Santhosh Kannan-Freelance Software Engineer
Check rate
Experience
Freelance Software Engineer
Zalando SE
- Drive migration of enterprise authorization platform from Styra DAS to open-source OPA via Skipper (Zalando's Golang-based ingress proxy) integration
- Optimise k8s resources and integrate native Prometheus metrics with OPA
- Migrate from internal monitoring solution to Prometheus CRs + Dash0
Tech Stack: Java/Kotlin, Golang, Python, Spring Boot, AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenTofu, Prometheus, Grafana
Freelance Software Engineer
Zalando SE
- Contribute to Skipper (Golang) OPA integration, enabling decentralized authorization at the edge
- Operate enterprise-scale Authorization as a Service platform (Styra DAS/OPA) on AWS EKS
- Incorporate Monitoring and Observability best practices for Styra DAS
Tech Stack: Java/Kotlin, Golang, Python, Spring Boot, AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, OpenTofu, Prometheus, Grafana
Freelance Platform Engineer
apinity GmbH
- Bootstrap platform components and enhance Infrastructure as Code implementations
- Develop custom Kubernetes operators (Golang/Rust) for automated tenant onboarding, resource provisioning & cert-renewals
- Build a Golang CLI to automate Azure PostgreSQL Single Server to Flexible Server migrations
- Lead migration initiatives toward GitOps methodologies
- Incorporate OPA Gatekeeper for enforcement of security policies
Tech Stack: Azure, OPA, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Java/Kotlin, Golang, Rust
Freelance Software Engineer
MediaMarktSaturn
- Delivered full-stack features across frontend and backend systems
- Migrated applications to cloud-native architectures on GCP and Kubernetes
- Mentored development team on GCP and Kubernetes best practices
- Supported organizational migration to GitOps workflows
Tech Stack: GCP, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Golang, React/TypeScript, Java/Kotlin, Spring
Senior DevOps Engineer
smava GmbH
- Facilitated datacenter-to-AWS migration for legacy applications
- Developed internal tooling for the infrastructure automation
- Optimized Kubernetes infrastructure, monitoring, and end-to-end testing processes
- Enhanced team capabilities through feature development support
Tech Stack: AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Golang, Ansible
Freelance Software Engineer
Zalando SE
- Developed new features using Kotlin and Scala within microservices architecture
- Provided technical mentorship on AWS, Kubernetes, and Spring ecosystem
- Contributed to cross-functional team development initiatives
- Tech Stack: Java/Kotlin/Scala, Spring Boot, AWS, Kubernetes, TypeScript, React.js, Rust, Prometheus, Grafana
Freelance Software Engineer
MediaMarktSaturn
- Enhanced team capabilities through feature development and implementation
- Implemented retry mechanism leveraging Kafka state store for improved reliability
- Integrated Prometheus metrics across services with Istio service mesh
- Tech Stack: Kotlin, Koin, Http4k, GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, Istio, Prometheus, Grafana, Kafka Streams
Lead Engineer (Freelance)
Heycar
- Led platform expansion to new geographic markets
- Architected and implemented AWS/Kubernetes infrastructure for regional rollout
- Designed multi-tenancy solutions for core platform services
- Integrated third-party services for stock management and marketing automation
Tech Stack: Java/Kotlin, Golang, Spring Boot, AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, TypeScript, React.js, Next.js
Freelance Software Engineer
Zalando SE
- Architected and implemented core services in Kotlin
- Migrated legacy applications to modern Kotlin-based architecture
- Optimized frontend deployment pipeline using CloudFront and S3
- Developed automation tools using Rust for PR management
Tech Stack: Java/Kotlin/Scala, Spring Boot, AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, TypeScript, React.js, Next.js, Rust
Senior Software Engineer
ImmobilienScout24 GmbH
- Integrated multiple payment providers and payment method implementations
- Led application migration from on-premises datacenter to AWS cloud
- Modernized frontend stack from legacy JSP/Angular to TypeScript/React.js
- Automated build pipeline migration from TeamCity to Jenkins using Rust tooling
- Tech Stack: Java 11, Spring Boot, AWS SDK, Kinesis, TypeScript, React.js (Next.js), Docker, ELK Stack, Grafana, Prometheus, CloudWatch
Senior Java Developer
ProfitBricks GmbH
- Refractored legacy codebase and eliminated deprecated framework dependencies
- Resolved critical 4-year-old memory leak through performance profiling and GC tuning
- Contributed to Terraform provider development for ProfitBricks Cloud platform
- Established automated CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins
Tech Stack: Java 7/JEE, Golang, GlassFish, PostgreSQL, Dropwizard, Kubernetes, Terraform, Jenkins
Lead/Senior Software Engineer
CSC
- Delivered software solutions across multiple client projects and geographic locations
- Implemented automation solutions and established development best practices
- Provided technical leadership and emergency support for critical systems
- Tech Stack: JVM ecosystem, ALSB 2.5, WebLogic 9.2, J2ME
Industry experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.
Experienced in Information Technology, Retail, Real Estate, Fashion, Banking and Finance, and Automotive.
Business area experience
See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.
Experienced in Information Technology, Product Development, and Operations.
Summary
Platform and Software Engineer — or, as I like to call myself, a Generalist — with two decades of experience building and operating production systems. Specialized in Kubernetes, Infrastructure-as-Code, and multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), with a strong polyglot engineering background. Proven track record delivering cloud and platform migrations, DevOps automation, and technical mentorship across fintech, e-commerce, and automotive industries.
Skills
- Programming Languages: Java, Kotlin, Scala, Rust, Golang, Python, Typescript, Javascript (Node.Js)
- Cloud Platforms: Aws, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (Gcp)
- Container & Orchestration: Kubernetes, Docker, Istio, Helm, Linked, Open Policy Agent, Gatekeeper
- Infrastructure As Code: Terraform, Cloudformation, Cdk, Pulumi, Saltstack, Ansible
- Backend Frameworks: Spring Boot, Dropwizard, Play Framework, Http4k, Ktor, Hibernate
- Event Streaming & Messaging: Apache Kafka, Aws Kinesis, Sns, Sqs, Azure Eventbus, Rabbitmq
- Frontend Technologies: React.Js, Next.Js, Typescript, Angular, Svelte, Jquery
- Databases: Postgresql, Oracle, Mysql, Db2, Mongodb
- Ci/Cd & Build Tools: Jenkins, Github Actions, Circleci, Teamcity, Maven, Gradle, Sbt, Cargo, Gitlab
- Monitoring & Observability: Kube Prometheus Stack, Grafana, Elk/Efk Stack, Datadog, Cloudwatch, Azure Monitor
- Web Services & Integration: Rest, Soap, Graphql, Esb, Json, Xml, Web Services
- Application Servers: Tomcat, Weblogic, Websphere, Jboss, Glassfish
- Ai-Assisted Development: Claude Code (Claude.Md, Skills, Mcp), Github Copilot, Opencode, Model Context Protocol
- Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Devops, Gitops
- Versioning: Git, Svn, Perforce, Mercurial
Languages
Education
PSG College of Technology
Master of Computer Applications, MCA · Computer Applications · Coimbatore, India
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Santhosh is based in Berlin, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
Santhosh speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).
Santhosh has at least 21 years of experience. During this time, Santhosh has worked in at least 7 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 9 months. Note that Santhosh may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Santhosh would be well-suited for roles such as: Freelance Software Engineer, Freelance Platform Engineer, Senior DevOps Engineer.
Santhosh's most recent position is Freelance Software Engineer at Zalando SE.
In recent years, Santhosh has worked for Zalando SE, apinity GmbH, MediaMarktSaturn, and smava GmbH.
Santhosh is most experienced in industries like Information Technology, Retail, and Real Estate. Santhosh also has some experience in Fashion, Banking and Finance, and Automotive.
Santhosh is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Operations.
Santhosh has recently worked in industries like Retail, Information Technology, and Fashion.
Santhosh has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Operations.
Santhosh attended PSG College of Technology for Computer Applications.
Santhosh is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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Average rates for similar positions
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The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 7 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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