Stephan F.-Senior Data & AI Engineer | LLM/RAG Specialist | Cloud & Graph Architect
Check rate
Experience
AI & Data Engineer - Azure Enterprise AI and Knowledge Engineering
IB Schlegel - King
Designed and developed an Azure-based AI and data platform transforming distributed project documents into searchable, structured knowledge for an enterprise AI assistant. Combined incremental document processing, hybrid keyword/vector retrieval, knowledge graph extraction, and conversational AI for Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Implemented Python document-processing pipelines for PDF, Word, Outlook and text files; Azure Cosmos DB lifecycle management; Azure AI Search; Azure AI Foundry and Azure OpenAI; identity-aware retrieval with Microsoft Entra ID; project authorization; a TypeScript Microsoft Agents SDK agent; Pulumi infrastructure; resilient scheduling, retry and diagnostic tooling. Technology stack: Python, TypeScript, FastAPI, Pydantic, Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, Azure Cosmos DB, Blob/Table Storage, Container Apps/Jobs, Service Bus, Key Vault, Entra ID, Docker, Pulumi, pytest, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
AI Platform Engineer / Cloud Software Architect
Saganode
Designed and implemented a cloud-based AI platform combining Neo4j knowledge graphs, vector search, LLM orchestration, and multimodal content generation. Worked across React/TypeScript interfaces, Python backend services, AWS infrastructure, identity management and usage-based billing. Implemented graph-based retrieval, provenance tracking, temporal and causal graph exploration, asynchronous multimedia workflows, MCP integration through Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Cognito JWT/OAuth authentication, React graph explorers and streaming chat, AWS CDK/Amplify infrastructure, Stripe billing, and backend, TypeScript and Playwright testing. Core stack: Python, TypeScript, React, Neo4j/Cypher, PostgreSQL, Docker, AWS CDK, Amplify, EC2, Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, Cognito, SES, Bedrock AgentCore, Stripe, MCP, OAuth 2.0/JWT, Playwright and Jest.
AI / Data Architecture Advisory
Cyber Reserve Working Group Hamburg - Public Sector (NIS2 Context)
Advised on data, knowledge and AI architecture within a highly regulated environment shaped by NIS2, cyber defense requirements and inter-agency collaboration. Developed concepts for structured knowledge management, data governance, secure information exchange and auditable AI systems. Proposed a multi-layer, multi-domain, policy-based GraphMart architecture with separated domains and access boundaries, policy-driven data access and transformation, and structured relationships across agencies.
AI Governance & Knowledge Systems Architecture (Independent / Applied Research)
Sol4Data
Designed and developed a transparent, audit-first framework for AI-assisted systems and complex digital processes, focusing on traceability, accountability and operational integrity. Defined claims and decision artifacts, provenance and data lineage, session tracking, state transitions and validation loops. Designed governance models aligned with the EU AI Act, DORA, SOC2, copyright and liability considerations, and developed transparent, controllable and observable glass-box AI architecture patterns for enterprise workflows, AI/LLM pipelines and knowledge systems.
AI / NLP / Knowledge Systems
Insurance - Claims & Case Analysis
Designed and implemented an AI-based case assistant for insurance claims, focusing on causal reasoning, document understanding and structured knowledge extraction. Developed causal chain analysis for accident and regression cases; built multi-format document ingestion and OCR workflows; evaluated classical NLP, LLM analysis, RAG strategies and agent frameworks; designed hybrid retrieval with Elasticsearch and embeddings; proposed Neo4j for relationship modeling and causal reasoning; developed a Streamlit chatbot; evaluated analytical LLM methods; deployed via Jenkins to OpenShift/OpenStage. Technologies: Streamlit, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, Hugging Face, Python, OpenAI API and Jenkins.
Data Engineering / AI Prototyping
AWS PoC / Content Analytics
Evaluated dashboard approaches and built a prototype dashboard in Streamlit using Google Search data and HTTP logs stored in AWS S3/Athena. Integrated web search and marketing/blog data; designed pipelines for image knowledge extraction and evaluation using LLM, Graph and Vector RAG. Built an AWS Amplify service integrating Mistral and Replicate, with Neo4j persistence and text-to-graph extraction. Evaluated Smol Agents, LangGraph and LangChain; implemented custom Graph RAG with Neo4j; deployed with AWS CDK and GitLab CI/CD. Technologies: AWS Amplify, S3, Athena, Neo4j, Pandas, Streamlit, Mistral API, Replicate API, GitLab CI/CD and AWS CDK.
Knowledge Graph Architecture / Data Engineering / NLP
Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
Worked in a security-cleared (SÜ2) and BSI-compliant environment, developing AI and knowledge-graph approaches for forensic analysis. Designed and evaluated LLM-based information extraction workflows and compared classical NLP with LLM-based extraction. Designed a Neo4j forensic knowledge graph based on POLE, implemented pipelines mapping heterogeneous raw data to graph entities and relationships, and applied degree analysis, Louvain community detection and triangle counting. Built Pandas/Polars ingestion pipelines from SQL dumps, Kafka streaming ingestion, GeoIP enrichment, domain extraction and URL analysis. Implemented NER, topic detection, event extraction, language detection and relation extraction. Developed a Streamlit LLM/chat interface and deployed applications in a BSI-compliant Cloud Foundry environment on Kubernetes with GitLab CI/CD.
Data & AI Engineering / Architecture Advisory
Siemens - Digital Platform
Designed and implemented data pipelines and AI-driven services for content analysis and personalization on AWS. Built daily AWS Glue/PySpark and Athena pipelines with CloudWatch monitoring; integrated lookup and enrichment data; developed a GraphQL Apollo API on Lambda; integrated OpenSearch and Adobe data; implemented readability scoring and SageMaker text classification; designed a text quality analysis framework; analyzed personalization and content delivery; conducted feasibility studies, architectural concepts, Athena Query Federation evaluation, stakeholder alignment, cost analysis and optimization.
Data Platform Engineering
BMW - Connected Vehicle Data Lake
Led development and stabilization of a large-scale AWS-based data lake platform processing 30+ billion records. Designed distributed Glue/PySpark, S3, Athena, SQS/SNS and Lambda pipelines supporting daily processing, historical reprocessing and housekeeping. Refactored vehicle master data pipelines covering 7 datasets, approximately 35 tables and more than 1B records/day. Diagnosed circular pipeline dependencies and performance degradation from large JSON payloads and HTTP-based connectors; re-architected dependencies and data flow. Implemented automated restart and recovery, unit testing, production issue analysis, cost optimization, feasibility studies, requirements analysis, architecture and documentation.
Data Architecture / Data Engineering
Deutsche Bahn Vertrieb
Designed and implemented a cloud-based AWS data platform for passenger revenue analytics. Designed a multi-layer warehouse with staging, core, analytics and output layers; built ETL for daily processing, historical reprocessing, raw-data reloads and housekeeping; processed approximately 1M+ records per day; implemented Lambda/S3 event-driven job control; optimized Redshift distribution styles, sort keys and WLM; implemented AWS Batch with Python and Docker, DynamoDB metadata and hybrid OpenShift on AWS; managed GitLab CI/CD pipelines for 15+ projects.
Data Analyst / Business Analyst / Data Engineer
Opel/GM
Designed and implemented a data-driven inbound logistics cost model based on freight rates, goods receipts and master data. Calculated cost per vehicle, shipment, transport and material; performed SQL and R analysis to derive business rules and conduct error and plausibility analysis. Analyzed logistics networks and supplier structures, coordinated with Logistics, Network Planning and Finance, designed the end-to-end IT concept and handed over the production-ready solution.
Interface Specification / Data Analysis / IT Concept
BMW
Authored interface specifications, conducted SQL-based data analysis, captured and analyzed requirements, documented and modeled solutions, and created IT concepts covering architecture, interfaces and operations. Supported tool selection for change-data-capture. Analyzed materials control, logistics planning and the SAP-DWH interface; investigated Teradata SQL, ETL modules, views and data models across source, inbound and DWH layers.
Time Tracking
BMW
- Prepared and completed go-live readiness and test management; authored operating manual
- Analyzed deployment and operations issues
BI / DWH Architecture / Operations Enablement
BMW
Introduced Teradata/Tableau BI/DWH environment (~80 interfaces): architecture analysis, scaling/performance, and 7-year TCO across 6 alternatives (SAP HANA, Teradata, Oracle 12c, Tableau, QlikView, Lumira).
- Supported concepts (high-level/functional/IT), interface analysis, and coordination with external data suppliers; advised on information security and personal data protection; initiated and automated the operations process; managed change and incidents.
- Coordinated testing (test cases & monitoring); led code reviews, data quality analyses, and remediation proposals.
Technologies used: Teradata, Tableau, Oracle Exadata 12c, Postgres, SAP HANA, AWS Redshift, QlikView, Lumira, Informatica.
Strategic Reporting – Pre-Series
BMW
- Coordinated changes and authored operating handbook for go-live readiness & operations enablement
- Analyzed deployment/operations issues and documented operational measures
- Worked with SAP BW (process chains, DSOs)
Requirements Analysis / Process Modeling
BMW
Produced high-level and functional concepts: process analysis & description, requirements capture & analysis, process modeling; translated requirements and process models into user guidance and data stewardship workflows.
Technologies used: Process modeling, UML.
Business Analysis / BI Architecture
BMW
Analyzed processes and IT architecture; ran performance tests; captured functional requirements (costs, quality, provisions).
- Proposed BI/analytics solutions and a new architecture; delivered prototypes in QlikView, SPSS Modeler, and Java EJB.
Technologies used: QlikView, SPSS Modeler, Java EJB.
Business Analysis / BI Architecture
BMW
Analyzed data model and supply of a QlikView application in QA; built UI and analytical requirements in QlikView 11 with VBScript components; implemented country-specific data views based on user (NTUser).
Technologies used: QlikView 11, VBScript.
Hybrid AI Storytelling Platform
Saganode
- Designed and built a hybrid AI storytelling/world-building platform combining knowledge graphs, LLMs, and custom entropy-shaping heuristics
- Implemented multi-layer graph spaces (temporal, causal, conceptual) and Graph RAG; integrated generative services for text, image, and music
- Developed React-based graph explorer for universe/saga/story navigation
- Managed security and deployment: AWS AppSync/Amplify back ends; REST/GraphQL endpoints; CI/CD; AWS CDK; Cognito/IAM
Recommendation Engine
Obylo
- Explored graph database approaches and semantic BI on top of Neo4j; built ETL for graph ingestion; researched scaling/latency/IO constraints
- Developed early social VR experiments using Unity/Blender with Akka/C#; built search and recommendation components for complex data
Finance Process Analysis / Data Flow Analysis
Deutsche Telekom
Analyzed impacts of the One.ERP Integration on DWH-T systems; mapped data flows across SAP and BW landscapes. Assessed revenue processing, month-end close, dunning/receivables, logistics, sub-ledgers and billing/invoicing. Prepared knowledge materials on controlling, treasury, accounting and financial reporting differences under IFRS/HGB; clarified KPIs including OCF, ROCE, CapEx and EBITDA.
Senior Consultant / Business Analysis / Project Management
Multiple Institutions
- Senior consultant for group-level management reporting: high-level and functional concepts, requirements alignment, project management
- Advisory on reporting and BI flows supporting controlling and treasury needs; OSPlus migrations and data integration
- Designed cash-flow prototypes and advised on cash management solutions and processes
- Conducted business analysis and prototype design for closing workflows and financial reporting
- Developed business plan, liquidity planning, and contribution margin calculation for an e-commerce startup; market model based on exchange-style mechanics
BI / DWH Architecture Advisory
NordLB
Consulting across BI/DWH architecture and reporting for banking functions with emphasis on Controlling and risk-related reporting.
Consultant
Independent/Freelance
- Managed projects across banking, media, and telecom; roles in project management, software engineering, and product management
Co-founder and Manager
Scopas Medien AG / FunPage
Co-founded and managed agency operations; production planning; delivered multiple client projects; software & multimedia engineering.
Industry experience
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Experienced in Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Telecommunication, Banking and Finance, Automotive, and Retail.
Business area experience
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Experienced in Information Technology, Product Development, Business Intelligence, Project Management, Research and Development, and Production.
Summary
Consultant and engineer with 20+ years in data engineering, AI/LLM integration, and cloud architectures. Specialized in scalable data pipelines, knowledge graphs, and retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG). Deep background in NLP/LLM engineering, ontology integration, semantic enrichment, and graph algorithms. Track record across automotive, finance, telecom, public sector, and law enforcement. Recent delivery includes permission-aware enterprise AI on Azure and a full-stack AI platform on AWS, covering React/TypeScript interfaces, Python services, identity integration and usage-based billing.
- IB Schlegel - King: Developed an Azure-based enterprise knowledge platform combining incremental document processing, hybrid retrieval, knowledge graphs and an identity-aware agent for Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
- AI Architecture & Regulation: Evaluated AI agent frameworks and retrieval architectures under emerging EU regulations (AI Act, DORA, CRA, Product Liability Directive), focusing on transparency, provenance, and auditability as core system design principles.
- Saganode (Founder): Built a cloud-based AI platform with knowledge graphs, vector search, LLM orchestration, multimodal workflows, React/TypeScript, AWS infrastructure, MCP integration, identity management and Stripe billing.
- Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA): Developed BSI-compliant knowledge graph pipelines with POLE-based entity modeling; implemented advanced NLP (NER, topic/event extraction, language detection) for forensic analysis.
- Insurance (AI Case Assistant): Designed an LLM-based case analysis system with hybrid RAG (Elasticsearch + embeddings) and causal chain modeling for structured reasoning in claims processing.
- BMW Connected Vehicle Data Lake: Engineered and stabilized large-scale AWS data pipelines (Glue/PySpark) processing 30B+ records, including failure recovery, architecture refactoring, and cost optimization.
- Deutsche Bahn Data Warehouse: Designed a Redshift-based multi-layer data warehouse with structured ETL pipelines; optimized performance and managed CI/CD across 15+ projects.
Skills
- Data Engineering & Cloud: Aws (Glue, Athena, S3, Lambda, Redshift, Sagemaker, Amplify, Cdk, Bedrock Agentcore); Azure (Ai Foundry, Openai, Ai Search, Cosmos Db, Blob/Table Storage, Container Apps/Jobs, Entra Id, Key Vault); Python, Pyspark, Pulumi, Docker, Ci/Cd.
- Ai & Llms: Openai, Mistral, Gemini, Claude, Amazon Nova; Hybrid Keyword/Vector/Graph Retrieval, Rag, Embeddings, Knowledge Extraction, Provenance, Agent Orchestration, Microsoft Agents Sdk, Teams / Microsoft 365 Copilot, Mcp, Nlp And Multimodal Generation.
- Graph Analytics: Knowledge Graph Modeling, Graph Algorithms (Community Detection, Triangle Count, Louvain), Graph Reasoning, Semantic Enrichment, Graphql
- Application Engineering & Integration: Python, Typescript, React, Fastapi, Pydantic, Oauth 2.0/Jwt, Cognito, Stripe, Asynchronous Workers, Websocket Streaming, Pytest, Jest And Playwright.
- Finance & Controlling Expertise: Ifrs/Hgb Accounting, Controlling, Treasury, Cash Management, Risk Controlling, Financial Reporting
- Ai/Llm Usage For Research, Analysis, Ideation, Proofs-Of-Concept, And Development, Using Advanced Understanding Of Llms And Genai To Solve Complex Problems
Languages
Education
University of Applied Sciences Furtwangen
Diploma in Business Informatics (FH) · Business Informatics · Furtwangen, Germany
Werner Heisenberg School
Abitur (German A-levels) · Rüsselsheim, Germany
Statistics
Experience
Global experience
Expertise
Qualifications
Profile
Frequently asked questions
Have questions? Find more information here.
Stephan is based in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Stephan speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).
Stephan has at least 31 years of experience. During this time, Stephan has worked in at least 24 different roles and for 18 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 3 months. Note that Stephan may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.
Based on recent experience, Stephan would be well-suited for roles such as: AI & Data Engineer - Azure Enterprise AI and Knowledge Engineering, AI Platform Engineer / Cloud Software Architect, AI / Data Architecture Advisory.
Stephan's most recent position is AI & Data Engineer - Azure Enterprise AI and Knowledge Engineering at IB Schlegel - King.
In recent years, Stephan has worked for IB Schlegel - King, Saganode, Cyber Reserve Working Group Hamburg - Public Sector (NIS2 Context), Sol4Data, and Insurance - Claims & Case Analysis.
Stephan is most experienced in industries like Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, and Telecommunication. Stephan also has some experience in Banking and Finance, Automotive, and Retail.
Stephan is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Business Intelligence. Stephan also has some experience in Project Management, Research and Development, and Production.
Stephan has recently worked in industries like Information Technology, Media and Entertainment, and Government and Administration.
Stephan has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology, Product Development, and Business Intelligence.
Stephan holds a Master in Business Informatics from University of Applied Sciences Furtwangen.
Stephan is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.
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Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 16 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
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