Hire the best Design Engineers in Germany matched in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
Need product design, CAD development, prototyping support, or detail engineering for mechanical parts and assemblies? Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers who can work within your process and tools.
About the role
What they do
Design engineers turn requirements into buildable parts, assemblies, and technical drawings. They shape products from early concept to production-ready detail, then support the handoff to manufacturing, procurement, and quality.
- Create 3D CAD models, assemblies, and drawing packages
- Define materials, tolerances, and functional interfaces
- Support prototypes, design reviews, and engineering changes
- Document parts lists, variants, and release-ready files
Core skills
A strong design engineer combines product thinking with precise technical execution. They need solid CAD habits, a structured way of working, and the ability to discuss trade-offs with mechanical, electrical, and production teams.
- Mechanical design and detailing
- CAD systems such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, or AutoCAD
- DFM and DFA thinking
- Tolerance analysis, materials, and manufacturing constraints
- Clean documentation and version control
Where they fit
Companies bring in a freelance design engineer when internal teams are at capacity or a project needs focused support. That often happens in new product development, redesigns, tooling changes, plant engineering, or when a legacy product must be updated without slowing the roadmap.
In Germany, this work often sits close to industrial machinery, automotive supply chains, consumer products, and equipment manufacturers. Remote collaboration is common for CAD work and documentation, while on-site time can help with workshops, measurements, prototype builds, and design reviews.
What good looks like
Strong professionals do more than model parts. They ask the right questions early, understand how a design will be made, and catch issues before they become expensive.
- Translate vague input into clear technical solutions
- Keep drawings consistent and manufacturing-ready
- Spot risks in interfaces, assembly, and sourcing
- Work smoothly with engineers, suppliers, and production
- Stay practical under changing requirements
Typical deliverables
A design engineer may deliver concept sketches, CAD assemblies, detailed drawings, BOMs, update packages, and prototype support. They may also prepare revision notes, design rationales, and technical input for approvals or handovers.
For companies, the key is not only clean files but also dependable progress. The best freelance design engineers can step into an existing process, understand the product context quickly, and keep the design moving without creating rework.
When to hire freelance
Freelance support makes sense when you need specialist capacity for a defined scope, fast backup during a peak phase, or help with a specific tool chain. It also works well when the role is needed for project-based engineering rather than a permanent seat.
If you need a mechanical design engineer, CAD engineer, or product design engineer for a concrete delivery, look for someone who can work with your standards and produce files your team can release with confidence.
Meet FRATCH Design Engineers
Thomas Peter
Lifting Device Designer
Last position:
Lifting Device Designer at TP-Produktdesign
- Design of a 3-point quick coupling for tractor lifting attachment
- Development of a bracket for a tow flange device
Mustafa Kederoglu
Senior Network Design and Engineer
Last position:
Senior Network Design and Engineer at Helaba
Designed and specified the technical network integration of a new business-critical application system (MUREX) in the capital markets area in a complex interface and outsourcing environment.
Created component specifications, a catalog of measures and an implementation plan.
Ensured proper integration of the developed results in line with the bank’s framework: IT compliance, IT security, change and release management.
Selected and integrated a new service provider for the bank; moved critical bank applications to the provider.
Designed, implemented and supported the new Cisco network and Fortinet security setup at the service provider data center.
Acted as technical interface between the bank, service providers and consulting partners.
Supported and further developed the network and security infrastructure (clients, servers, networks); performed error analysis and implemented solutions within agreed service levels.
Analyzed and diagnosed all security and network failures, glitches and malfunctions.
Initiated continuous improvements to ensure efficient resource use and acceptable response times for users.
Provided network support in a financial services organization and prepared operational changes on production banking network infrastructure for both large and small projects within strict change management discipline.
Designed, defined, tested, governed and improved engineering standards.
Performed the role of network architect for medium to large projects involving team resources.
Cedric Tiogo
B2B Freelance Design Engineer for Special-Purpose Machinery
Last position:
B2B Freelance Design Engineer for Special-Purpose Machinery at FEM-Composites GmbH
- Cost estimation for a hydraulic system, taking into account the costs over the entire product life cycle and optimizing the technical specifications.
Mohsen Najah
Freelance CAD Designer
Last position:
Freelance CAD Designer at Thielmann Ucon GmbH
- Design of an IBC container unloading station
- Creation of manufacturing and detail drawings
- Support for the purchasing team
Hüseyin Özgün Gönüllü
Freelance Mechanical Engineer - CAD Designer
Last position:
Freelance Mechanical Engineer - Designer at Gridesign
Conception and detailed design of mechanical systems.
CAD modeling, drawings and calculations.
FEM, motion analysis and reverse engineering.
Preparation of technical proposals and claim management.
AIRBUS A-320 Assembly Station.
AIRBUS A-350 Manual Assembly Station.
FORD Truck R&D Prototype Manufacturing Station.
Michael Messer
Design Engineer
Last position:
Design Engineer at Schüssler Technik GmbH
- Development and design of drives with support from product management
- Technical support for purchasing
- Creation of requirements and functional specifications, FMEAs, calculations and verifications with CAE, test protocols
- Communication with suppliers, customers, production, assembly, quality management and product management
- Testing products and error analysis
- Support for marketing activities (e.g. trade shows)
Andrej Becker
Lead UX Design Engineer
Last position:
Lead UX Design Engineer at Journexx GmbH
- Leading, designing, and developing the UX and UI strategy and implementing it for the platform
- Creating style guides and design systems in Figma
- Creating a generic end-to-end layout structure for big data cockpits in Figma and Sass (CSS, design tokens)
- Workflows, wireframes, user research, and rapid prototyping
- Preparing and facilitating workshops and discoveries
- Integrating designs and layouts into existing frontend templates
- Prototyping (low-/mid-/high-fidelity) of various apps for journalists and publishers
- Developing showcases for iOS and Android, design thinking, qualitative and quantitative user testing, and A/B testing
- Frontend development in close collaboration with design teams
- Active change management in the publishing and journalism sector and with stakeholders
- Company-wide communication and info hub for teams
- Raising awareness and getting buy-in for digitalization and new products
- Creating concepts and designs for gamification elements on the platform
- Convincing major industry players (e.g., WAN-IFRA) about new concepts and revenue streams
- Developing new cloud-native apps and revenue strategies
- Preparing and creating various materials for change processes
- Creating presentations, mini-apps, and info materials to support change campaigns
- Leading a total of three teams
Ahmet Demir
Electrical Designer / Hardware Planner EPLAN 2024
Last position:
Electrical Designer / Hardware Planner EPLAN 2024 at Horiba GmbH
- Planning and development of electrical systems for test benches and alternative drive systems
- Designing a battery test station specifically for electric cars
- Specifying and designing controls, following standards, legal regulations, planning guidelines, and customer specs
- Sizing and selecting electrical components
- Creating electrical schematics and macros and maintaining parts data with EPLAN P8 Version Interface 2024
- Updating and adapting PLC programs
- Preparing SISTEMA calculations
- Supporting assembly and commissioning
- Ordering electrical components in SAP
- Ensuring compliance with common standards and regulations
- Sizing and cost calculation of high-current cables (1200 V/1000 A for AC and DC)
Bernd Schamberger
Diplom-Ingenieur, Development Engineer, Senior Design Engineer
Last position:
Diplom-Ingenieur, Development Engineer, Senior Design Engineer at Microvision GmbH
- Development of optomechanical components and assemblies in collaboration with systems and optics development, considering feasibility, space requirements, handling, manufacturing aspects and series production suitability
- Preparation of mechanical studies and consulting on studies to meet customer requirements, detailed design and custom fabrication for proof of concept of initial active samples
- Concepts for injection molding tools for first samples and series production
- Prototype designs, prototype manufacturing and CNC small series production
- Design studies for new generations of LiDAR sensors and implementation of specific customer requests, considering conventional and future sensor technologies
- Design of inspection, measuring and testing fixtures, drawing derivation, awarding and supervision of production
- Procurement of special accessories
- Derivations for marketing with renderings, turntable animations, explosion simulations and illustrations
- Assistance with static calibration and LiDAR testing
- Laboratory setups as well as general simulations for lab applications, software-assisted alignment
- Setup and maintenance of a company PDM
Reuf Kadic
Independent mechanical development engineer, head of design and development of the pipedeck
Last position:
Independent mechanical development engineer, head of design and development of the pipedeck at Herrenknecht Vertikal GmbH
- Development and design of a new oil drilling machine for the Beatrice oil rig in Scotland
- Concept design of the pipe-overdeck platform with crane, total load 200 tonnes
- Static FEM and CFD flow analysis to ensure safe discharge of oil-contaminated wastewater
- Planning, calculation and design of the concept
- Management of 5 designers
- CAD: CREO, Model Manager, SAP
- FKM, VDI 2230 and Euro Code 3
Vladimir Grega
Design Engineer (freelance)
Last position:
Design Engineer (freelance) at BITZER Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH
- As part of the development of a new series of screw compressors, with a special focus on the design of a new electrical terminal box:
- Taking over the analysis of the design requirements and the relevant documents as well as CAD data
- Developing a well-thought-out concept for the design of the electrical terminal box
- Considering technical, economic, and safety-related requirements
- Compliance with safety regulations and IP protection requirements
- Taking into account design guidelines as well as assembly and user-friendliness
- Considering UL certification, plastic injection-mold-friendly design with Siemens NX, supplier requirements, cost-effectiveness, and scalability for the entire series
- Subsequent precise and targeted implementation of the design based on the developed concept
Ahmed Sioud
Electrical Hardware Designer
Last position:
Electrical Hardware Designer at Dematic GmbH
- Planning and designing hardware components for stacker cranes
- Creating engineering drawings and storing parts lists in SAP
- Maintaining and updating old and new circuit diagrams in EPLAN P8
- Managing master data up to creating macros for parts and assemblies
- Technical clarifications with suppliers, customers, and other departments
- Supporting the preparation of quotes and cost estimates
Alexandre Ferreira
Production Design Engineer
Last position:
Production Design Engineer at FRAWOModule
- Led design and production optimisation of hempcrete and lightweight concrete modular systems, improving quality and reducing waste.
- Designed factory layouts under budget, enabling efficient prefabrication workflows.
- Delivered pilot projects with company systems, validating performance and contractor adoption.
Klaus Albrecht
CAD Designer CSWP
Last position:
CAD Designer at ALCON Design & Development
Premium designs & premium service
I am your problem solver - rely on over 35 years of successfully implemented projects in custom machine and fixture construction.
Bachelor Professional (DQR 6) Certified Welding Specialist Certified Electrical Technician Certified SolidWorks Professional - Mechanical Design Certified SolidWorks Professional Advanced - Sheet Metal Certified SolidWorks Professional Advanced - Drawing Tools Certified SolidWorks Associate Simulation (FEM)
Design & development of Custom machines Fixtures Tools and equipment Intralogistics Machine enclosures
FEM simulations Conversion of old 2D drawings/parts into 3D Documentation / technical drawings GPS-compliant
SolidWorks Design 2026 Premium (current maintenance contract) SolidWorks 2026 Visualize (current maintenance contract) Workstation with certified hardware DIN A0 plotter HP DesignJet
Andreas Ewert
Team leader in design
Last position:
Design Engineer at anonym
- Creating design concepts
- Designing marble components
- Creating design elements
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Design Engineers statistics
Typical experience
25 years
Average project duration
4.6 years
Certifications per freelancer
1
Top business areas
Product Development, Production, Project Management
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction
Most common languages
German, English, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
73%
Master's degree or higher
41%
Doctorate
3%
Salary / Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Design Engineers & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
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.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? See our quick guide to FRATCH
A Design Engineer turns product or machine requirements into technical designs that can be built and released. That usually includes CAD models, drawings, tolerances, material choices, and support during prototype or production handoff. The exact scope depends on whether the project is early concept work, redesign, or detail engineering.
A strong Design Engineer should be fluent in CAD, understand manufacturing constraints, and communicate clearly with engineering and production teams. Look for solid drawing practice, sensible tolerance thinking, and a practical approach to design for manufacturing and assembly. They should also be able to work in your documentation and release process without slowing it down.
A Design Engineer usually carries more responsibility than a pure CAD designer because the role includes technical decisions, not just modeling. Compared with a mechanical engineer, the focus is often narrower and more hands-on around product geometry, detail design, and release work. In practice, the title can overlap, so the real difference is the actual scope of work.
A Design Engineer is a good freelance fit when the need is tied to a project, a product change, or a temporary workload spike. It also makes sense when you need rare tool expertise or short-term support without changing team structure. If the work is ongoing and central to day-to-day operations, a permanent hire may be better.
Yes, much of a Design Engineer's work can be done remotely, especially CAD modeling, drawing updates, and technical documentation. On-site time is still useful for measurements, prototype builds, supplier meetings, and design reviews. For German clients, remote work is common, but clear communication and access to your standards matter.
A Design Engineer often works in SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, Creo, AutoCAD, or similar CAD systems. Depending on the project, they may also use PDM or PLM systems, drawing standards, and calculation tools for fit, tolerance, or mechanism checks. The most important point is not the logo on the software, but whether the person can deliver in your environment.
Review past drawings, model quality, and how they explain design choices. A good Design Engineer can show work that is buildable, logically structured, and easy to hand over. Also test how they react to changes, constraints, and manufacturing feedback, because that often reveals the real level.
A Design Engineer working in Germany should be ready to collaborate with structured engineering teams and clear release processes. It helps to understand how German industrial clients usually work: defined scopes, detailed documentation, and close coordination with production or suppliers. Language needs vary, but technical English is often enough if the team operates internationally.
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
