Hire the best Development Engineers in Germany matched in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI
Bring in development engineers for product concepts, prototype builds, testing, and design changes across mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic work. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
About the role
What they do
A development engineer turns an idea into a buildable product or component. Depending on the industry, this can mean design engineering, R&D work, prototype support, or product development across mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic systems.
- Create concepts and technical specifications
- Design parts, assemblies, or functions
- Support prototypes, tests, and validation
- Prepare changes for production and release
Core skills
Strong development engineers combine analytical thinking with practical engineering judgment. They know how to move from requirement to solution, and how to balance function, cost, quality, and manufacturability.
- CAD and technical drawing
- Requirements analysis and documentation
- Testing, verification, and root-cause analysis
- Collaboration with manufacturing, quality, and procurement
- Clear communication with project leads and suppliers
Tools and methods
The tools depend on the discipline, but most projects rely on a mix of CAD systems, simulation, test setups, and structured development methods. In Germany, companies often expect solid documentation and disciplined handover to production or downstream engineering teams.
Common project situations include redesigns, capacity changes, component substitution, or the development of new variants for automotive, machinery, industrial equipment, or consumer products.
When to hire freelance
Companies bring in a freelance development engineer when internal teams are full, a project needs specialist knowledge, or a deadline is tied to a launch, audit, or customer request. Freelancers are also useful for temporary support during ramp-up, rework, or a specific development package.
They fit well when you need hands-on delivery, not a long hiring process. This is especially useful for on-site work in Germany when shop-floor access, lab testing, or close coordination with local teams is needed, but remote collaboration also works for concept and documentation tasks.
What strong work looks like
A strong development engineer does more than draw solutions. They ask the right questions early, spot risks before they become rework, and document decisions clearly so the next team can continue without gaps.
- Practical solutions that can be built and tested
- Clean technical documentation
- Early risk identification and structured problem solving
- Reliable coordination with design, production, and suppliers
Common profiles
The search terms vary. Companies often look for a development engineer, design engineer, product development engineer, or R&D engineer when they need the same kind of work. The exact title matters less than the ability to deliver the required engineering outcome.
In Germany, this role often sits close to mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or mechatronics. For some projects, a software or hardware development engineer may be the right fit if the work is tied to embedded systems, controls, or electronics integration.
Meet FRATCH Development Engineers
Rafal Kaniecki
Development Engineer
Last position:
Development Engineer at Hexagon Purus
- CAD system: SolidWorks 2021
- PDM database: HXP SolidWorks
- Product: mobile hydrogen refueling station
- Handling and implementing change requests
- Independently developing products for new applications
- Reviewing and approving production and assembly drawings
- Providing technical support to engineering service providers
- Collaborating closely with purchasing and quality teams
- Developing and achieving cost reduction goals
- Planning and executing concept validations
- Independently creating solution proposals and technical concepts for new ideas
- Establishing and maintaining supplier relationships
Vaibhav Ganvir
Development Engineer
Last position:
Expert Software & Functions Engineer at AVL Software & Functions GmbH
E-Drive Control
- Performed Model-Based Development (MBD) of application software (ASW) functions for E-Drive control using AVL & customer toolchains
- Translated product requirements into scalable, high-performance Simulink models for high-visibility projects, ensuring compliance with V-Model, AUTOSAR, ASPICE, ISO 26262, MAAB, MISRA, MXAM
- Automatic code generation (.c, .h, .arxml) using Embedded Coder
- Analyzed and derived system and ASW requirements, along with test cases, using PTC Integrity, CodeBeamer & PikeTec TPT
- Performed Verification & Validation of ASW using MIL/SIL/HIL, model/code coverage, exception report, req. & test case traceability
- Reviewed requirements, test cases and ASW, providing feedback to testing & development teams to drive bug fixes & improvements
- Created signals in Visu-IT-ADD & Vector DaVinci Developer Classic
- Documented ASW functions using Visu-IT-FunDoc & customer tool
- Updated enterprise architecture (EA) framework for system & ASW
- Created whitebox specifications for Inverter subsystem using Visio
- Commissioned & tested Inverters on Power HIL
- Mentored colleagues to foster collaboration & knowledge sharing
Hamza Khan
Academic Research Contributor in Health Sector (Volunteer)
Last position:
Academic Research Contributor in Health Sector (Volunteer)
- Acted as technical consultant to optimize multi-layer ensemble models combining ResNet, CNN-BiGRU-Attention, and XGBoost.
- Guided implementation of a Logistic Regression meta-learner to solve class imbalance problems, achieving 92.86% accuracy and 0.9644 AUC on PTB-XL and Chapman-Shaoxing datasets.
Birgit Maier
Market Research, Ghostwriting, Supplier Sourcing
Last position:
Database builder at mr-directory.com
- Building the world's largest database of market research service providers and survey platforms ([link]
Kimia Akbari
Researcher, Bachelor’s Thesis
Last position:
Researcher, Bachelor’s Thesis at Kharazmi University
Finalizing a comprehensive review article under the supervision of Dr. L. Karami titled "Challenges and Limitations of Computational Methods in Protein-Ligand Interaction Prediction."
Critically analyzing the evolution from classical docking and MD simulations to AI-driven models.
Focusing on scoring function inaccuracies, protein dynamics, and the necessity of interpretability through Explainable AI (XAI).
Fabiana Gabriela Nador
Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow
Last position:
Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at HIPS
- Conduct research in advanced materials and pharmaceutical chemistry
- Collaborate in international and interdisciplinary environments
Yannide Djache Ngangoum
Development Engineer Test Automation
Last position:
Development Engineer Test Automation at Vorwerk Elektrowerke GmbH & Co. KG
- Project: Thermomix Online Mock
- Manual execution of functional tests
- Implementation of automated end-to-end tests
- Execution of regression tests and analysis of results
- Further development of the QA website on the server using Express.js, Handlebars, and Node.js
- Further development of the test environment
- Technologies: Agile software development Scrum, Robot Framework, Python, JavaScript, Git (GitLab), VS Code, Jira, Confluence, Express.js, Handlebars, Phoenix/Elixir
Reza Saljooghi
Senior Development Engineer Driver Assistance Systems (Product Owner)
Last position:
Senior Development Engineer Driver Assistance Systems (Product Owner) at BMW Group (Contracted through Advanced Engineering GmbH)
- Developed lateral-safety steering functions across two service packs, serving as Product Owner for SP-2021 and Function Developer for SP-2025
- Defined and maintained system requirements, coordinated validation and testing, and ensured seamless integration into series vehicles across 29 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce models
- Drove a 62.5% reduction in Lane Keeping Assistant PPH (Problems Per Hundred) count from 9.6 (2023) to 3.6 (2025) in the US-IQS (Initial Quality Study) by enhancing function performance, contributing to a 7-position improvement in BMW’s overall brand ranking
- Managed collaboration with two main suppliers, resolving technical challenges and securing on-time milestones
- Delivered safety functions that supported multiple NCAP programs (EuroNCAP, ChinaNCAP, KoreaNCAP, JapanNCAP), with all models meeting or exceeding targets
Josef Sonnenstein
Development Engineer for Custom CNC Machine Tools
Last position:
Development Engineer for Custom CNC Machine Tools at Satisloh GmbH
- Development, design, and detailing of custom machine tools (CNC machine tools for plastic eyeglass lenses).
- 3D modeling of assembly designs, modules, and components (including cast parts, gear and worm gear drives, energy and media supply systems, etc.); FEM calculations.
- Creation of assembly drawings including bill of materials structures and detailed part drawings.
- Coordination with suppliers and support for specialist departments.
- Support during prototype build and test processes.
Hossein Gholamali
Development Engineer
Last position:
Development Engineer at HannahNisa Industries Co
- Developed and maintained a customized Information Management System (IMS) for the manufacturing industry, supporting 12+ users across Financial Accounting, Cash & Liquidity Management, and Warehouse modules.
- Implemented innovative data integration solutions, resulting in a 25% reduction in data processing time through branch data consolidation to a central server with a web interface.
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
Timon Ringwald
Database Developer – Research Project – Healthcare Billing
Last position:
Database Developer – Research Project – Healthcare Billing at MeQuEn GmbH
- Optimizing dynamically generated databases for logging
- Tools: MariaDB, C#, Visual Studio, VMs, Docker, Windows, Linux
Ambra Calà
Head of Research Group | Software-driven Ecosystems and Marketplaces
Last position:
Head of Research Group | Software-driven Ecosystems and Marketplaces at Siemens Foundational Technologies
- Leading an international technology consulting team of 10 software architects, modelers and researchers, developing and aligning team skills with Siemens goals related to software ecosystems and marketplaces
- Defined team strategy roadmap, consulting offerings and team development from scratch
- Responsible for €2M+ budget in BU consulting, pre-development and applied research projects
- Led the global Company Core Technologies program “Ecosystems and Marketplace Technologies” aiming at cross-company synergies in research and pre-development around software ecosystems evolution methods and practices
- Developed methods and tools to support holistic digital ecosystem transformation in industry
- Drove collaboration with academia with focus on emergent technologies for systems engineering and platform-based ecosystems design
- Facilitated innovation and patent workshops with cross-functional teams resulting in approximately 25 invention disclosures per year
Jens Jülke
Project Manager - Design
Last position:
Development Engineer – Design/Project Management/Purchasing at P-Wave AG
- Conception, development, and design of explosion generators: concept, draft, calculations, design of generators, procurement of parts, assembly of developed units, as well as tests and trials for functionality, safety, and optimization, further development up to series production
- Installation and commissioning of P-Wave PWG-S types 100 to 103 and subsequent types at customer sites
- Training of customer employees in handling the generators
- Maintenance of P-Wave PWG-S generators 100 to 103 and subsequent types
- Creation of PID and KKS numbering lists
- Project execution of orders in German-speaking regions
- Purchasing all parts and assemblies needed for project execution, and coordinating the assembly of the PWG-S system by partner companies
- Responsible for cost optimization of purchased parts
- Production planner
- Responsible for PDM data and optimization of data management, transition from manual to automatic data management
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Development Engineers statistics
Typical experience
16 years
Average project duration
2.6 years
Certifications per freelancer
1
Top business areas
Research and Development, Product Development, Information Technology
Top industries
Automotive, Manufacturing, Education
Most common languages
English, German, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
92%
Master's degree or higher
67%
Doctorate
16%
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 Development 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
Do you have questions? Here you can find further information about FRATCH
A Development Engineer typically turns technical requirements into a workable design, prototype, or improved product version. The work can include concept development, CAD work, testing support, design changes, and documentation for release or production handover. On freelance projects, the scope is usually tied to one product, one module, or one defined improvement task.
Look for strong engineering basics, structured problem solving, and the ability to document decisions clearly. A good candidate also understands design constraints, testing, manufacturability, and how to work with production or suppliers. If the project is hardware-heavy, ask for relevant CAD and validation experience; if it is electronics or mechatronics, check for the right system knowledge.
Often the terms overlap, but they are not always identical. In many companies, a development engineer may do the same day-to-day work as a design engineer, product development engineer, or R&D engineer, especially in product-driven teams. The safest approach is to define the task, tools, and deliverables instead of relying only on the title.
A freelancer makes sense when the need is project-based, urgent, or tied to a specific technical gap. This is common for prototype phases, redesigns, validation work, or temporary support during peak workloads. If you need long-term ownership across many product cycles, a permanent hire may be better; for a defined assignment, a freelancer is often the faster choice.
Yes, many tasks can be done remotely, especially concept work, calculations, documentation, and coordination. If the job depends on lab access, physical testing, shop-floor support, or direct teamwork with manufacturing, on-site presence is often useful. For projects in Germany, companies also sometimes expect German-language coordination with internal teams or suppliers.
Check whether the engineer delivers solutions that are technically sound and practical to implement. Good signs are clear drawings or specifications, sensible trade-offs, solid test reasoning, and documentation that another engineer can continue without confusion. References from similar products or industries are also very helpful.
Development Engineers are common in automotive, machinery, industrial equipment, consumer products, energy, and electronics-related projects. In Germany, they are often brought in where product quality, supplier coordination, and production readiness matter. The best fit depends on whether the work is mechanical, electrical, or mechatronic.
Bring the technical goal, current drawings or specs, key constraints, and the decision deadline. It also helps to share test data, known issues, supplier details, and who needs to approve the result. The clearer the brief, the faster the engineer can start delivering useful work.
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
