Find the perfect Hardware Engineers in Germany in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
Access independent specialists in PCB design, high-speed digital electronics, and embedded systems architecture. We match you with vetted, available freelance professionals who align with your technical requirements and development cycles.
About the role
Custom PCB design and hardware architecture
Freelance hardware developers design robust printed circuit boards and schematic architectures tailored to your specific product requirements. They select microcontrollers, design analog and digital circuits, and optimize layouts for signal integrity. Their work ensures that the physical foundations of your IoT devices, automotive electronic control units, or industrial machinery controllers are reliable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective to manufacture.
Key deliverables of freelance engineering projects
External specialists deliver production-ready documentation and verified prototypes to accelerate your hardware development cycles. Typical deliverables include:
- Complete schematic designs and multi-layer PCB layouts using industry-standard tools like Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle
- Detailed Bill of Materials optimized for supply chain resilience and component availability
- Initial hardware prototypes assembled, debugged, and tested in professional laboratory environments
- Comprehensive test plans and documentation required for CE, FCC, and electromagnetic compatibility compliance
Navigating manufacturing and compliance in Germany
German industrial projects demand strict adherence to rigorous quality, safety, and environmental standards. Freelance electronics engineers operating in Germany bring deep knowledge of European Union directives, including CE marking, RoHS, REACH, and specific automotive or medical standards. They collaborate closely with local German manufacturing partners and certified test laboratories to ensure prototypes transition smoothly into mass production without costly redesign cycles.
When to bring in an external hardware expert
Internal engineering teams often face bottlenecks during critical phases of product development, layout routing, or compliance testing. Hiring a freelance specialist provides immediate relief for peak workloads, introduces specialized knowledge in complex fields like high-speed digital design or radio frequency technologies, and helps your company meet tight market launch deadlines without expanding permanent overhead.
Meet FRATCH Hardware Engineers
Yusuf Congar
Senior Software Engineer C# | C++ | Java | JS | Microservices | Vert.x | OSGI | IoT | Hardware | MQTT
Last position:
Senior Software Engineer at LeiKon GmbH
- Development of scalable backend applications with C#/.NET and Java
- Design and implementation of distributed microservice architectures
- Development and integration of REST APIs for industrial applications
- Development of modern web applications with React, Angular, and TypeScript
- Implementation of MQTT-based communication solutions
- Integration of industrial protocols such as OPC UA and Modbus TCP
- Development of batch, process control, and HMI components
- Containerization and deployment of applications with Docker
- Conducting code reviews and supporting architecture decisions
- Close collaboration with product owners, QA, and interdisciplinary teams
- Analysis of business requirements and implementation of technical solutions
- Further development of existing software architectures with a focus on maintainability and performance
Technologies: C#, .NET, ASP.NET Core, Java, C++, React, Angular, TypeScript, Vue.JS, MQTT, OPC UA, Modbus TCP, Docker, GitLab, MariaDB, MySQL, Linux
Valentin Reuter
Freelance Hardware Development Engineer
Last position:
Freelance Hardware Development Engineer at Swarm Biotactics
PCB design with Altium, MCU Programming, Prototyping
Valentin Reuter
Freelance Hardware Development Engineer
Last position:
Freelance Hardware Development Engineer at Swarm Biotactics
PCB design with Altium, MCU Programming, Prototyping
PCB design with Altium, MCU Programming, Prototyping
Derek Micallef
Expert in AI Process Automation | n8n | AI Automations Manager | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Last position:
AI Automations Manager - Hardware Setup, Automation & Voice Agent at Autohaus Mazda
- Setting up new desktop computers
- Setting up a VPS for automation, databases and chat interface
- Connecting to Azure AI Foundry
- Developing various n8n workflows for email, social media and document management
- Implementing a QA system (backups, error handling, HITL)
- Setting up and optimizing an inbound voice agent
Derek Micallef
Expert in AI Process Automation | n8n | AI Automations Manager | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Last position:
AI Automations Manager - Hardware Setup, Automation & Voice Agent at Autohaus Mazda
- Setting up new desktop computers
- Setting up a VPS for automation, databases and chat interface
- Connecting to Azure AI Foundry
- Developing various n8n workflows for email, social media and document management
- Setting up new desktop computers
- Setting up a VPS for automation, databases and chat interface
- Connecting to Azure AI Foundry
- Developing various n8n workflows for email, social media and document management
- Implementing a QA system (backups, error handling, HITL)
- Setting up and optimizing an inbound voice agent
- Implementing a QA system (backups, error handling, HITL)
- Setting up and optimizing an inbound voice agent
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)
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
- 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)
- 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)
Peter Kortmann
Hardware and Software Developer / Project Manager
Last position:
Hardware and Software Developer / Project Manager at Anonymer Kunde
- Development of control units for the automotive industry incl. embedded software
- CAN bus, Vector Tools, CANoe
- Support of the development process according to ISO 26262
- Ensuring cyber security standards:
- Key exchange (PKI) between vehicle and control units
- Hardware Security Module (HSM)
- Communication with external service providers (international)
- Development (PCB) of measuring adapters, statistical analysis of sensors
- IoT and embedded software development, backend administration
Peter Kortmann
Hardware and Software Developer / Project Manager
Last position:
Hardware and Software Developer / Project Manager at Anonymer Kunde
- Development of control units for the automotive industry incl. embedded software
- CAN bus, Vector Tools, CANoe
- Support of the development process according to ISO 26262
- Ensuring cyber security standards:
- Key exchange (PKI) between vehicle and control units
- Hardware Security Module (HSM)
- Development of control units for the automotive industry incl. embedded software
- CAN bus, Vector Tools, CANoe
- Support of the development process according to ISO 26262
- Ensuring cyber security standards:
- Key exchange (PKI) between vehicle and control units
- Hardware Security Module (HSM)
- Communication with external service providers (international)
- Development (PCB) of measuring adapters, statistical analysis of sensors
- IoT and embedded software development, backend administration
- Communication with external service providers (international)
- Development (PCB) of measuring adapters, statistical analysis of sensors
- IoT and embedded software development, backend administration
Karl Spielberger
Hardware-related software development, code review, error analysis and expertise
Last position:
Software Consultant, Architect, and Developer at Forklift Truck Manufacturer
Consulting in all areas of software development such as architecture, inter- and intra-process communication, end-to-end validation
Monitoring and measuring resources such as runtime and memory usage
Specification of interface and implementation patterns as well as high-level and detailed specifications
Design and implementation of functional and safety software
Specification of unit tests and support of the integration and software tests in the HIL test department as part of software validation
Development of platform-independent control and regulation software for a fuel cell system (multi-processor 16-bit and multi-core 32-bit)
Development/concept design of state machines
Development/concept design of control algorithms
Development/concept design of inter-process safety communication
Development/concept design of basic software components for parameter, characteristic curve, and error management
Development of vehicle communication based on CAN
Development/concept design of commissioning, maintenance, and service interfaces via CAN and UDS diagnostics
Conducting validation and supporting external validation
Creating specifications for testing
Karl Spielberger
Hardware-related software development, code review, error analysis and expertise
Last position:
Software Consultant, Architect, and Developer at Forklift Truck Manufacturer
- Consulting in all areas of software development such as architecture, inter- and intra-process communication, end-to-end validation
- Monitoring and measuring resources such as runtime and memory usage
- Specification of interface and implementation patterns as well as high-level and detailed specifications
Consulting in all areas of software development such as architecture, inter- and intra-process communication, end-to-end validation
Monitoring and measuring resources such as runtime and memory usage
Specification of interface and implementation patterns as well as high-level and detailed specifications
Design and implementation of functional and safety software
Specification of unit tests and support of the integration and software tests in the HIL test department as part of software validation
Development of platform-independent control and regulation software for a fuel cell system (multi-processor 16-bit and multi-core 32-bit)
Development/concept design of state machines
Development/concept design of control algorithms
Development/concept design of inter-process safety communication
Development/concept design of basic software components for parameter, characteristic curve, and error management
Development of vehicle communication based on CAN
Development/concept design of commissioning, maintenance, and service interfaces via CAN and UDS diagnostics
Conducting validation and supporting external validation
Creating specifications for testing
Design and implementation of functional and safety software
Specification of unit tests and support of the integration and software tests in the HIL test department as part of software validation
Development of platform-independent control and regulation software for a fuel cell system (multi-processor 16-bit and multi-core 32-bit)
Development/concept design of state machines
Development/concept design of control algorithms
Development/concept design of inter-process safety communication
Development/concept design of basic software components for parameter, characteristic curve, and error management
Development of vehicle communication based on CAN
Development/concept design of commissioning, maintenance, and service interfaces via CAN and UDS diagnostics
Conducting validation and supporting external validation
Creating specifications for testing
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
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
- 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
- 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
Philipp Eick
Project Lead | Infotainment Software Architecture and Special Hardware Agricultural Machinery
Last position:
Project Lead | Infotainment Software Architecture and Special Hardware Agricultural Machinery at IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
- Managing projects, including steering the international project team of up to 15 staff
- Intensive customer communication
- V-model according to Automotive SPICE
Philipp Eick
Project Lead | Infotainment Software Architecture and Special Hardware Agricultural Machinery
Last position:
Project Lead | Infotainment Software Architecture and Special Hardware Agricultural Machinery at IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
- Managing projects, including steering the international project team of up to 15 staff
- Intensive customer communication
- V-model according to Automotive SPICE
- Managing projects, including steering the international project team of up to 15 staff
- Intensive customer communication
- V-model according to Automotive SPICE
Maryam Sarebanzadeh
Hardware and Control Engineer
Last position:
Hardware and Control Engineer at Technical University of Munich
- Developed a 6 kW AC-DC power converter for automotive applications.
- Selected and tested SiC MOSFETs, gate drivers, diodes, and high-voltage capacitors.
- Created schematics and designed multilayer PCBs in Altium Designer.
- Collaborated with software and mechanical teams for system integration.
- Developed an advanced control strategy for traction inverters.
- Implemented and tested control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink.
- Conducted detailed efficiency, power factor, and common-mode current measurements.
Maryam Sarebanzadeh
Hardware and Control Engineer
Last position:
Hardware and Control Engineer at Technical University of Munich
- Developed a 6 kW AC-DC power converter for automotive applications.
- Selected and tested SiC MOSFETs, gate drivers, diodes, and high-voltage capacitors.
- Created schematics and designed multilayer PCBs in Altium Designer.
- Collaborated with software and mechanical teams for system integration.
- Developed a 6 kW AC-DC power converter for automotive applications.
- Selected and tested SiC MOSFETs, gate drivers, diodes, and high-voltage capacitors.
- Created schematics and designed multilayer PCBs in Altium Designer.
- Collaborated with software and mechanical teams for system integration.
- Developed an advanced control strategy for traction inverters.
- Implemented and tested control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink.
- Conducted detailed efficiency, power factor, and common-mode current measurements.
- Developed an advanced control strategy for traction inverters.
- Implemented and tested control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink.
- Conducted detailed efficiency, power factor, and common-mode current measurements.
Alexander Neumann
Project management in embedded software and hardware development / Smart Home
Last position:
Project management in embedded software and hardware development / Smart Home at Jung
Development and implementation of project management plans, taking project goals and requirements into account.
Monitoring project progress and identifying potential risks or delays.
Providing regular status reports and updates
Communication with external agencies and service providers to make sure that all requirements and expectations are met.
Communication with department heads to make sure that project goals are aligned with the overall company goals.
Advising developers to make sure that technical requirements and solutions are properly considered.
Proactive identification of potential risks and issues during the project.
Development of solution strategies and action plans to minimize risks and deal with issues as they arise.
Communication of identified risks/issues in order to respond to challenges in time and implement solutions.
Alexander Neumann
Project management in embedded software and hardware development / Smart Home
Last position:
Project management in embedded software and hardware development / Smart Home at Jung
Development and implementation of project management plans, taking project goals and requirements into account.
Monitoring project progress and identifying potential risks or delays.
Providing regular status reports and updates
Communication with external agencies and service providers to make sure that all requirements and expectations are met.
Development and implementation of project management plans, taking project goals and requirements into account.
Monitoring project progress and identifying potential risks or delays.
Providing regular status reports and updates
Communication with external agencies and service providers to make sure that all requirements and expectations are met.
Communication with department heads to make sure that project goals are aligned with the overall company goals.
Advising developers to make sure that technical requirements and solutions are properly considered.
Proactive identification of potential risks and issues during the project.
Development of solution strategies and action plans to minimize risks and deal with issues as they arise.
Communication of identified risks/issues in order to respond to challenges in time and implement solutions.
Communication with department heads to make sure that project goals are aligned with the overall company goals.
Advising developers to make sure that technical requirements and solutions are properly considered.
Proactive identification of potential risks and issues during the project.
Development of solution strategies and action plans to minimize risks and deal with issues as they arise.
Communication of identified risks/issues in order to respond to challenges in time and implement solutions.
Michael Schulze
Senior Hardware Development
Last position:
Senior Hardware Development at Sabik Offshore GmbH
Use case analysis
Evaluation tests
Hardware and software specification
Component research
Cost price calculation
Project planning and control
System design
Circuit development and simulation
PCB layout
Reliability analysis
Engineering/EMC tests
Mixed-signal design (Multiprocessor)
DC/DC design
Manufacturable design
Lightning protection
Altium Designer
LTSpice
MS Office
MS Project
Michael Schulze
Senior Hardware Development
Last position:
Senior Hardware Development at Sabik Offshore GmbH
- Use case analysis
- Evaluation tests
- Hardware and software specification
- Component research
- Cost price calculation
- Project planning and control
- System design
- Circuit development and simulation
- PCB layout
- Reliability analysis
Use case analysis
Evaluation tests
Hardware and software specification
Component research
Cost price calculation
Project planning and control
System design
Circuit development and simulation
PCB layout
Reliability analysis
Engineering/EMC tests
Mixed-signal design (Multiprocessor)
DC/DC design
Manufacturable design
Lightning protection
Altium Designer
LTSpice
MS Office
MS Project
Engineering/EMC tests
Mixed-signal design (Multiprocessor)
DC/DC design
Manufacturable design
Lightning protection
Altium Designer
LTSpice
MS Office
MS Project
Maximilian Dietrich
Hardware Developer
Last position:
Hardware Developer at Freelance Hardware Developer
- Optimization of a film stretching machine: concept design and proof of concept in SolidWorks and FEMM
- Development of a smart gas scale (Evergas) with mobile connectivity: functional and design prototype in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Sensor system for brake disc measurement with Knorr-Bremse: proof of concept and patent preparation in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, FEMM, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a sensor for oil level measurement (Oilfox) with self-monitoring algorithms in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a miniature plastic extruder (Mcubus project) in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, LTSpice, FEMM, Arduino IDE
- Commissioning hardware for Magna Telemotive: electrical function tests, firmware porting in C++ and quality assurance coordination
- Electronics development for Sonnenglas: concepts for battery charging by solar power and LED control in Fusion 360, Eagle, Simplicity Studio, MPLab
- Development of a wake-up controller for Wing Man: vibration sensor and power-saving logic in Fusion 360, Eagle
- Hardware lead at Cariad SE: hardware testing, supplier communication, error management in iDEX, ODIS, CANoe
Maximilian Dietrich
Hardware Developer
Last position:
Hardware Developer at Freelance Hardware Developer
- Optimization of a film stretching machine: concept design and proof of concept in SolidWorks and FEMM
- Development of a smart gas scale (Evergas) with mobile connectivity: functional and design prototype in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Optimization of a film stretching machine: concept design and proof of concept in SolidWorks and FEMM
- Development of a smart gas scale (Evergas) with mobile connectivity: functional and design prototype in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Sensor system for brake disc measurement with Knorr-Bremse: proof of concept and patent preparation in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, FEMM, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a sensor for oil level measurement (Oilfox) with self-monitoring algorithms in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a miniature plastic extruder (Mcubus project) in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, LTSpice, FEMM, Arduino IDE
- Commissioning hardware for Magna Telemotive: electrical function tests, firmware porting in C++ and quality assurance coordination
- Electronics development for Sonnenglas: concepts for battery charging by solar power and LED control in Fusion 360, Eagle, Simplicity Studio, MPLab
- Development of a wake-up controller for Wing Man: vibration sensor and power-saving logic in Fusion 360, Eagle
- Hardware lead at Cariad SE: hardware testing, supplier communication, error management in iDEX, ODIS, CANoe
- Sensor system for brake disc measurement with Knorr-Bremse: proof of concept and patent preparation in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, FEMM, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a sensor for oil level measurement (Oilfox) with self-monitoring algorithms in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, Adafruit Web IDE
- Development of a miniature plastic extruder (Mcubus project) in SolidWorks, Cura, Eagle, LTSpice, FEMM, Arduino IDE
- Commissioning hardware for Magna Telemotive: electrical function tests, firmware porting in C++ and quality assurance coordination
- Electronics development for Sonnenglas: concepts for battery charging by solar power and LED control in Fusion 360, Eagle, Simplicity Studio, MPLab
- Development of a wake-up controller for Wing Man: vibration sensor and power-saving logic in Fusion 360, Eagle
- Hardware lead at Cariad SE: hardware testing, supplier communication, error management in iDEX, ODIS, CANoe
Talat Göktuğ Dere
Embedded C/C++ Software & Hardware Design Engineer
Last position:
Embedded C/C++ Software & Hardware Design Engineer at Fotoniks Military Electro-Optic Systems
- Designed power PCBs, analog video boards, custom Linux-based embedded systems, and NATO-compliant electronics.
- Developed ARM C/C++ firmware for communication and real-time control.
- Implemented UART, SPI, I²C, PWM, ADC, Ethernet and CAN drivers, along with timing-critical modules.
- Optimized layouts for SI, EMI/EMC, protection and thermal performance.
- Contributed to AI-assisted signal processing and target tracking via Linux embedded preprocessing.
Talat Göktuğ Dere
Embedded C/C++ Software & Hardware Design Engineer
Last position:
Embedded C/C++ Software & Hardware Design Engineer at Fotoniks Military Electro-Optic Systems
- Designed power PCBs, analog video boards, custom Linux-based embedded systems, and NATO-compliant electronics.
- Developed ARM C/C++ firmware for communication and real-time control.
- Implemented UART, SPI, I²C, PWM, ADC, Ethernet and CAN drivers, along with timing-critical modules.
- Designed power PCBs, analog video boards, custom Linux-based embedded systems, and NATO-compliant electronics.
- Developed ARM C/C++ firmware for communication and real-time control.
- Implemented UART, SPI, I²C, PWM, ADC, Ethernet and CAN drivers, along with timing-critical modules.
- Optimized layouts for SI, EMI/EMC, protection and thermal performance.
- Contributed to AI-assisted signal processing and target tracking via Linux embedded preprocessing.
- Optimized layouts for SI, EMI/EMC, protection and thermal performance.
- Contributed to AI-assisted signal processing and target tracking via Linux embedded preprocessing.
Frank Willinger
Hardware Developer Electronics / Power Electronics / EMC
Last position:
Chemical Dosing System at Talenia electronic Inh.: Frank Willinger
- Project duration: 2 years (freelancer)
- Hardware System design, Hardware development
- Evaluation + Simulation of different HW topologies
- Hardware design for schematic and layout
- Control unit for dosing valves
- Wiring and cable harness design
- Tools: Altium Designer, Micro-Cap, Ancolyzer
Frank Willinger
Hardware Developer Electronics / Power Electronics / EMC
Last position:
Chemical Dosing System at Talenia electronic Inh.: Frank Willinger
- Project duration: 2 years (freelancer)
- Hardware System design, Hardware development
- Evaluation + Simulation of different HW topologies
- Hardware design for schematic and layout
- Control unit for dosing valves
- Project duration: 2 years (freelancer)
- Hardware System design, Hardware development
- Evaluation + Simulation of different HW topologies
- Hardware design for schematic and layout
- Control unit for dosing valves
- Wiring and cable harness design
- Tools: Altium Designer, Micro-Cap, Ancolyzer
- Wiring and cable harness design
- Tools: Altium Designer, Micro-Cap, Ancolyzer
Mathias Kurzweg
Hardware Developer, Project Manager, Programmer
Last position:
botspot 3D Scan GmbH
- Support and consulting for the development and setup of 3D photo scanner systems
- Tools used: KiCAD, ePlanP8
Mathias Kurzweg
Hardware Developer, Project Manager, Programmer
Last position:
botspot 3D Scan GmbH
- Support and consulting for the development and setup of 3D photo scanner systems
- Tools used: KiCAD, ePlanP8
- Support and consulting for the development and setup of 3D photo scanner systems
- Tools used: KiCAD, ePlanP8
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Hardware Engineers statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
19 years
Position duration
2 years
Positions per freelancer
11
Top business areas
Product Development, Quality Assurance, Research and Development
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Healthcare
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Logistics
Bachelor's degree or higher
93%
Master's degree or higher
80%
Doctorate
27%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, Turkish
Speak two or more languages
100%
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 Hardware 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
Need clarity? Check out our simple overview of FRATCH
A freelance hardware engineer designs, develops, and tests physical electronic systems and components. This includes schematic capture, printed circuit board layout, component selection, and prototype debugging to ensure the final product meets functional requirements.
While an embedded software developer focuses on writing firmware, a freelance hardware engineer builds the physical electronic circuitry and boards that the code runs on. Both roles collaborate closely to integrate physical components with software.
Experienced electronics engineers are proficient in professional design software such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Mentor Graphics, and Eagle. The choice of tool usually depends on your company's existing engineering environment and the complexity of the PCB.
Engaging a freelance hardware developer allows you to scale your engineering team dynamically during intense design, prototyping, or testing phases. It gives you fast access to highly specialized skills, such as RF design or high-speed routing, without long-term commitments.
A professional hardware designer designs circuits with compliance in mind from the beginning, preparing for CE, FCC, and EMC certification. In Germany, they often coordinate directly with accredited test laboratories to perform pre-compliance testing and resolve electromagnetic interference issues.
While schematic capture and PCB layout can be done remotely, a hardware engineer often needs on-site laboratory access for prototyping, soldering, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Many German clients opt for a hybrid model where initial designs are done remotely and testing is completed on-site.
You can assess a freelance hardware engineer by reviewing their portfolio of successfully manufactured boards and products. Asking about their experience with specific chip architectures, manufacturing design guidelines, and past compliance certifications provides clear proof of their expertise.
The automotive sector, industrial automation companies, medical technology manufacturers, and IoT startups across Germany frequently hire freelance hardware engineers. These industries rely on external experts to quickly integrate modern electronic components and connectivity into their hardware products.
The average hourly rate for Hardware Engineers in Germany is 97 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 776 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Hardware Engineers in Germany, 93% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 80% hold at least a Master's degree, and 27% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Hardware Engineers in Germany have 19 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Hardware Engineers in Germany are German (100%), English (100%), and Turkish (25%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Hardware Engineers in Germany are Manufacturing (94%), Automotive (75%), and Healthcare (63%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Hardware Engineers in Germany are Product Development (100%), Quality Assurance (88%), and Research and Development (81%).
FRATCH Hardware Engineers main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a Free Demo
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
Would you rather directly get in touch?
We always have the time for a call or email!
Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
