Head of Software Development in Germany
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Meet FRATCH Heads of Software Development in Germany
Gavrilo Olah
Last position:
Head of Software Development at Davidsmeyer & Paul GmbH
- Strategic project development, realisation, and implementation with internal and/or external development team
- Multi stakeholder management
- Planning new projects, cost calculation, risk calculation
- AI project for the electrical components production
- Building management systems integrations (BACnet, Modbus, etc)
- Inhouse BACring system architecture and development (control system for fire protection and smoke extraction systems)
- Inhouse MES system architecture and development
- Project management
- Agile-SCRUM project development
- Solution architecture and processes analytics (UML)
- Business application development
- Jira project management
- Reporting and documentation
- Recruitment process for the IT staff
- Software architecture, project development, costs, risks
- Education IT staff (internal and external)
- Responsibility for 5 development/DevOps/QA teams
Carlos Medina
Last position:
Implementation in Pimcore/Shopware
- Consulting, design, analysis, software architecture and development
- Designing, developing, and implementing a Pimcore environment and connecting multiple external API systems in a Kubernetes environment, as well as various PIM and ERP systems
- Technologies: Unix environment, design, Symfony development, PHP 8+, software architecture, MySQL/SQL, shell scripting, Git DevOps tasks, AI coding support, Pimcore 12, Shopware 6
- Team size: >10 people
Michael Schleier
Last position:
Head of IT Project Management and Software Development DACH at Webhelp Holding Germany GmbH
- Established and developed the IT organization in the DACH region (including Poland and the Balkans)
- Directly reporting to the CTO, handling various special tasks (e.g., GDPR, communication with the works council, data protection support and CISO)
- 9 years of disciplinary and technical leadership of project management teams (internal and external clients) and software development in the DACH region
- 4 years of disciplinary and technical leadership of the IT Service Desk for the DACH region (1st level)
- Defined strategy and developed roadmaps in collaboration with the CTO (infrastructure renewal, digitalization, security, BCM)
- Derived projects from the roadmap, prioritized, planned and executed them
- Team leadership (managing project teams up to 50 people; disciplinary and technical leadership of 12 people)
- Data center build/relocation (one build, three relocations/mergers)
- GDPR implementation (initial registration, maintenance process, procedure directories)
- Managed ISO27001 initial certification and two recertifications (ITSM, IT processes, hardware and software inventory, development guidelines)
- Established and took responsibility for IT requirements management
- Responsible as system owner for in-house developments (automation platform, tracking and security tools)
- Process analysis (gathering, alignment, analysis, improvement, design)
- 6 months as interim CTO (due to the CTO's illness)
Ilja Weber
Last position:
Software Expert at Siemens Betriebskrankenkasse
- Technical consulting and support for business units
- Strategic consulting and development of the overall software landscape
- Product ownership
- Onboarding and mentoring of junior developers
- Advising non-technical management
- Analysis and evaluation of existing systems
- JavaScript code reviews
- Development in the Java tech stack with Spring Boot and Clean Code
- Docker
- OpenShift & GitLab as CI/CD
Dominik Wei-Fieg
Last position:
Head of Mobile Development / CTO at MOSAIC BLABBER
- Technology strategy planning concerning the client-server and blockchain environments
- Development of smart contracts for the EOS blockchain using C++, Python and JavaScript and for Ethereum using Solidity
- Development of the BLABBER mobile app for iOS and Android using React Native
Jens Meßinger
Last position:
Fullstack Developer / Team Lead at Self-employed (Meßinger & Rantzuch GbR)
- Provided fullstack web development as a new development and replacement of existing desktop and web applications for an ERP solutions provider in the education sector
- Analyzed and redesigned development processes and collaboration in distributed teams
- Responsibilities included team leadership, conceptual design, architecture, implementation, DevOps and consulting
- Technologies: C# & .NET (ASP.NET 7), Angular 14, JavaScript/TypeScript, OData/REST, SOAP, Azure DevOps
- Integrated interfaces to educational providers and authorities
Maksym Shvaykovskyy
Last position:
Head of System Integrations at TAKKT AG
- Lead high-performing teams to enhance enterprise system efficiencies, specializing in ERP and PIM systems within AWS, Azure, and proprietary datacenter infrastructures
- Ensure seamless alignment with stakeholder visions through strategic tech integration and dynamic leadership
- Build Generative AI solutions using platforms such as Azure/OpenAI, Google, Claude, and Ollama
- Develop intelligent system integrations and advanced data strategies leveraging AI and machine learning models
- Champion Agile methodologies (SCRUM) and mentor team in roles such as Team Lead, Scrum Master, and Product Owner
- Deliver robust, scalable solutions that power strategic business growth and operational excellence
Manfred Höhn
Last position:
Team Lead / Project Manager Software Development SAFe/Scrum at UTA Edenred
Robert Reiz
Last position:
Senior Software Development Manager at LivePerson
- Promoted to Senior Software Development Manager
- Responsible for four teams and five direct reports
- Managed the development recruiting process in Mannheim
- Grew the Mannheim office from 15 to 60 people
- Reported to the VP of Engineering of EMEA and represented him when he was unavailable
Konstantin Hagelüken
Last position:
Web Coding & Design at Club Tipping Point
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Heads of Software Development statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
22 years
Position duration
2.8 years
Positions per freelancer
13
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Project Management
Top industries
Information Technology, Manufacturing, Professional Services
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
86%
Master's degree or higher
43%
Doctorate
14%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, Russian
Speak two or more languages
90%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role in Germany 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.
Average rates for Heads of Software Development in Germany
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.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the role
Strategic Engineering and Technical Leadership
A Head of Software Development bridges the gap between executive business goals and technical execution. They align development pipelines with the long-term vision of the company, ensuring that product roadmaps are realistic, scalable, and secure. By establishing clear architectural guidelines and choosing the right technology stacks, they lay the foundation for sustainable software engineering.
Core Deliverables and Responsibilities
- Defining scalable software architecture and technology roadmaps
- Mentoring engineering leads and structuring agile developer teams
- Optimizing continuous integration and continuous deployment workflows
- Managing technical debt and modernizing legacy applications
- Ensuring strict adherence to software quality and security standards
Architectural and Methodological Expertise
Strong tech leaders bring a wealth of experience in modern development paradigms. They are experts in agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban, and they understand how to structure microservices, API-first designs, and cloud infrastructure. Their background allows them to make informed decisions on toolchains, automation, and testing strategies that directly improve engineering velocity and system reliability.
Navigating the German Tech Landscape
Operating in Germany requires balancing high engineering standards with strict regulatory requirements. Freelance tech leaders in this region understand how to implement DSGVO compliance directly into the software development lifecycle. They are experienced in bridging the gap between traditional German industrial processes and modern SaaS methodologies, making them highly effective for both established Mittelstand companies and fast-growing tech hubs.
When to Bring in an Interim Leader
Companies hire freelance engineering leaders during critical business phases. This includes sudden leadership departures, major system migrations, or rapid scaling phases where existing structures no longer suffice. An interim professional brings external perspective and immediate relief, helping to restructure development departments and keep key projects on track without long recruitment delays.
Key Attributes of a Strong Tech Lead
Beyond technical brilliance, outstanding software development leaders possess exceptional communication skills. They translate complex engineering challenges into clear business value for stakeholders while protecting developers from administrative distractions. They foster a culture of ownership, continuous learning, and clean code, ensuring that the engineering organization remains motivated and productive.
Frequently asked questions
The facts hiring teams ask for most often when it comes to Heads of Software Development.
While a Chief Technology Officer focuses on long-term corporate technology strategy and high-level business alignment, a Head of Software Development manages the actual execution of that strategy. They lead the engineering teams directly, optimize software development processes, and ensure that high-quality products are delivered on time.
German organizations often face long notice periods for permanent hires when building new products or restructuring departments. Hiring a freelance interim engineering manager bridges this leadership gap immediately, allowing you to maintain project momentum while searching for a permanent replacement.
A qualified freelance software lead operating in Germany has deep knowledge of DSGVO compliance. They integrate privacy-by-design principles into the development lifecycle and ensure your cloud architecture and user data handling meet strict European security standards.
A competent technical director must possess strong architectural knowledge across modern frameworks and cloud platforms. They should be well-versed in microservices, containerization, and automated testing to guide their engineering squads effectively.
To keep distributed engineering teams aligned, a remote tech lead establishes clear asynchronous communication protocols and structured agile rituals. In Germany, they often combine remote work with occasional on-site workshops in major hubs like Munich, Berlin, or Frankfurt.
Generally, an experienced software development manager focuses on strategy, architecture, and team organization rather than writing daily code. However, they must remain technical enough to conduct code reviews, unblock developers, and make informed architectural choices.
Look for an interim engineering lead who can demonstrate successful system migrations, department scaling, or turnaround projects. Their portfolio should show how they improved delivery velocity, reduced technical debt, and built stable, high-performing teams in past assignments.
A successful head of engineering working with German companies must communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical business stakeholders. They are often expected to bridge the communication gap in English-speaking or bilingual developer teams while aligning with local management structures.
The average hourly rate for Heads of Software Development in Germany is 123 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 986 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Heads of Software Development in Germany, 86% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 43% hold at least a Master's degree, and 14% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Heads of Software Development in Germany have 22 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.8 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Heads of Software Development in Germany are German (100%), English (90%), and Russian (30%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Heads of Software Development in Germany are Information Technology (100%), Manufacturing (60%), and Professional Services (50%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Heads of Software Development in Germany are Information Technology (100%), Product Development (80%), and Project Management (80%).
FRATCH Heads of Software Development 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
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
