Find the best Software Developers in Essen from 15,000 CVs, matched in minutes with the power of AI.
Need backend APIs, modern web apps, cloud migrations, or DevOps support? Hire software developers who can join greenfield builds or rescue live products, with fast and precise matching to vetted, available freelancers.
About the role
What they build
Software developers turn product ideas into working code and keep existing systems stable as they grow. They build features, fix defects, improve performance, and connect services across web, mobile, and internal tools. In Essen, they often support teams in industrial, logistics, energy, and B2B software environments where clean handover and reliable delivery matter.
- Build new application features and user flows
- Develop APIs, services, and integrations
- Refactor legacy code and reduce technical debt
- Debug production issues and improve stability
- Support testing, release preparation, and documentation
Skills that matter
A strong software developer writes maintainable code and thinks beyond the task in front of them. They understand architecture, version control, automated tests, and how to work with product, design, and operations.
- Solid command of one or more core languages and frameworks
- Experience with databases, APIs, and authentication
- Familiarity with test automation and code reviews
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical teams
- Ability to work with existing standards and legacy systems
Tools and focus areas
The exact stack depends on the project, but common work includes backend development, frontend implementation, cloud services, and CI/CD pipelines. Many companies also need help with DevOps tasks, containerized deployments, and integration work between internal systems and external platforms.
Freelance software developers are a good fit when a team needs specialized support without adding permanent headcount. That can mean a product launch, a migration, a temporary capacity gap, or a legacy system that needs targeted improvement. In Essen, freelance collaboration is often a practical choice when teams want on-site input for workshops and remote delivery for implementation.
How to judge quality
Good software developers leave behind code that others can maintain. They ask the right questions early, document important decisions, and flag risks before they become blockers.
- They can explain trade-offs, not just show code
- They ship small, reviewable changes
- They think about testing, security, and maintainability
- They adapt to the client’s stack and delivery process
- They keep delivery focused on business value
Meet FRATCH Software Developers
Jens Schneeweiß
Software Developer for C, C++, C++/CLI and C#
Last position:
Network Technology at ISP, Internet Service Provider, BGP Peering
- Optimization of the transmission media of the data links in the Ruhr area
- Configuration/expansion of switches and routers for an autonomous system AS
- Improve the network protocols used Layer 2/3 (OSI model), RSTP, broadcast, etc.
- Laying cables, crimping, antennas, routers, switches
- Maintenance, expansion, selection and prioritization of troubleshooting measures for network monitoring (PRTG, The Dude)
- Organization and new connection of another BGP peering, data center, NGN fiber optic
- VPN IPSec site connections for 6 sites with PFSense, Fritzbox
- Configuration of WLAN devices (Mikrotik, UBNT
Label: TCP/IP, VLAN, BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VPLS, routing protocols, WLAN, EoIP, PPPoE, routing, SNMP, DHCP, DNS, NAT, native IP, VLAN, Ethernet, VoIP., switches and routers from: Nortel, Cisco, MikroTik, UBNT., network management systems: The Dude, PRTG, UISP
Celil Uzunel
Freelance Software Developer
Last position:
ZÜRS Geo 2021 at adesso SE
- Frontend development
- Spring Boot
- Swagger
- Git
- GitLab
- SonarQube
- Docker
- Maven
- Java
- Angular
Boris Solos
Senior Software Developer
Last position:
Senior Software Developer at Advaneo GmbH
- Developed backend for Dataspace
- Technologies: IntelliJ IDEA, Java, Gradle, REST, EDC Connector, data analytics AI, Git/GitLab
Marcel Dicks
Software Developer / IT Tester
Last position:
Software Developer / IT Tester at Continentale Krankenversicherung a.G.
Analysis, online COBOL software development and testing of dialog and batch programs in the Kranken Leistung (KL) project
Error analysis, bug fixing and ticket resolution (change requests and defects)
Documentation in collaboration with the contact office and the mathematics department
IT skills: Siemens Fujitsu BS2000, CCOM Emulation, Micro Focus Visual COBOL I and II, Eclipse IDE, UDS database system, Atlassian Confluence and Jira, ZULIP, UNIFY
Hamza Sohail
Software Developer
Last position:
Software Developer at WaslSign
- Designed and implemented the system architecture for scalable document workflows, improving stability and performance.
- Optimized the login flow with TOTP-based MFA, reducing complexity and login time by 35%.
- Built secure backend APIs for document upload, signing, and management.
- Developed encrypted file handling with AWS S3 pre-signed URLs, ensuring GDPR-compliant data protection.
- Implemented JWT-based role authentication, strengthening access control and overall platform security and reducing code and database complexity.
- Optimized database queries and caching using ORM, reducing API response time by 40%.
- Integrated real-time webhook updates, enhancing workflow transparency and user experience.
Orlando Nguyen
Mathematician | Software Engineer
Last position:
Workshop on Machine Learning and Large Language Models
- Introduction, discussion, and hands-on session for a client in the staffing industry
Romuald Gackowski
Software Developer
Last position:
Software Developer at Aluminium Norf GmbH
- Setting up a server to distribute production events from MES to the existing PPS
- Adding additional servers to the existing setup
- Reporting changes in packaging inventory to TWMS
Rolf-Peter Koch
Head of Marketing and Sales
Last position:
Head of Marketing and Sales at Bionorica SE
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Software Developers statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
26 years
Position duration
2 years
Positions per freelancer
18
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Business Intelligence
Top industries
Information Technology, Automotive, Banking and Finance
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence
Bachelor's degree or higher
71%
Master's degree or higher
57%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, French
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 Software Developers & 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 Software Developer turns requirements into working software and supports the product through delivery. That usually includes feature development, bug fixing, API work, testing support, and integration with existing systems. On many projects, the developer also helps clarify technical choices before coding starts.
Look for strong coding skills in the stack you use, plus experience with databases, APIs, testing, and version control. A good software developer also understands how to work with legacy code, not just greenfield builds. Clear communication matters just as much as technical depth.
In practice, these titles often overlap. A software developer usually focuses on building and improving applications, while software engineer may suggest a broader view of architecture, systems, and reliability. Programmer is also used, but it often sounds narrower and less common in client briefs.
A freelancer makes sense when you need focused delivery, specific technical expertise, or temporary extra capacity. That is common for migrations, product launches, urgent defect work, or projects that need a specialist for one part of the stack. It is also useful when you want to move fast without a long hiring process.
Yes, remote collaboration is common for Software Developers. For teams in Essen, that often works well for implementation, review cycles, and ongoing maintenance, while workshops or planning sessions may happen on-site when needed. The best setup depends on the project, the team, and the amount of coordination required.
Ask the developer to walk through a past project, the trade-offs they made, and how they handled bugs or changing requirements. A strong software developer can explain code quality, testing, and deployment choices in plain language. If they only talk about syntax and ignore maintainability, that is a warning sign.
Freelance software developers in Essen often support business software, internal tools, integration work, and modern web applications. The local mix often includes companies that need dependable delivery, system stability, and clean interfaces to existing platforms. Some clients also need help bridging old systems with newer cloud services.
Start with the problem, the users, the current stack, and the outcome you need. A good brief for a Software Developer also names constraints such as deadlines, systems to integrate, and whether the work is new build, extension, or maintenance. The clearer the scope, the faster a strong freelancer can take over.
The average hourly rate for Software Developers in Essen is 78 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 624 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Software Developers in Essen, 71% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 57% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers working as Software Developers in Essen have 26 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Software Developers in Essen are German (100%), English (100%), and French (38%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Software Developers in Essen are Information Technology (100%), Automotive (50%), and Banking and Finance (50%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Software Developers in Essen are Information Technology (100%), Product Development (100%), and Business Intelligence (63%).
FRATCH Software Developers 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.
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