Automation Engineering Experts in Germany
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Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used Automation Engineering
Muhammad Tanveer Baig
Last position:
Embedded Systems Consultant / Architect | Integration and Validation Engineer / Manager at Ingenieurbüro Baig
Led the hardware development and validation of a safety-critical 400 V battery management system (BMS) for the TOGG SUV program; performed system architecture reviews, schematic validations, EMC and reliability tests, and root cause analyses in line with relevant automotive standards (ECE-R10, CISPR25, ISO-26262). Coordinated cross-border EU engineering teams, customer reviews, and technical documentation to deliver a production-ready, validated system.
Architected and integrated 22 state-of-the-art ADAS validation vehicles for BMW ADCAM and LIDAR programs at Magna Electronics; synchronized up to 26 heterogeneous sensors (LIDAR, RADAR, cameras, GNSS/INS) using PTP-based timing architectures. Defined the system architecture, HW/SW interfaces for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) reprocessing, sensor integration strategies, and data acquisition frameworks. This enabled scalable vehicle-level validation, improved validation efficiency by 25%, and reduced project costs by €1.45 million.
End-to-end validation and integration of automotive radar platforms for a Daimler project at Continental. Developed automated open-loop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments to accurately test target tracking KPIs, field of view limits, and thermal and voltage-related ECU state machines. Used a highly complex toolchain consisting of CANoe, Lauterbach Trace32, RADAR target simulators, and EMC shielding chambers for RF and system validation. Synchronized global, interdisciplinary teams to speed up troubleshooting and close critical technical gaps.
Reconstructed and validated the product architecture of an electromechanical e-bike by integrating and troubleshooting critical subsystems (BMS, motor control, sensors, HMI, electronic locking systems). Built a comprehensive system-level test bench for functional testing, fault reproduction, and performance analysis; coordinated suppliers and implemented corrective actions to improve reliability and traceability.
Defined the system architecture and validation strategy for a LIDAR platform developed in cooperation with Elmos Semiconductor; evaluated optical measurement concepts, SPAD detector integration, and system requirements, and created technical recommendations for product development and verification.
Developed LabVIEW-based automation and verification software for a high-precision hydraulic and electromechanical test system for FTE Automotive; integrated NI DAQ hardware for high-frequency real-time capture of physical measurement data. Developed automated test sequences, programmable endurance tests, troubleshooting routines, data logging, and analysis tools to improve test efficiency and traceability.
Successfully managed complete engineering life cycles for well-known industrial customers (Magna, Continental, Farasis, FTE Automotive, BMW, Daimler, TOGG) – from requirements engineering and proof of concept through system integration and validation to technical documentation, supplier coordination, and user training.
Volker Foitzik
Last position:
Technical Lead | Software Architect | Embedded Software Engineer at Hydac
- Development of safety-related embedded software for a mobile machine on a Hydac TTC 2390 controller.
- Implementation in C with consideration of SIL 3 / ASIL D and MISRA-C:2025.
- Implementation of communication via CAN, CANopen, and J1939.
Standards, guidelines and norms: ISO 26262, IEC 61508, MISRA-C:2025
Technologies: C99, Hydac TTC 2390, Infineon TriCore Aurix TC397, Hightec C/C++ Compiler, PC-lint Plus, CAN, CANopen, J1939, MISRA-C:2025
Friedhelm Best
Last position:
Partner at Asia-Connect Executive Partners Pte Ltd
Building and establishing sales and marketing processes, as well as candidate management for executive and transformation mandates between Europe and Asia
Initial situation**
Asia-Connect started as a partnership for placing interim executives. After the first sales activities, scalable structures for sales, marketing, and candidate management were missing. With growing demand and the involvement of additional partners, there was a need for clear processes, defined interfaces, and reliable reporting in order to manage growth in a planned way and deliver mandates efficiently.
Responsibility & approach**
Built clearly structured end-to-end processes for sales, marketing, and candidate management.
Implemented standardized candidate management from first contact to talent pool.
Introduced binding marketing guidelines, including agency management and SEO implementation.
Established a KPI-based content and reporting process.
Introduced weekly KPI reviews and forecasts to manage marketing and sales.
Implemented a structured sales process from lead-to-opportunity to contract closing.
Piloted and continuously improved all processes in day-to-day operations.
Results & impact**
Introduced uniform marketing standards, including stable agency management (content output +60%).
Established a KPI-driven content and reporting process with regular performance reviews (engagement rate >45%).
Implemented a structured sales process from lead to close, with clear phase and decision logic.
Implemented an end-to-end candidate management process with clear quality criteria and a scalable data basis (time-to-shortlist –40%).
Increased efficiency in mandate fulfillment through shorter lead times and better coordination between sales and candidate management.
Created a scalable operational base to integrate additional partners and grow the network.
Andrew Steinhauer
Last position:
CSO/COO Interim at Testa Motari GmbH
- Interim leadership responsibility for realigning the entire leadership organization – away from classic target setting and solution specification toward a teal-oriented organization with clear responsibility for each individual employee.
- Stabilization of production processes and reduction of the backlog in all customer projects.
- Building up the necessary material inventory (agreed with end customers by contract) – eliminated backlogs and special runs, achieved 2 weeks of material inventory.
- From the start of the assignment, also took over overall technical responsibility for Research & Development (R&D).
- In addition to the CSO/COO role, took over responsibility for controlling and finance in the last 9 months.
Giuseppe Abrignani
Last position:
Embedded Software Developer at Inheco
- AI Integration (LLM & RAG): Design and build of an internal intelligent RAG system (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) based on LLMs, n8n, and vector data for the automated analysis of technical documents and error logs.
- Design & Implementation: Design of a robust RS-232/UART communication interface for an SBC-based embedded device to control medical shaker systems.
- Architecture & Protocol Design: Implementation of a highly maintainable software structure (OOP, SOLID) and definition of hardware-close, resilient communication protocols including multithreading and advanced error handling.
- Quality Assurance & DevOps: Test automation using xUnit, integration tests directly on the hardware target, and maintenance of technical documentation according to strict medical technology standards via Azure DevOps.
Label: C#, .NET, LLMs, RAG, n8n, RS-232, UART, Multithreading, async/await, xUnit, gRPC/protobuf, Blazor, MudBlazor, EF Core, Visual Studio 2026, Azure DevOps
Victor Omojoye
Last position:
AI Training Engineer at Confidential AI Research Client
- Codebase Evaluation & Problem Design: Designed and stress-tested complex software engineering problems against large open-source Python codebases (including pandas), requiring deep context acquisition and architectural understanding to produce well-scoped, realistic problem statements aligned to strict correctness guidelines.
- Agent Failure Analysis: Assessed LLM coding agent solutions for correctness and completeness, identifying meaningful failures across edge case handling, dtype behaviour, and multi-column NaN propagation logic; documented findings with precision for downstream evaluation use.
- Programmatic Test Suite Development: Authored comprehensive pytest suites to programmatically verify agent-generated solutions against defined requirements, with deliberate coverage of boundary conditions and failure modes not caught by naive implementations.
- Containerised Environment Engineering: Built and debugged Docker environments for reproducible agent execution, including git-based repository provisioning, dependency pinning with npm ci, and multi-stage Dockerfile authoring across Linux-based containers.
Frank Stölzel
Last position:
Project & Interim Manager at Freelance
- See detailed project list above
Thomas Stork
Last position:
Automation Technology Lecturer at HWK Munich and Upper Bavaria
- Training professionals in PLC technology, pneumatics, control engineering, and KUKA robots
- Creating scripts for Siemens systems: STEP 5, STEP 7, TIA Portal, WinCC
- Creating scripts for pneumatics, control engineering, and KUKA robot programming
- Serving on the examination committee for quality assurance in vocational training
- Training and certifying over 500 professionals
Rolf Wendolsky
Last position:
Agile Consultant at Lead.ai
- Introduction of Agile-CCPM in an IT project agency with a focus on PHP-based content management systems.
- Preparation and facilitation of workshops to establish a cross-agency multi-project management system.
- Coordination and support of the agency partners.
- Coaching of the methodological framework.
- Collection, evaluation, and use of organizational metrics to plan next steps.
- Environment: OKR, CCPM, Agile Coaching, Agile Planning, Agile Metrics, Workshops, Facilitation, Change Management, JIRA, Zoom, Slack, Miro.
Norbert Buro
Last position:
Project Manager Electrical Engineering and Automation at Fr. Fassmer GmbH
- Project management of electrical engineering and automation for the research vessel Meteor on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space.
- Organized development.
- Negotiated with clients and project owners.
- Managed up to eight employees.
Gregor Pestsov
Last position:
Engineering Data Management Project Manager
Technical and commercial risk assessment for an investment project in the hardware sector (scaling potential, liability risks, operational processes) Process consulting for two SMEs in the engineering environment, focusing on workflow digitization, PLM
Frank Doerries
Last position:
Project management, development and system integration for retrofit on a Uranus thermionic mass spectrometer at Forschungszentrum Jülich
- Development of a retrofit concept, including qualification measures
- Development, installation and commissioning of the required hardware and software
- Development of a safety concept
- Execution and documentation of in-house verifications / qualification
- Initiation and implementation of measures in case of non-conformities
- Execution of CE conformity assessment procedures and CE marking
Andreas Höhl
Last position:
Paint Department Manager at Montaplast GmbH
- Disciplinary and technical leadership of the paint production area with series production, polishing and rework, surface technology, robot application technology, and paint line technology
- Weekly reporting of key figures such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), machine utilization, setup times, scrap/rework rate, productivity per employee, and absence rate
- Ensuring the availability of personnel, material, equipment, and paint systems
- Continuous development of employees, processes, standards, and the organizational structure
- Implementation and establishment of lean management principles for waste-free production and continuous improvement process (CIP)
- Planning and implementation of investments as well as budget responsibility
- Targeted project coordination through to successful completion
- Derivation and implementation of annual goals as well as individual target agreements with employees
- Fulfillment of employer duties with regard to occupational, environmental, and health protection
Matthias Dräger
Last position:
Project Building Automation WAGO at Ingenieurbüro Dräger
- Topic: Programming of heating controls
- Client: Hoffbauer Foundation
- Requirements: Analysis of existing systems, reprogramming, commissioning, documentation
- Focus: Development of automation solutions and control systems
- Technology: Codesys 3.5
Randolf Berthold
Last position:
S7-TIA Programmer at Entsorgungstechnik Bavaria GmbH
various projects in Europe
- Development of a camera system for quality detection in output current in paper with Python and Sigmatek Lasal and Sigmatek Visu Designer
- Development and commissioning of control technology for plants in the recycling sector with Sigmatek Lasal and Visu Designer and coupling with Profinet or OPCUA to other controls
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using Automation Engineering
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
24 years
Position duration
3.9 years
Positions per freelancer
13
Top business areas
Product Development, Quality Assurance, Operations
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Information Technology
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Operations
Bachelor's degree or higher
92%
Master's degree or higher
44%
Doctorate
10%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
93%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology 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 of experts in Germany using Automation Engineering
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 technology
Industrial control
Automation engineering covers the control systems that run machines, lines, and plants. It includes PLC logic, HMI screens, SCADA monitoring, sensors, actuators, and safety functions. Strong work here keeps production stable, repeatable, and safe.
Typical work
- PLC programming and commissioning
- SCADA and HMI setup
- Motion, robotics, and drives integration
- Process control and alarm handling
- Safety logic and machine interlocks
These experts also document signal lists, test cases, and change requests. Their output must work on the shop floor, not just in a simulation.
Common stacks
The stack often includes Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff TwinCAT, CODESYS, and WinCC. Many projects also touch Modbus, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, and MQTT. Good specialists know how to connect field devices with reliable control logic.
When to bring help
Companies usually need freelance support when a line must be upgraded without long delays, when a plant is being expanded, or when legacy control code is hard to maintain. In Germany, that often means work across manufacturing, automotive supply chains, food production, and process industries.
What strong experts do
- Read existing panels, wiring, and I/O maps quickly
- Write clean, maintainable control logic
- Test edge cases before site release
- Work closely with mechanics, electrical specialists, and operators
- Keep downtime and rework low
Strong professionals also understand fault finding under pressure and can explain changes clearly to on-site teams.
Deliverables
Automation engineering freelancers are often hired for retrofit plans, machine commissioning, FAT and SAT support, control cabinet reviews, and troubleshooting during production starts. They may also update documentation, standardize code, or help harmonize control concepts across multiple sites. That makes them useful for both short interventions and longer modernization work.
Frequently asked questions
Everything clients usually want to know about Automation Engineering, in one place.
A strong Automation Engineering specialist builds and maintains the control layer behind machines and production lines. That usually means PLC logic, HMI screens, SCADA monitoring, alarms, safety functions, and testing before the system goes live. The goal is reliable operation with clear diagnostics and predictable behavior.
Automation Engineering is often used alongside industrial automation and controls engineering. In practice, people may use these terms for the same kind of work: PLCs, SCADA, machine control, and plant integration. The exact label matters less than the ability to deliver stable control systems.
A good Automation Engineering professional usually brings electrical and mechanical awareness, not just software skills. Common adjacent skills include PLC hardware, HMI design, industrial networks, safety logic, commissioning, and troubleshooting with test tools. For complex plants, experience with documentation and change control is also important.
Companies often bring in Automation Engineering expertise for retrofits, line expansions, commissioning periods, or when internal teams are already fully tied up. Freelancers are also useful when legacy code is undocumented or when a specialist brand of PLC or SCADA system is in play. The best time is before a delay turns into a production stop.
For Automation Engineering, the right level depends on the system risk and how much site exposure the work needs. A small HMI update may need only focused expertise, while a plant startup or safety-related change needs someone who has already handled similar control systems in real production settings. Ask for comparable machines, not vague general claims.
Automation Engineering is closer to physical operations than to pure software work. Code must deal with sensors, actuators, timing, interlocks, and safe fallback behavior, often under hard real-time or site constraints. That means testing and commissioning matter as much as the logic itself.
Many Automation Engineering tasks can start remotely, such as reviewing logic, preparing documentation, or supporting fault analysis. But commissioning, cabinet checks, and live troubleshooting usually need on-site time, especially in Germany where plant access and language expectations can vary by facility. A hybrid setup is often the most practical choice.
Look for Automation Engineering specialists who write readable code, name signals consistently, and document changes clearly. Good work also includes structured testing, clean handover notes, and a calm approach to faults during start-up. Ask how they handle PLC backups, versioning, and recovery after a failed change.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects is 96 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 769 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects, 92% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 44% hold at least a Master's degree, and 10% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects have 24 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.9 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects are German (100%), English (91%), and French (24%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects are Manufacturing (91%), Automotive (64%), and Information Technology (49%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used Automation Engineering in their recent projects are Product Development (82%), Quality Assurance (78%), and Operations (76%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used Automation Engineering
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
