CI/CD Experts in Düsseldorf

Time-limited interim assignment filling a vacant program leadership position: joint leadership of a complex software project and orchestration of several agile teams (business, development, and DevOps teams), as well as actively driving change processes.

• Program Management & Planning: Responsibility for creating and updating milestone, resource, and budget plans to ensure project objectives using agile and hybrid methods.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing across teams; resolving blockers through proactive conflict management and targeted facilitation.
• Stakeholder Management & Transparency: Ensuring transparent and audience-appropriate communication within and outside the project organization using modern project management tools.

• Optimizing and accelera­tion of our Gitlab CI pipeline

• Conceptual work for the PoC of the Zero Trust system

• Extension of the policy-engine backend in Go

• Extension of the policy-testing mechanism in Python

• Architectural design of the PEP component of Zero Trust

• Documentation of the product

• Technologies: Zero Trust, Go, Python, Gitlab CI, Docker, JWT, Domain-Driven Design

• Training AI models, evaluating images and text UI/UX, turning the provided data into insights through OpenAI Feather as part of the machine learning workflow

Technologies: OpenAI Feather

• Supporting the DevOps team in Terraform-managed, multi-region AWS infrastructure to achieve environment parity.
• Developed end-to-end CI/CD pipelines using AWS CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy, automating the build and deployment.
• Maintained pre- and post-deployment scripts to automate critical tasks such as database schema migrations and environment sanity checks.
• Implemented CI/CD flow specifically for hotfixes via separate Git branches, managing back-merge activities from feature branches to release branches to ensure code integrity through automated conflict resolution.
• Deployed a dedicated, lightweight sanity check application hosted cost-effectively on Azure Container Apps to run automated health and basic functional checks as a post-deployment activity triggered via pipeline.
• Investigated production incidents through code changes and AWS CloudWatch logs.
• Coordinated integration of Dynatrace APM and its APIs for monitoring purposes.
• Full stack QA strategist for a high-traffic e-commerce platform built on a layered architecture for the back-end testing of core platform services, especially the order management system in Zed and Glue layers.
• Managed automation activities, testing process, and refactoring practices.
• Responsible for framework migrations, setup, and training for new automation frameworks.
• Promoted a shift-left approach within the QA team and created the test concept.
• Participated in meetings with IT managers, business owners, product owners, and team members.
• Designed and implemented contract testing to validate API schema compatibility between the order management system and the Zed and Glue layers, reducing production-relevant breaking changes by approximately 3%.
• Led the migration to a multi-environment framework that enabled test execution across 4 country configurations from a single codebase.
• Integrated automated unit and functional tests directly into the GitLab CI/CD pipeline, reducing pipeline runtime by 32%.
• Coached and trained 5 QA engineers across Germany and Hungary in test automation, framework architecture, and best practices.
• Architected a layered backend test automation framework separating business logic, API request builders, and the database layer.
• Piloted AI-assisted testing with Playwright Agents, the Playwright MCP Server, and GitHub Copilot for automated test generation, execution, and self-healing Playwright scripts.

• Designed and developed the architecture of an enterprise SCM/CI platform for Kubernetes-native delivery and GitOps workflows.
• Implemented infrastructure automation and Vault & IAM integration for secure, compliant pipelines.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams to improve DevOps, security, and architecture in release processes.
• Increased platform adoption and developer experience by automating onboarding and artifact pipelines.

PLANT-MY-TREE®-per-order

The application enables Shopify merchants to automatically place tree-planting orders for every incoming order. By integrating ecological contributions directly into the purchase process, the manual effort for tracking and billing reforestation initiatives is eliminated. The system increases transparency for end customers through real-time visualizations of the ecological impact directly in the storefront. The architecture is based on a modular monolith with Spring Boot in the backend and an integrated React app inside the Shopify admin area. The solution uses webhooks to capture order data in an event-driven way and integrates the weclapp ERP system for automated monthly invoicing. An app proxy mechanism provides dynamic statistics such as CO2 compensation and planted trees without any performance loss for the merchant shop.

Tasks:

• Design of the modular software architecture based on Spring Modulith to ensure high maintainability
• Development of the event-driven business logic for evaluating Shopify orders via webhooks
• Implementation of automated invoicing by connecting the weclapp REST API
• Building the frontend using React Router and Shopify App Bridge for native integration
• Design of the database model and implementation of the persistence layer with JPA/Hibernate and Prisma
• Integration of internationalization processes for global use in the frontend and email communication
• Automation of deployment processes using Docker and GitLab CI/CD

Project skills: Java 25, Spring Boot, Spring Security, Spring Modulith, Hibernate, JPA, REST API, PostgreSQL, Maven, Liquibase, React, TypeScript, React Router, Vite, Node.js, Prisma, Zod, Docker, Docker Compose, GitLab CI/CD, Shopify CLI, Shopify App Bridge, Polaris, weclapp, i18next, Lombok, Vitest

• Internationalization of brand processes and communication for Alpecin, Bioniq, Linola, Plantur, Vagisan
• Innovation project for market entry into a completely new segment
• Development of brand content: UGC, visual brand story for hair care
• Implementation of AI tools, consumer insight systems, and a customer centricity mindset

(Maternity/Parental Leave: July 2023 – Aug 2024)

• Domain: Payment Domain | Client: Telefonica Germany
• Project: General Payment Service

The General Payment Service is responsible for processing of online payments via external payment service provider like Safer pay and PayPal

• Developed Design of Use (DOU) and interface contract documentation, ensuring clarity and compliance across system integrations
• Designed and delivered REST/SOAP web services with Spring Boot and Spring Data JPA, publishing Swagger contracts through WSO2 API Gateway to improve accessibility and governance.
• Spearheaded the on-premises to AWS Cloud migration, re-platforming from Oracle to PostgreSQL on AWS RDS and deploying services on EC2, improving scalability and cost efficiency.
• Containerized microservices using Docker and orchestrated deployments with Kubernetes, streamlining deployment pipelines and improving system reliability.
• Implemented proactive monitoring and logging via AWS CloudWatch and Kibana, ensuring stability and performance during cutover.
• Enhanced collaboration through code reviews and peer reviews, promoting maintainability and clean coding standards.
• Strengthened quality by writing comprehensive JUnit tests and preparing detailed test cases enabling early defect detection
• Delivered automated API testing with Ready API, Postman, and SOAPUI, and conducted performance testing with JMeter, ensuring reliability in high-transaction environments.

• Creating interfaces between the legacy platform and the new container solution
• Coordinating required contributions from line units
• Moderating regular status meetings with the software vendor
• Minimally invasive conversion of TWS scheduling from the old to the new platform
• Environment: IBM Mainframe, DB2, CICS, MQ, Red Hat Linux, Oracle, Kubernetes, Kafka, Helm, GitLab, Jenkins

• Analysis and remediation of security vulnerabilities in a risk assessment system for energy trading
• System analysis
• Threat modeling
• Decision-making on vulnerability mitigation strategies
• Implementation of vulnerability detection mechanisms
• Security scans
• DevSecOps practices
• Technical environment: Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Suite, MS Threat Modeling Tool, DevSecOps, Git, AWS, DynamoDB, SQL Server, Endur, Snowflake, Orca
• Languages: C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, PowerShell, Bash, Terraform, SQL

• Identification of requirements (legal, organizational, and technical)
• Design of solution architectures
• Evaluation of concepts and technologies
• Preparation of decision templates
• Architectural Decision Records (ADR)
• Coordination of implementation
• Review of implementations
• Documentation

• Evaluate, design, and implement Power BI solutions for Cat4 reporting, significantly improving reporting efficiency, accuracy, and stakeholder visibility.
• Develop and maintain robust data integration interfaces between Cat4 and Power BI, eliminating manual processing bottlenecks.
• Configure and continuously optimise Power BI reports to deliver sharper management insights and support data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure full GDPR data protection compliance across Power BI reports, proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
• Acquired in-depth product knowledge of CAT4, a globally deployed enterprise platform, enabling effective requirements analysis, solution design, and seamless Power BI integration across client environments.
• Developed and integrated scalable reporting templates within the CAT4 product interface, delivering new product features and enhancing data visualisation, reporting efficiency, and stakeholder visibility across global users.
• Trained and mentored staff on Power BI configuration and best practices, accelerating adoption and embedding a data-driven culture.
• Prepared clear technical documentation and delivered hands-on demonstrations to end users and clients, ensuring smooth adoption and confident use of Power BI solutions integrated with CAT4.
• Researched and recommended licensing strategies for cost-effective and scalable Power BI deployment.

SKILLS - BI & Visualisation: Power BI (Desktop, Service, Report Builder), DAX, Power Query

Project and Product Management Tool: CAT4

Seqnaut and Sycosm (WIP) – Embedded Audio DSP & Synthesis Platform

• Embedded audio DSP framework — synthesizers, effects, drum machines; modular audio graph
• Sequencing: PianoRoll, StepGrid, MasterClock; 8-voice polyphonic synth; CLI + OSC
• Transient Detector — dual-envelope adaptive threshold, guitar attack detection
• Hardware: Teensy 4.1, custom AFE design tapping BOSS GX-100; MIDI FX integration

Label: C++23, C, Python, CMake, FreeRTOS, Teensy 4.1 (ARM Cortex-M7), Teensy Audio (Stoffregen), DaisySP, I2S/SAI, OSC, MIDI

• Contributed to the development of an advanced RAG AI Chat application that integrates multiple LLM models, enabling users to seamlessly switch between models based on specific tasks. This improved the user experience by providing tailored, efficient solutions for various use cases, such as event scheduling, booking systems, and complex task management.
• Participated in designing and implementing a robust backend architecture using Spring AI, enabling advanced AI-driven capabilities like intelligent task automation, language processing, and contextual recommendations. Leveraged Spring AI Tools and Advisors to enhance the performance and decision-making of the AI models.
• Collaborated on the integration of vector databases to support embeddings, enhancing the app's ability to understand user queries and perform actions based on complex, real-time data inputs.
• Contributed to the development of a seamless, user-friendly front-end interface using React with TypeScript support, ensuring a modern, responsive, and scalable user experience across platforms.
• Assisted in implementing state management with Redux RTK for efficient data flow and real-time updates, optimizing the overall user experience in dynamic scenarios such as scheduling and task management.
• Partnered with stakeholders to define feature requirements, helping ensure that the app could scale to meet evolving business needs and integrate with other systems like calendar and email services. Worked alongside cross-functional teams, including data scientists and UI/UX designers, to fine-tune AI models and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Contributed to ensuring end-to-end system performance, security, and compliance by helping integrate authentication mechanisms, role-based access control, and secure communication protocols in both backend and frontend layers.

Technology Stack and Key Contributions:

• Java / Spring Boot / Spring AI: Developed backend services leveraging Spring AI for intelligent responses, task automation, and complex workflows.
• React / TypeScript: Built intuitive user interfaces with React and TypeScript, ensuring a smooth and scalable frontend.
• Redux RTK: Managed application state with Redux RTK for optimized state management, enabling dynamic, real-time data updates.
• Vector Databases: Integrated vector databases (pgVector) for embedding support, improving AI model performance in handling complex queries.
• PostgreSQL / Redis: Managed persistent and temporary data with relational and in-memory data stores, ensuring data integrity and speed.
• Kafka: Utilized Apache Kafka for event-driven communication and seamless integration between microservices.
• Spring Security: Ensured the security of backend services with robust authentication and authorization mechanisms.
• CI/CD & DevOps: Integrated continuous integration and deployment pipelines to ensure rapid and secure deployment of features and updates.