Computer-Aided Design Experts in Dortmund
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Meet FRATCH Experts in Dortmund, who have recently used Computer-Aided Design
Kersten L.
Last position:
Lead Architect / Lead Developer at Bettles: Sports Betting Platform
- Complete greenfield rebuild across the whole stack — built AI-native: backend in Go and NestJS, PostgreSQL (CNPG) on K3s with GitOps/Terraform; frontend on Angular 22, zoneless.
- Orchestrated coding agents (e.g. Claude Code, Cursor) across the entire lifecycle — architecture, implementation, testing, reviews, documentation — driven by Specification-Driven Development (SDD).
- “Bruno” — LLM commentator persona backed by RAG and MCP for a personality that stays consistent across all generations (match previews, post-match reports, his own virtual bets).
Angular 22 (zoneless, without Zone.js), Claude Code, Claude Code Skills, CNPG, Cursor, Design Tokens (Spec for Code), Docker, Gherkin, Git, GitLab, GitOps, Go, Google Gemini, Grafana, Hetzner Cloud, K3s, Keycloak, Kubernetes, Lighthouse, LLM Integration, Model Context Protocol (MCP), NestJS, Node.js, NPM, Playwright, PostgreSQL, Prometheus, RAG, REST, Specification-Driven Development (SDD), Structured Outputs, Terraform, TypeScript, Vitest
Dane C.
Last position:
Mechanical Design Engineer at SUSS MicroTec
- Independent work as a mechanical design engineer.
- Design work in SolidWorks 2022.
- Creation of drawings for assemblies and individual parts, taking surface finish, machining, and material into account.
- 3D design and new development of modules for manufacturing computer chips.
- 3D design and implementation of concepts in close coordination with the design team.
- Design of an extraction system for solvents (acids and alkalis), focusing on cost reduction and automatic retention.
- Use of 3D sketches to design hose routing.
- Reading pneumatic diagrams and implementing them in CAD.
- Development of a gas component plate for supplying four lines, including the integration of filters and design simplification.
- Prototype construction and new development.
- Import and further processing of STEP files.
- 3D design of E-cabinet equipment based on templates.
- Use of the SAP and ECTR PLM systems for storing, copying, linking, attaching data, changing statuses, and versioning.
- Creation of work lists, maintenance of material master data, and change numbers.
- Structure maintenance and BOM export.
- Work with transactions for changes, documents, and material masters.
- Creation of layouts for complete systems and individual modules for internal coordination.
Alexander K.
Last position:
Managing Director and Lead Consultant at Prometheus-Innovent Ltd.
- Consulting in the area of Project Management and Product Development
- Intercultural & Organizational Change Management
- Due Diligence Services with focus on strategic insights
- Establishing Problem-Solution-Fit for digital omnichannel marketing strategies incorporating product information management processes, including third party vendor service assessment to enter into RfQ
- Led a change management initiative to establish digital content delivery management readiness, improving technical documentation processes, customer experience and realizing significant cost savings by transitioning from printed to digital content delivery.
Ulrich E.
Last position:
Technical Consultant in Electrical Engineering
Technical consulting for electrical engineering in the areas of control system design, measurement technology and automotive applications
Participation in development, commissioning and optimization of individual components for hybrid electric drives including HV batteries and electrical auxiliary units
Integration of individual systems into the overall system and preparation for homologation
Development of analog and digital circuits
Design of circuit diagrams in control and special machine construction for individual machines
Definition of switch cabinet layout and switch cabinet wiring
Selection and programming of electronic control (PLC) and display / control unit (HMI)
Selection and parameterization of converters, sensors and DC-DC converters
Adaptation of industrial and rail components for vehicle use in cooperation with external development partners
Collaboration with external developers from specification to function testing and final acceptance of the finished device
Design of HV network for hybrid vehicles as well as construction supervision and commissioning
Specification and testing of electrified auxiliary units (steering, climate control, on-board power supply)
Parameterization of frequency converters and programming of positioning controllers
Preparation of quotes, creation of specifications, price negotiations and procurement of electrical items
Scheduling and control as well as supervision of control system construction, wiring and machine wiring
Creation of PLC programs and programming of operator panels (HMI)
Functional testing of individual machine elements and sensor adjustment
Initial commissioning at the manufacturer's site, test run of the machine, documentation preparation and revision of circuit documents
Leading commissioning at the end customer, training of customer's staff and management of the electrical engineering department with supervision of employees
Own patent research and patent monitoring (optoelectronic 3D measuring systems)
Commissioning and troubleshooting of HV batteries for hybrid vehicles together with the manufacturer
System responsibility for hybrid test vehicles, especially HV safety
Use of CAD systems (AutoCad light), CAE systems (Caddy++ electrical 3.0SP1, EPLAN P8), MS Office, MS Visio, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Standard, Vector CANalyzer, Mitsubishi Melsec Medoc Plus, Mac-Programmer Plus, S7 standard, Siemens Micro-Win 3.2, Siemens ProTool light and ProTool CS, S7-Net OPC server, programming software for frequency converters and positioning controllers, Sistema and Spice
Previous project experience includes: integration of HV batteries in hybrid vehicles, development of optoelectronic sensors, construction supervision of hybrid vehicles, commissioning of NC machines, electrical control of processing and packaging machines, commissioning of a photovoltaic system and restoration of a run-of-river power plant
Ahmed S.
Last position:
Electrical Hardware Designer at Dematic GmbH
- Planning and design of hardware components for automated storage and retrieval machines
- Creation of design drawings and filing of bills of materials in SAP
- Maintenance and modification of old and new circuit diagrams in EPLAN P8
- Maintenance of master data through to the creation of macros for components and assemblies
- Technical coordination with suppliers, customers and other departments
- Support in preparing quotations and quotation calculations
Rolf P.
Last position:
IT Consultant and Interim Manager at Self-employed
- Interim CIO at companies in the printing industry (2020/2021)
- Interim CIO and project manager at an automotive components plant (2018/2019/2020)
- Interim CIO at a mechanical engineering company (2016/2017)
- Interim CIO/ERP project manager at a mechanical engineering company (2015/2016)
- Project management of an international SAP-SCM implementation at a pharmaceutical wholesaler and retailer (2014/2015)
- Establishing efficient SAP project management at a large German machine manufacturer (2013)
- Supporting a large building materials manufacturer in setting up an international IT organization/governance (2013)
- Optimizing Microsoft contract frameworks for a ThyssenKrupp subsidiary (2013)
- Redesigning the IT infrastructure of a mid-sized automotive supplier (2012)
- Advising a large Austrian machine manufacturer on setting up an IT shared service center in India (2012)
- Redesigning the IT environment and process optimization at a large law firm in Dortmund (2012)
Bertram M.
Last position:
Art of Engineering GmbH
- Assembly fixture for a steering gear
- Design of food filling devices
- Software: Dassault CATIA V5
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using Computer-Aided Design
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
21 years (Germany: 22 years)
Position duration
3.4 years (Germany: 5.7 years)
Positions per freelancer
12
Top business areas
Product Development, Operations, Project Management
Top industries
Automotive, Energy, Transportation
Certification focus areas
Human Resources, Logistics, Product Development
Bachelor's degree or higher
100% (Germany: 86%)
Master's degree or higher
60% (Germany: 52%)
Doctorate
20% (Germany: 9%)
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
English, German, French
Speak two or more languages
86% (Germany: 96%)
Based on our profile pool as of 29 Oct 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of experts in this technology in Dortmund are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows the share of experts charging within that range.
Average rates of experts in Dortmund using Computer-Aided Design
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 29 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Computer-Aided Design experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Automotive (71%)
- Energy (71%)
- Transportation (71%)
- Manufacturing (71%)
- Construction (43%)
- Food and Beverage (43%)
- Professional Services (43%)
- Education (29%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the technology
Purpose
Computer-Aided Design, commonly called CAD, uses software to create, modify and document precise digital drawings and models. It supports mechanical parts, industrial equipment, buildings, electrical layouts, product concepts and manufacturing documentation. CAD files can move from early sketches to simulation, review and production.
Design Workflows
CAD professionals turn requirements, measurements and technical references into structured drawings or parametric 3D models. They manage dimensions, tolerances, assemblies, materials, layers and revision history. Strong workflows keep design intent clear while preparing files for fabrication, construction or further engineering review.
Tools and Formats
The ecosystem ranges from AutoCAD for technical drafting to SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360 for 3D design and mechanical work. Revit and similar BIM tools support coordinated building models. Common deliverables include DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES, STL, PDF drawings and native project files.
Where It Helps
Companies bring in freelance CAD expertise when internal capacity is limited, a product needs to move from concept to production, or legacy drawings need reliable conversion. In Dortmund and the wider Ruhr region, industrial, manufacturing, construction and product teams may need support that fits existing review and documentation processes.
- Convert sketches, scans or legacy drawings into usable CAD files
- Build parametric parts, assemblies and production drawings
- Prepare models for CNC, 3D printing or technical visualization
- Coordinate revisions across design, production and external suppliers
Project Fit
A short drafting assignment may need focused software knowledge and careful file handling. Complex assemblies, building coordination or manufacturing handover require broader understanding of materials, tolerances, standards, version control and stakeholder reviews. Define the required software, file formats, deliverables and approval steps before work begins.
Remote collaboration works well when references, naming rules and review tools are organized. On-site access can help with physical prototypes, workshop measurements or plant-specific processes. For Dortmund projects, teams should also agree on communication language, meeting routines and responsibility for final design approval.
Quality Signals
The strongest professionals explain design decisions, not only software commands. They present clean models, consistent constraints, readable drawings and dependable revision records. Ask for relevant examples, a sample workflow and evidence that their files can be opened, checked and handed over by the next team.
- Uses the project’s native standards and templates
- Checks geometry, dimensions, interfaces and tolerances
- Keeps assemblies, references and revisions organized
- Delivers documented, editable files rather than screenshots alone
Frequently asked questions
Key details about Computer-Aided Design, drawn from the questions we get asked most.
Computer-Aided Design is used to create precise 2D drawings and 3D models for products, machinery, buildings, layouts and manufacturing parts. It also supports assemblies, technical documentation, design revisions and files prepared for fabrication or construction.
CAD provides editable geometry, constraints, dimensions, layers and reusable components that are difficult to manage consistently by hand. Compared with informal 3D modeling, it is better suited to controlled technical documentation, production changes and data exchange with manufacturing or construction tools.
Computer-Aided Design work may involve AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360 or Revit, depending on the field. The right expert should match the software to the required output, such as mechanical assemblies, BIM coordination, CNC preparation or 2D documentation.
A strong CAD professional may also understand manufacturing processes, materials, tolerances, GD&T, sheet metal, BIM coordination, CNC machining or 3D printing. Knowledge of file formats, version control and technical documentation is equally important for a smooth handover.
Computer-Aided Design experience should match the project’s risk and complexity rather than a fixed time period. A simple drawing update may need focused drafting ability, while a regulated product, complex assembly or coordinated building model calls for proven experience with reviews, interfaces and production documentation.
CAD projects are often suitable for remote collaboration when drawings, references, templates and review rules are shared digitally. On-site work may be useful for measuring existing equipment, checking prototypes or understanding a production environment; Dortmund teams should also clarify language and meeting expectations.
Review a professional’s relevant portfolio and ask how they handle constraints, tolerances, revisions and file references. With Computer-Aided Design, quality also means clean geometry, logical naming, accurate dimensions, editable source files and documentation that another specialist can use without rework.
Yes. An experienced CAD specialist can inspect legacy files, follow title blocks and layers, apply naming conventions, and convert or rebuild drawings where needed. Before starting, provide sample files, preferred formats, software versions and clear rules for approvals and revisions.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects is 85 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 683 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 60% hold at least a Master's degree, and 20% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects have 21 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.4 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects are English (100%), German (86%), and French (43%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects are Automotive (71%), Energy (71%), and Transportation (71%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Dortmund, Germany who have used Computer-Aided Design in their recent projects are Product Development (100%), Operations (71%), and Project Management (71%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used Computer-Aided Design
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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Dusseldorf 
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Hanover 
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
