Function Block Diagram Experts in Germany
matched in minutesHire experts who design PLC control logic, connect industrial inputs and outputs, and validate automation sequences across production environments. FRATCH matches you quickly and precisely with vetted, available freelancers for your specific project.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used Function Block Diagram
Kusay T.
Last position:
Freelance System & Software Architect - DNA-Extraction Robot at QIAGEN GmbH
- System and software architecture for the QIA-symphony Connect DNA-extraction robot in Life Science / IVD automation.
- Designed features and control logic for extraction, pipetting, lysis and eluate modules using C++, PLC/ST (Beckhoff IPC / TwinCAT 3) and model-based concepts.
- Delivered ISO 13485-oriented requirements, architecture, unit/integration/regression tests and DHF/VEP/VER/TCL documentation.
- Used Polarion, Jira, Confluence, Azure and AI-assisted documentation to improve traceability and engineering efficiency.
Thomas S.
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
Matthias D.
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
Basel J.
Last position:
Senior Application Engineer / Product Manager at Altran Magnetics LLC
- Oversee development and optimization of key products, including DP contactors, EMI filters, and circuit breakers.
- Lead certification processes ensuring compliance with UL, TÜV, and VDE standards.
- Act as technical liaison between customers, sales teams, and manufacturing to deliver customized solutions.
Wolfgang S.
Last position:
Software Developer / Aviation Commissioning Engineer at Vakuum Schmelze Hanau
- Development of automation software and commissioning of a pneumatic press for processing electrical sheet stator cores, including KUKA robot handling, process monitoring, and connected measurement systems for quality inspection and sorting.
Andreas N.
Last position:
Open Source Founder at Privatier
- AI-supported source code analysis
- AI image generation for a shirt shop
- AI-supported analysis of connected YouTube channels and commenting users
- AI-supported software prototyping
- Operation of a local AI environment
- 3D printing and scanning: development of a process to repair GfK parts using 3D-printed negative molds
The focus is on practical applications of new technologies, founding an open-source project for a yacht autopilot, as well as yacht refit and motorhome conversion.
Marian L.
Last position:
Founder at Smart Mode Engineering e.K.
Commissioning of all types of machine tools with Sinumerik 840d PL & SL controls with up to 56 axes including Safety Integrated
PLC programming with Step7 in AWL, FUP, KOP, GRAPH, SCL
PLC programming in TIA Portal in AWL, FUP, KOP, GRAPH, SCL
NC programming (automation cycles, measurement cycles, and machining cycles)
Visualization using HMI Pro, Easy Screen, Sinumerik Operate & WinCC
Software development in interface programming (communication with ABB/Fanuc/KUKA robots, measuring machines, washing machines, tool monitoring systems and transport systems)
Cycle time optimization and drive optimization
Successful business founding
Successful building of a customer base
Expanded knowledge of other machine tools (Chiron, Stama, Index, Magdeburg, Boehringer, EMAG, Schuster, DMG MORI, Schaudt, Mikrosa, Felsomat, Risomat)
Successful completion of each individual project
Jean Erge E.
Last position:
Engineer - Automation Technology at Ravensburg Milchwerke GmbH
- Plan and design complex production systems as part of a team
- Develop and modify electrical circuit diagrams
- Design electrical machine controls and drive technology
- Troubleshoot electronic assemblies
- Develop PLC and visualization software as well as process control software
- Identify and implement optimization measures
- Create operating instructions
- Ensure IT security of all operational technology
- Support building services
- Technologies: Eplan P8, PCS7, ProLeiT, PlantiT, TIA, S7
Leonardo H.
Last position:
Founder & Managing Director at Logic-Core GmbH
Logic-Core GmbH specializes in industrial automation technology and offers tailor-made solutions and comprehensive project management from the initial idea to execution.
Custom, client-focused freelance engineering services in the field of automation technology.
Development of custom PLC programs and modern visualization systems using TIA Portal, Step 7 and WinCC Flexible.
Design, creation and optimization of electrical schematics with WS-CAD Electrix, consistently taking into account and complying with current SIL and ATEX standards.
International commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting of automation systems in the chemical, food, recycling, pharmaceutical and renewable energy industries.
Personal technical consulting, reliable customer support and extensive staff training.
Many years of cross-industry experience in commissioning complex technical systems.
Arnauld S.
Last position:
PLC Programmer/Maintenance Technician at Tiernahrung Deuerer GmbH
- Planning of automation systems
- PLC programming (Simatic S7, TIA Portal: AWL, SCL, FUP, KOP)
- Visualization of automation systems (WinCC, Sirvac, GUI)
- Commissioning of systems with various drives and sensors
- Creating and maintaining documentation and training materials
Rachid R.
Last position:
Self-employed at R&A Engineering GmbH
- Development and programming of PLC controllers and servo drives, such as TIA Portal, Siemens Step7 Classic, RSlogix/Studio5000, Unity Pro and CODESYS
- Visualization systems WinCC, FactoryTalk VIEW
- Integration of various fieldbuses into automation devices (PROFIBUS, PROFINET, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Ethernet/IP, MODBUS)
- Script programming (C# / VB.Net / VBscript / VBA)
- Selection of electrical components and systems
- Commissioning and optimization of simple to complex plants and machines
- Planning and creation of electrical schematics
- Preparation of installation plans
- Preparation of bills of materials and technical calculations
- Feasibility studies
Dursun B.
Last position:
Project Manager at Tesa
- Manufacturing machines (Tesa)
- Project manager for inventory of controls, documentation
- S5, Step7, TIA V16/17/18/19, WinCC Advanced, WinCC flexible, Office
Jörg P.
Last position:
Master Electrician at Automatisierungstechnik Jörg Putzer
- Project planning, manufacturing and programming of systems for:
- Process automation
- Control and regulation technology
- Fully and semi-automatic controls for machines and plants
- PLC programming (Siemens)
- Simatic Manager
- TIA Portal
- Risk analysis and assessment with CE certification
- Retrofit of existing machines and plants
- Programming of industrial robots
Joachim K.
Last position:
Programming and Commissioning of Test and Assembly Machines
- Programming in TIA Portal
- Visualization with WinCC
- F-CPU, Safety Integrated
- Various sensors and camera sensors
- Participated in defining the task and from design onwards
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using Function Block Diagram
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
24 years
Position duration
5.7 years
Positions per freelancer
12
Top business areas
Product Development, Operations, Information Technology
Top industries
Manufacturing, Automotive, Energy
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Operations, Product Development
Bachelor's degree or higher
90%
Master's degree or higher
40%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
86%
Based on our profile pool as of 19 Sep 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 Function Block Diagram
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 19 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Function Block Diagram experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Manufacturing (100%)
- Automotive (50%)
- Energy (50%)
- Utilities (43%)
- Food and Beverage (36%)
- Information Technology (36%)
- Aerospace and Defense (29%)
- Construction (29%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the technology
What it is
Function Block Diagram, commonly called FBD, is a graphical programming language for programmable logic controllers. Engineers and automation specialists connect function blocks to represent signals, logic, timers, counters and control sequences. The visual format makes relationships between inputs, processing steps and outputs easy to trace.
What it builds
FBD is used to create control programs for machines, production lines, process equipment and building systems. It suits applications where operators and maintenance teams need to understand control behavior without reading extensive text-based code.
- Motor, pump and valve control
- Interlocks, alarms and safety-related sequences
- Conveyor and production-line automation
- HVAC, energy and process control
Tools and skills
FBD work usually takes place in a PLC engineering environment such as Siemens TIA Portal, CODESYS, Rockwell Studio 5000 or Schneider EcoStruxure Control Expert. Strong specialists understand IEC 61131-3 concepts, PLC hardware, fieldbus communication, HMI design and industrial networking. They also work with structured text or ladder logic when a project needs a mixed-language solution.
When expertise matters
Companies bring in freelance FBD specialists when a new machine must be commissioned, an existing PLC program needs restructuring or a production system requires reliable troubleshooting. In Germany, this work often connects with manufacturing, logistics, process facilities and building automation. Remote preparation can cover logic reviews and documentation, while commissioning may require on-site collaboration.
- Review unclear or fragile control logic
- Convert functional specifications into PLC programs
- Test sequences with simulation or factory equipment
- Document blocks, signals and operating states
What professionals deliver
A capable professional turns operating requirements into clear, reusable blocks with meaningful names and defined interfaces. Deliverables may include PLC source code, hardware and I/O mappings, alarm behavior, test plans, commissioning records and operator documentation. Good practice includes fault handling, safe restart behavior, version control and disciplined change management.
How to assess quality
Look for experience with the PLC vendor and engineering environment used in the project, not just general automation knowledge. Ask how the specialist approaches signal validation, diagnostics, recovery after faults and handover to maintenance teams. A practical review of sample documentation or a discussion of a comparable control sequence can reveal whether the person creates understandable logic rather than only working code.
Frequently asked questions
What clients ask us most about Function Block Diagram — answered in short.
Function Block Diagram is used to program PLC-based control systems with connected graphical blocks. Companies use it for machine sequences, motor and valve control, interlocks, alarms, process automation and building systems.
FBD represents logic through connected blocks, which can make signal flow and reusable functions easy to follow. Ladder logic is often preferred for relay-style logic and maintenance familiarity, while structured text is better suited to complex calculations and data handling. Many industrial projects combine these IEC 61131-3 languages.
A strong Function Block Diagram specialist should understand PLC hardware, I/O configuration, HMI systems, industrial Ethernet and fieldbus communication. Knowledge of Siemens TIA Portal, CODESYS, Rockwell Studio 5000 or Schneider EcoStruxure can be important when the project is tied to a specific environment. Commissioning and technical documentation skills also matter.
The required experience depends on the control scope, safety demands, equipment variety and commissioning conditions. A small logic change may need a different profile from a full machine or process startup. Ask candidates to explain comparable FBD work, their testing method and how they document changes.
Function Block Diagram development, code reviews, simulation and documentation can often be handled remotely. Hardware testing, plant integration and commissioning may require access to the machine or site. In Germany, agree early on which activities need on-site presence and which can be completed through secure remote collaboration.
Bring in a FBD freelancer when internal automation capacity is limited, a commissioning deadline is approaching or existing PLC logic is difficult to maintain. External expertise can also help with migrations, diagnostics, documentation and independent validation before production use.
Review whether Function Block Diagram code uses clear names, consistent interfaces, sensible block reuse and explicit fault handling. Ask how the specialist tests normal cycles, abnormal signals, restart behavior and operator alarms. Readable documentation and a controlled handover are strong quality indicators.
Function Block Diagram is common in discrete manufacturing, logistics automation, energy systems, process plants, water treatment and building controls. It is especially useful where teams need to inspect visual control relationships during commissioning, maintenance and troubleshooting.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects is 92 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 739 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects, 90% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 40% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects have 24 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 5.7 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects are German (100%), English (71%), and French (36%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects are Manufacturing (100%), Automotive (50%), and Energy (50%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used Function Block Diagram in their recent projects are Product Development (100%), Operations (93%), and Information Technology (86%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used Function Block Diagram
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
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
Would you rather directly get in touch?
We always have the time for a call or email!
Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
