Functional Safety Experts in Germany
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Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used Functional Safety
Frank Meier
Last position:
EHS / Product HSE Manager at Deutsche Bundesmarine
PHSE engineering and management Project management in a global industrial company and with the end customer German Federal Navy
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
Kartheek Kumar Kothapalli
Last position:
Advisor & Investor (Limited Partner) at Destrosolutions
- Advised the executive team on the strategy, architecture, and development of an AI-powered Product Security Operations Center (PSOC); a cybersecurity operating system for software-defined cyber physical connected systems.
- Provided strategic guidance on product vision, regulatory alignment, and market positioning, supporting capabilities across threat intelligence, vulnerability management, compliance automation, and autonomous product security.
Ljubomir Obrenovic
Last position:
Senior Software Test Engineer at Keil KTM GmbH
Temporary employment
- System black-box integration tests (BBIT, IVVQ): Execution of regression, release, acceptance, and compliance tests for safety-critical brake control units in the rail industry
- Software test application & integration: Runtime configuration of software components and libraries, validation of interfaces, configuration dependencies, and component interactions
- Test automation (FEAT framework): Co-development and further development of an automated test framework for test execution, reporting, and result analysis
- Functional safety (SiL4, FuSi): Ensuring compliance with safety requirements, traceability and coverage, as well as standards compliance according to EN50126/28/29
- Test automation for communication components: Configuration and validation of fieldbus (CAN) and Ethernet-based TCMS data communication interfaces (TRDP and CIP)
- Requirements analysis & shift-left (PTC Windchill ALM): Analysis of software and system artifacts to identify gaps, ambiguities, and redundancies early in the SDLC
- Test design & test case development: Derivation of test conditions, coverage strategies, and implementation of data-driven test cases (DDT), including reusable test data fixtures
- CI/CD & automation (Python, PowerShell, Jenkins, SVN): Automation of build, test, and HIL deployment processes as well as integration into CI/CD pipelines
- Test data & configuration management (XML): Maintenance and adaptation of XML test vectors and system configurations with automated integration into test environments
- Non-functional testing: Execution of performance and load tests to assess stability and system behavior
- Agile development & defect management (JIRA, Confluence): Participation in Scrum teams, test coordination, review of test artifacts, as well as defect tracking and root-cause analysis
- Error analysis & debugging (CANoe, CANalyzer): Analysis of errors and message flows across multiple system layers (application to bus)
- Model-based analysis (UML, Enterprise Architect): Specification of SUT/SOW and support for systematic test control
- Process & test documentation: Creation of integration and test documentation according to internal quality and certification requirements
Saurabh Helambe
Last position:
Master Thesis, Simulation at AVL in Germany
- Engineered and validated a full-vehicle thermal management system in MiL simulation, achieving 95% correlation accuracy against real-world vehicle measurements, directly supporting virtual calibration and reducing dependency on physical test benches.
- Led end-to-end Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) simulation development using AVL CruiseM and MATLAB/Simulink, covering system architecture, parameterization, and validation.
- Acquired and analyzed vehicle sensor measurements (temperature, volumetric flow rate) using dSpace MicroAutoBox (HiL) and IPEmotion, translating raw data into actionable calibration insights.
- Calibrated and optimized critical actuators and thermal components - pumps, valves, electric heaters, heat exchangers, and refrigerant circuits and identified/integrated previously missing physical behaviors to close the gap between simulated and real vehicle performance.
- Designed and tuned an integrated actuator controller with precisely calibrated parameters, producing a high-accuracy virtual model adopted for downstream development use.
Olfa Azzabi
Last position:
Senior Embedded Software Engineer / Function Developer at Enginius GmbH (FAUN GROUP)
- Developed model-based software for hydrogen tank control units using MATLAB/Simulink, aligned with ISO 26262 functional safety requirements
- Performed system integration and software verification across MIL and HIL environments using dSPACE and Vector tools
- Defined software architecture (SADS) with interface specifications for CAN, analog, and digital communication protocols
- Generated production-ready embedded C code using Simulink Embedded Coder; created and maintained A2L calibration files with CANape
- Designed and executed MIL/HIL test cases ensuring full coverage of functional and safety requirements
- Implemented CODESYS PLC applications on IFM ecomatController; applied CAN and Modbus TCP/IP communication protocols
- Contributed to HMI/UI development using Qt/C++ on Linux (Qt Creator)
- Applied agile Kanban workflow with Git-based version control (Bitbucket)
Tools: MATLAB, Simulink, CANape, CANalyzer, PCAN-View, Embedded Coder, CODESYS, TTC2038/PXROS, Codebeamer, Jira, Git
Sunish Bharathan
Last position:
AtlasMind - Production AI assistant for Jira at Mercedes Benz Innovation Labs Gmbh
- Converts natural language into JQL using RAG and pgvector. Returns structured JSON with a query, chart spec, and plain-text answer. A two-stage router answers general questions without touching the JQL pipeline at all.
- Interchangeable LLM backends: Ollama, vLLM, Groq, Anthropic Claude, AWS Bedrock - switchable at runtime, no code changes. Self-healing JQL: on Jira validation failure, feeds error back to LLM, retries up to 4 times. OCI Vault for secrets. Deployed on Oracle Cloud A1 with GPU inference over Tailscale private network. Open source.
Mohamed Issam Khelifi
Last position:
Cyber Security Software Project Manager (ADAS) at Continental
- SW project coordination, integration of cyber security functions, and planning/tracking of processes (CS-DIA) with the customer
- Team management, preparation of cyber security qualification, and conducting audits
- Multinational team (Serbia, Germany) and supplier support (Tier 2: Renesas, Eeins, Argus …)
S.r.k. Chandra
Last position:
Senior Software Engineer at STEPPS GmbH / Motherson Dr. Schneider
Project: Intelligent Light Communication Software — Audi
- Analysis and clarification of system requirements with the customer and translation into software architecture and design decisions
- Architecture and implementation of CAN FD and SPI communication on NXP S32K312
- Design and development of flash bootloader, flash driver, and boot manager for secure OTA-capable updates
- Configuration of the AUTOSAR BSW architecture (Dcm, Dem, NvM, BswM, Os, Mcu, Port, Com stack, Rtc) for portability and maintainability
- Design of the crypto stack (Csm, CryIf, Crypto) for secure flash and diagnostic data; integration of the NXP HSE core and wrapper layer
- Integration of customer-specific modules (Sfd, Ivd, Npm) into the Vector AUTOSAR stack
- Definition of the memory architecture: Memmap, CMake, and linker script configuration
- Leading board bring-up for the Audi light demo platform; implementation of diagnostic routines and identifiers
Pierre-Jean Albertini-Fujii
Last position:
Verification Engineer – Aviation at Tri.Merge GmbH
- Automated Python-based analysis of test script repositories
- Built a SQLite database for signal and value tracking
- Identified critical discrepancies with ad-hoc SQL queries
- Technologies: Python, SQLite, Excel/ODBC
Michael Löbbecke
Last position:
CTO at SNIPE Germany GmbH
Software service provider for AI solutions, automation, and custom software.
Team: built from 2 to 10 developers, 8 direct reports, partly remote · Portfolio: 6 parallel projects (€25k–€250k), scaling > €1M
- Ensured delivery capability for 6 parallel customer projects: role model, capacity planning (510–660 productive person-days/year), hiring roadmap with €380k–€440k/year personnel budget
- Established SDLC framework from scratch in under 6 months: REQ/SPEC structure, V-model gates, GitHub Issues as specification, Definition of Done, release process; consistent, auditable development process across all customer projects
- Prepared large program (3,000–4,000 person-days over 18 months) for decision readiness: AI-native industry platform for the construction sector; scoping, team profile for 8–10 developers, phase 0 budget €390k
- Designed and introduced self-hosted AI platform: vLLM, LiteLLM, Qdrant, Supabase; agent architecture, MCP integration, OCR pipelines; prepared GPU investment with break-even model (month 15–16)
- Systematized presales end to end: lead qualification with maturity scoring, discovery workshops, own sizing model, costing with loaded hourly rates, structured handover to development
- Tangibly improved the security level of a customer platform: penetration test incl. re-verification of all findings
Torsten Voegler
Last position:
COO/CTO (Freelance) at Reitreal LLC
- Setting up and running operations for offering multi-level tokenized real estate investment possibilities,
- Start-up preparations, establishing a real estate investment trust (REIT)
- Communication with SEC, technology provider selection, etc.
Kai Wolf
Last position:
Schwarz IT KG
- Migration of the software development process of a medical technology software to C/C++ package manager Conan and development of macOS-specific system components
Martin Puskajler
Last position:
Product Owner at Freelance
- Objective: Create a machine-readable dataset for aid applications that aligns with the new specialized procedure
- Rollout of the solution to first user groups
- Established a user feedback loop
- Released versions 1.0 and 1.1 based on first user feedback and improvements
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
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using Functional Safety
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
21 years
Position duration
3.4 years
Positions per freelancer
11
Top business areas
Product Development, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Top industries
Automotive, Manufacturing, Information Technology
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Product Development, Information Technology
Bachelor's degree or higher
95%
Master's degree or higher
69%
Doctorate
13%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
99%
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 Functional Safety
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
Safety-critical scope
Functional safety covers systems that must stay within safe limits when faults happen. It is common in automotive, industrial automation, rail, medical devices, and energy systems. Work often centers on ISO 26262, IEC 61508, SIL, and safety goals that protect people, equipment, and production.
Typical deliverables
- Hazard analysis and risk assessment
- Safety concept and technical safety requirements
- Safety case and traceability work
- Verification, validation, and review support
- Documentation for audits and assessments
Tooling and standards
Strong specialists know the standard behind the system, not just the document names. They work with requirements tools, traceability workflows, test evidence, and sometimes model-based development or fault-injection setups. In Germany, many projects also need clean handovers between engineering teams, suppliers, and assessors.
When to bring in freelance help
Companies bring in freelance expertise when a safety program needs extra capacity or a fresh review. That includes new product launches, platform changes, supplier integration, and preparation for external assessment. It also helps when internal teams need support for legacy systems, especially when the original safety rationale is incomplete.
What strong specialists do well
A good specialist turns vague risk discussions into clear, testable requirements. They can trace a fault from hazard to mitigation and explain where evidence is still missing. They also know how to balance safety, functionality, and delivery pressure without weakening the case.
Germany collaboration
Projects in Germany often mix remote analysis with on-site workshops, especially for safety concept work, audits, and cross-team reviews. Clear English is usually enough for technical work, while German can help in workshops, supplier discussions, and local compliance contexts. That mix matters in automotive, manufacturing, and rail programs.
Frequently asked questions
Everything clients usually want to know about Functional Safety, in one place.
Functional Safety covers how a system reacts when something goes wrong, so the failure does not create unacceptable risk. In practice, that means hazard analysis, safety requirements, diagnostics, safe states, and evidence that the design behaves as intended under fault conditions.
No. Functional Safety is the broader discipline, while ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 are common standards used to apply it in specific domains. Automotive teams often work with ISO 26262, while broader industrial and cross-domain systems often rely on IEC 61508 and SIL thinking.
A Functional Safety specialist is useful when a product needs a safety concept, a safety case, or structured verification evidence. Typical work includes new system launches, supplier changes, control-system updates, and projects where safety documentation must stand up to an assessment or audit.
A strong Functional Safety professional usually understands requirements engineering, systems engineering, testing, and failure analysis. For embedded products, software, hardware, and architecture knowledge matter too, because safety decisions often cut across all three.
The answer depends on the risk and the missing work. A smaller review or gap analysis may need one experienced Functional Safety expert, while a full safety lifecycle effort needs deeper coverage across concept, implementation, and verification. The key is proven work on similar systems, not generic compliance knowledge.
Much of Functional Safety can be done remotely, especially analysis, documentation, and review work. Workshops, hardware discussions, and assessor meetings often benefit from being on-site in Germany, particularly when teams need fast decisions across engineering and quality functions.
Look for clear examples of safety concepts, traceability, and verification evidence in the candidate's background. A good Functional Safety specialist can explain trade-offs, identify missing inputs early, and connect standards to real engineering decisions instead of quoting clauses without context.
Freelancers working in Functional Safety should expect structured documentation, close coordination with system and test teams, and careful review cycles. The best projects also give access to architecture details, fault assumptions, and the people who can approve changes quickly.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used Functional Safety in their recent projects is 105 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 839 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used Functional Safety in their recent projects, 95% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 69% hold at least a Master's degree, and 13% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used Functional Safety 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 Germany who have used Functional Safety in their recent projects are German (100%), English (97%), and French (29%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used Functional Safety in their recent projects are Automotive (91%), Manufacturing (71%), and Information Technology (38%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used Functional Safety in their recent projects are Product Development (96%), Quality Assurance (96%), and Project Management (78%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used Functional Safety
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.
Munich 
Stuttgart Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
