Software-in-the-Loop Experts in Germany
matched in minutes by AIHire experts who validate embedded software in virtual environments, connect models with simulation tools, and prepare SIL test automation for automotive and industrial systems. FRATCH matches you quickly with vetted, available freelancers who fit your technical needs.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used Software-in-the-Loop
Jens R.
Last position:
Platform Architect & Senior Developer at Direct client, industrial measurement technology, medium-sized company
- Technical leadership across hardware, firmware, and software teams; scope: hardware/firmware team (4 people) and leadership group (5 people)
- Consolidated and documented a product family that had grown over more than 15 years and aligned it with CRA compliance — from the bare-metal I/O module to the cloud interface.
- Provided the most important customer product with the essential requirements and architecture documentation within two months — for a firmware landscape that had grown over more than 15 years. It now supports the customer’s modernization strategy.
- Established a monthly reporting line to the supervisory board and executive board within three months: nine meetings since 12/2025. The report itself is versioned and built from the CI pipeline; it is based on automatically collected activity and release data instead of assessments.
- Built a container-based CI/CD infrastructure from scratch: cross-compilation, host tests, and documentation builds in one continuous pipeline.
- Introduced declarative QA gates for DevOps and development artifacts — from the start using lefthook instead of pre-commit, executed in a dedicated container image.
Technologies used: arc42, req42, tpo42, docToolchain, PlantUML, ArchiMate, C4 model, ADR, C, C++ (GTest), CMake, Bare Metal (ARM Cortex-M3/M7), OCI containers, Jenkins, lefthook, Prometheus, Grafana, SBOM, CRA, OPC, SCADA, PLC integration, IPv6 migration, Zero Trust, Sociocracy 3.0, Cynefin
Rajan K.
Last position:
Technical Lead/BTV at BMW, Daimler (Mercedes), VW Group, Hella, Ficosa, Cariad (Audi/Porsche/Skoda)
- Directed full lifecycle of embedded software projects including LiDAR, BMS, OCU, and Cybersecurity systems.
- Coordinated internal and external stakeholders including suppliers like Bosch, Bertrandt, Magna, Continental and IAV.
- Managed cross-country teams of 12–15 engineers, conducting project onboarding and role-based training.
- Implemented change control and risk registers for safety-critical automotive platforms.
- Oversaw project schedules using MS Project, JIRA, and Azure DevOps to ensure milestone alignment and transparency.
- Extensive hands-on expertise in test planning and execution for ECUs in compliance with Automotive SPICE (SWE.4–SWE.6) and ISO 26262.
- Led digital transformation project with a cross-functional team of 15+, ensuring successful integration of systems and workflows.
- Maintained project overviews and tracking in tools like Milestones (Daimler) and MS Project, and managed status reporting to senior stakeholders.
- Coordinated with third-party transformation partners and ensured timely delivery of decision templates and risk assessments.
- Applied PRINCE2 methodology for structured delivery; facilitated agile ceremonies and maintained Confluence-based documentation.
- Strong leadership in cross-functional teams and working in agile environments (SAFe, Scrum).
- Successfully led and supported IT and transformation projects, including those in regulated sectors (e.g., KRITIS or energy sector).
- Represented or supported overall project leadership in large-scale transformation programs.
- Maintained and updated complex project plans (Gantt charts, milestone tracking, and resource allocation).
- Coordinated workstreams and interdisciplinary teams; ensured timely delivery of all work packages.
- Acted as central communication point between project team, senior management, external vendors, and transformation partners.
- Prepared and delivered concise status reports, steering committee presentations, and decision memos.
- Identified project risks, maintained risk registers, and led mitigation planning.
- Assessed resource needs and supported reallocation based on project priorities and constraints.
- Proficient in JIRA, Milestones, Confluence, MS Project, MS PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Used both Agile (Scrum) and Waterfall (PRINCE2, PMI) methodologies.
- Created and tracked action lists, meeting protocols, and backlog items.
- Conducted critical analysis of project progress, resource bottlenecks, and deliverable timelines.
- Ensured alignment of transformation goals with enterprise IT architecture and business objectives.
Ould Aly I.
Last position:
Functional Safety Assessor at VW
- Pre-assessments and review of functional safety status for ADAS ECUs and body controller components
- Conduct functional safety audits
- Review the functional safety status of the E3 1.2 in a pre-assessment
- Document interviews
- Document findings and generate internal reports
Methods:
- ISO26262
- Automotive SPICE Level 2, 3
- Agile methods, SAFe
Tools:
- DOORS
- Enterprise Architect
- JIRA & Confluence
- IQ-FMEA
- Isograph
Anuja C.
Last position:
Embedded Software Engineer at Digital Core Technology
- Designed and implemented embedded firmware in C/C++ for ARM-based microcontrollers and SoCs (STM32, NXP, Infineon)
- Worked across bare-metal, FreeRTOS, and Embedded Linux environments, contributing to BSP-level functionality, driver bring-up, and system integration
- Built, configured, and validated Embedded Linux systems using Yocto, including image build, boot validation, and runtime debugging
- Developed and executed unit, integration, and system-level tests, including HIL and SIL test scenarios on real hardware and simulated environments
- Created Python and Bash scripts to automate build, test execution, simulation runs, and reporting within CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI)
- Designed test cases from software and system-level requirements, covering normal operation, edge cases, and failure scenarios
- Performed low-level debugging using JTAG/GDB, analyzing boot issues, timing problems, interrupts, and peripheral behavior
- Developed and validated communication interfaces including UART, SPI, I2C, CAN using logs and external measurement tools
- Used simulation and virtual test environments to validate software behavior prior to hardware availability
- Read and interpreted hardware schematics to understand signal routing, pin multiplexing, and peripheral connections
- Supported PCB design and review activities using Altium tool, assisting with component selection, pin mapping, and bring-up readiness
- Collaborated with cross-functional hardware, firmware, and system teams to clarify requirements, document assumptions, and improve overall test coverage
- Developed web interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (ES6) and basic REST API development with Node.js
- Experience testing web applications and building UI automation frameworks using Selenium WebDriver
Robert B.
Last position:
Team Lead; Software Developer at Provider of industrial control systems for manufacturing and digital transformation
Industrial Communication | Proof of Concept: Controller-to-Controller Communication with OPC UA FX
Proof of Concept for OPC UA FX-based controller-to-controller communication between virtual programmable logic controllers (vPLC) on an industrial edge platform. A virtual test environment was set up on Debian Linux in two phases (including VMs and vPLCs), shared-memory communication (real-time information bus) was activated, and the RIB solution was integrated into a customized product firmware (including shared memory and PROFINET support) and deployed in containerized environments (Docker). Additionally, a virtual Ethernet connection was developed to simulate the network topology. Finally, commissioning, functional tests, sample application creation, comprehensive documentation, and customer support were completed.
Yimeng W.
Last position:
R&D Software Engineer at Advantest
- Development and maintenance of hardware drivers in C++
- Conducting unit and integration tests to ensure code quality
- Debugging and fixing issues with the hardware team and FPGA team
- Defining and developing software concepts and coordinating with the software architect
- Expanding test automation to improve efficiency
- Research and development of algorithms to improve existing codebases (runtime, memory usage, accuracy)
Hellmuth V.
Last position:
Embedded Software Architect / Team Coordinator at Provider of system solutions in the field of electric drives
- Analysis and inventory of a system consisting of 2 control units
- Creation and derivation of the static software architecture
- Optimization and standardization of structures for model-based control
- Creation of the dynamic software architecture
- Development of improvement proposals in workshops with the customer
Winfried N.
Last position:
Test Manager & Test Automation Engineer at Miele
Create test cases from specifications and agreements
Automate own test cases and those from other sources (e.g. bugs, other testers' test cases)
Manage test cases, check for updates, adjust or discard if needed
Create test sessions, assign testers, test myself (manual & automated)
Perform process and user interface tests on T2 premium dryers
Participate in Scrum meetings (Daily, Sprint Planning, Retrospective)
Prepare tests, e.g. install software/firmware
Report bugs, track them, and retest
Functional tests
Regression tests
End-to-end tests
Load tests
Automated tests
Exploratory tests
Python, pytest, Robot Framework, Selenium (REST API analysis)
Pandas framework
PyCharm, GIT
PTC Windchill RVS, Jira, Confluence
Skylab, Miele OS Tool / Miele Communication Tool
DIAdem (TDMS data analysis & visualization)
Boomerang, Postman, SOAP & REST client
SCOPI programs via PADS editor (JavaScript, device tests)
Muhammad H.
Last position:
Working Student Electrical Engineer Automation at ANDRITZ Gmbh
- Worked on TexManager
- Cost management of PLCs
- Worked on control logics through PLC programming for different changes in automated systems
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using Software-in-the-Loop
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
17 years
Position duration
2.6 years
Positions per freelancer
9
Top business areas
Product Development, Quality Assurance, Information Technology
Top industries
Information Technology, Manufacturing, Automotive
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
86%
Master's degree or higher
57%
Certifications per freelancer
1
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
100%
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 Germany 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 Germany using Software-in-the-Loop
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.
Software-in-the-Loop experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Information Technology (78%)
- Manufacturing (78%)
- Automotive (56%)
- Aerospace and Defense (44%)
- Energy (33%)
- Telecommunication (22%)
- Advertising (11%)
- Banking and Finance (11%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the technology
What Software-in-the-Loop means
Software-in-the-Loop, commonly called SIL, tests software in a simulated environment instead of on physical electronic control units. The production code, or a close executable representation, interacts with virtual sensors, actuators and system models. This makes faults and control logic easier to examine before hardware is available.
What it helps build
SIL is used to verify control software for vehicles, robots, machines, energy systems and other embedded products. It supports repeatable tests for behavior, timing, interfaces and edge cases across the full development cycle.
- Validate model-based control logic
- Run regression tests against virtual plant models
- Check sensor, actuator and communication behavior
- Investigate failures with repeatable simulation scenarios
Tools and adjacent skills
Strong SIL work connects several technical disciplines. Specialists often use MATLAB and Simulink, Stateflow, dSPACE solutions, Vector tools, Python test frameworks or custom C and C++ simulation environments. Knowledge of model-based design, embedded software, requirements engineering and CI automation is equally important.
When companies bring in specialists
Companies seek freelance expertise when a SIL setup must be created, stabilized or extended without slowing the product team. Typical needs include converting system models into executable test environments, integrating production code, defining test oracles and connecting simulation runs to build pipelines. In Germany, this work often supports automotive, mobility, industrial automation and energy programs.
What strong professionals deliver
Experienced SIL professionals define clear boundaries between the software under test, plant models and test infrastructure. They understand numerical behavior, sample times, initialization, interfaces and version control rather than treating simulation as a black box. They also document assumptions and make failures reproducible for teams working across sites or remotely.
- Design meaningful scenarios instead of only happy-path tests
- Align SIL results with requirements and later hardware tests
- Automate reports, traceability and regression execution
- Explain model limitations and integration risks clearly
SIL compared with other test stages
SIL runs software against virtual systems, while Model-in-the-Loop focuses mainly on models and Hardware-in-the-Loop executes software with real or simulated hardware interfaces. SIL is usually faster and cheaper to repeat than HIL, but it cannot expose every processor, wiring or hardware-timing issue. A capable professional knows where SIL evidence is sufficient and when tests must move to HIL or a physical prototype.
Frequently asked questions
The facts hiring teams ask for most often when it comes to Software-in-the-Loop.
Software-in-the-Loop is used to test embedded software against virtual representations of sensors, actuators and the surrounding system. It helps teams find logic errors, interface issues and boundary-case failures before hardware-based validation.
SIL executes software in a simulated environment, while Model-in-the-Loop mainly evaluates functional models before production software is involved. Hardware-in-the-Loop adds real target hardware or hardware interfaces, so it can reveal timing and device-specific issues that SIL may not reproduce.
A strong Software-in-the-Loop specialist usually combines embedded C or C++, MATLAB and Simulink, system modeling and automated testing. Experience with Python, Stateflow, dSPACE, Vector tools, requirements traceability and continuous integration is valuable when the SIL environment is part of a larger delivery process.
The right level depends on the assignment. A focused regression suite may need someone comfortable with test automation, while a new SIL architecture calls for a professional who can define model boundaries, integrate production code and align results with later HIL testing.
Software-in-the-Loop work is often suitable for remote collaboration because models, source code and test results can be shared digitally. On-site sessions may still help with secure environments, proprietary toolchains or close coordination with hardware and validation teams in Germany.
Clarify the software under test, available plant models, target interfaces, tool licenses and expected evidence. For SIL, it is also important to define whether the specialist will build the environment, create scenarios, automate execution or only analyze existing test results.
Review whether the Software-in-the-Loop setup produces repeatable results, traces tests to requirements and makes failures easy to reproduce. Ask how the professional handles initialization, numerical tolerances, model validity, regression coverage and differences between SIL and later hardware tests.
SIL is common in automotive and mobility, but it also supports robotics, industrial automation, aerospace-related systems, energy controls and medical equipment. The method is especially useful wherever embedded behavior must be tested across many operating conditions before physical integration.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects is 90 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 721 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects, 86% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 57% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects have 17 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects are German (100%), English (89%), and French (33%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects are Information Technology (78%), Manufacturing (78%), and Automotive (56%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used Software-in-the-Loop in their recent projects are Product Development (100%), Quality Assurance (89%), and Information Technology (78%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used Software-in-the-Loop
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
