Full-Stack Developer & Engineering Leader
I build and scale reliable production applications - with practical automation and AI when it adds real value.
Ruby on Rails • Next.js (TypeScript/JavaScript) • R/Shiny • Scaled teams 2→20+ • 15+ years shipping real systems
Seasoned full-stack developer and former Director of Engineering. I deliver clean, scalable applications in Ruby on Rails, Next.js (TypeScript/JS), and R/Shiny - enhanced by smart process automation and targeted AI integration that solves real problems, not hype.
Services
Custom Software Development
I build maintainable, production-ready web apps and data tools that scale - with built-in efficiency from day one. Ruby on Rails backends & full-stack SaaS, Next.js (React) frontends & modern apps - JavaScript or TypeScript, R/Shiny interactive dashboards & research prototypes.
Deliverables: Deployed Rails backend, production Next.js app (JS/TS), live Shiny dashboard
Dev Team Leadership & Scaling
Hands-on leadership to grow and run effective engineering teams - proven at 2→20+ developers. Architecture decisions, mentoring, agile workflows, CI/CD setup.
Deliverables: Team structure, hiring processes, development workflows, architecture documentation
Process Automation & AI-Enhanced Workflows
I identify bottlenecks and add intelligent automation (including LLM/NLP) only where it creates measurable impact - always grounded in solid software.
Deliverables: Automated workflows, AI-enhanced features, integration architecture
How I Work
I prioritize shipping solid software - automation and AI make it better, never replace it.
Phase 1: Understand & Build
Dive into your needs and processes. Design and code the reliable core.
Phase 2: Ship & Automate
Launch production-ready code. Spot and eliminate repetitive work.
Phase 3: Optimize & Enhance
Layer in AI and intelligent features where they drive real value - never as a gimmick. Iterate with real usage data.
15+ years shipping production systems - from EdTech platforms at CareerFoundry to contract management at volders (100K+ customers) to research data tools at Oncotest. Solid software foundations, enhanced by automation and AI.
Need a senior developer? I build and ship production applications in Ruby/Rails, Next.js, and R/Shiny - solo or leading your team.
Scaling your team? I bring Director-level experience growing engineering teams from 2 to 20+ developers with proven processes.
Case Studies
CareerFoundry EdTech Platform
Challenge: Growing EdTech company needed a scalable learning platform with payments, course delivery, and infrastructure to support rapid growth.
Solution: Built and evolved the core Rails/React platform. Scaled team from 2→20+ developers as Director of Engineering. Implemented Stripe payments, CI/CD pipelines, and production infrastructure on AWS.
volders Contract Platform
Challenge: Contract management platform serving 100K+ customers needed reliable processing, payment integration, and high-availability infrastructure.
Solution: Developed Ruby on Rails and Elixir microservices architecture. Integrated Braintree payments, led AWS migration, optimized database performance for scale.
Oncotest/4HF Research Data Tools
Challenge: Cancer research organizations needed automated data visualization and processing for complex oncology datasets, GDPR-compliant.
Solution: Built interactive R/Shiny dashboards and automated data pipelines. Migrated Oracle to PostgreSQL. Developed the Oncotest Compendium for research data analysis.
Utterskills AI Mentor
Challenge: Tech teams and individual developers often excel at code but struggle with essential "skills beyond code" - communication, business acumen, leadership, mentoring, collaboration, and ownership - especially as AI changes workflows and expectations.
Solution: Co-founded Utterskills and built an AI-powered mentor platform that combines real-world engineering experience with LLM capabilities. The AI acts as a personalized guide through our "Skills Beyond Code" curriculum, generating tailored real-life scenarios after each lesson to help users apply concepts immediately. Received Forschungszulage (German federal innovation research grant) for development. Full-stack build in progress: Next.js (TypeScript) frontend, Python/LLM backend integration, production-ready deployment architecture.
What clients say
"Florian implemented everything exactly as we envisioned - both at Oncotest and 4HF. He understood our questions deeply and developed excellent programs. Thank you for the many years of collaboration."
"Florian played a central role in shaping our IT & Data Management department. Deep technical expertise, complex systems, commitment to quality. His work on database systems and automation was instrumental."
Proven Track Record
15+ years as a software developer and engineering leader - shipping production applications in Ruby/Rails, Next.js, and R/Shiny across EdTech, Healthcare, and SaaS.
Career Timeline
Software Engineering & Consulting
IT Consultant
Freelance
Jul 2015 - Present
Full-stack software development and consulting across healthcare, education, and SaaS. Building production applications in Ruby/Rails, Next.js, and R/Shiny. Process automation and AI integration. Recent: data visualization and automation tools for cancer research at 4HF Biotech.
Lead Software Engineer
CareerFoundry
Aug 2018 - Feb 2020
Led development of core platform features, optimized system performance, and mentored junior engineers. Contributed to architecture decisions and collaborated with product and design teams.
Senior Backend Engineer
CareerFoundry
Feb 2018 - Jul 2018
Refactored and enhanced the learning platform (Rails, React), optimized Stripe payment integration, and improved backend performance and scalability.
Senior Software Engineer
volders GmbH
Jun 2016 - Jan 2018
Developed Ruby and Elixir applications, led AWS migration, integrated Braintree payment solution, and optimized database performance for contract management platform. Implemented microservices architecture and CI/CD pipelines for improved deployment processes.
Software Developer
Oncotest GmbH
2009 - Dec 2012
Developed software solutions for oncology research data management and analysis. Built database systems, data processing pipelines, and research tools using various programming languages and technologies.
Leadership & Team Management
Co-Founder
Utterskills
Oct 2023 - Present
Co-founded and building AI mentor for tech teams using Next.js and LLM integration. Received Forschungszulage (German innovation research grant). Full-stack development and production deployment.
Director of Engineering
CareerFoundry
Jul 2020 - Jun 2023
Led technical vision and engineering organization. Scaled teams from 2→20+ developers. Oversaw architecture decisions, hiring, mentoring, agile workflows, CI/CD, and production infrastructure on AWS.
Head of Development
CareerFoundry
Feb 2020 - Jul 2020
Led the engineering team, redesigned development workflows, and enhanced system architecture for the online education platform. Implemented agile best practices and mentored developers.
Group Leader IT & Data Management
Oncotest GmbH
Jan 2013 - Jun 2015
Led software development team, migrated Oracle to PostgreSQL, and developed Oncotest Compendium for oncology research. Built custom data visualization tools using R and Shiny for research data analysis.
Technology Expertise
Backend & Full-Stack
Frontend
Data & Visualization
Infrastructure & DevOps
Domains
About Me
15+ years as full-stack developer and engineering leader - building and scaling production apps in healthcare, EdTech, and SaaS.
Now Co-Founder at Utterskills (Next.js + LLM mentor, Forschungszulage-funded). Previously Director of Engineering at CareerFoundry: grew team 2→20+, shipped scalable Rails/React platform.
I ship working code - not just docs. Ruby on Rails, Next.js (TypeScript/JS), R/Shiny. Most Rails devs don't touch LLMs; most AI consultants can't ship scalable production backends. You get both - reliable code + smarter systems.
Key Wins
- Full-stack expertise: Ruby/Rails, Next.js (TypeScript/JavaScript), R/Shiny, PostgreSQL, AWS
- Scaled teams 2→20+ (CareerFoundry)
- 100K+ user systems (volders)
- Research tools for cancer data (Oncotest, 4HF)
- Active LLM product dev (Utterskills)
Education
Diplom-Informatiker (M.Sc. equivalent)
University of Freiburg
Computer Science (major) & Bioinformatics (minor)
2003 – 2009
Thesis: "Development of linguistic comparative methods to analyse data from web forums"
Certifications
ThePowerMBA
ThePowerMBA
Scrum Master
Scrum Alliance
Let's Build Something Solid
Need reliable code shipped fast? A senior dev to lead or build? A team that needs scaling? Let's talk.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Book a free 30-min call - we'll map your project, stack, and next steps.
Schedule Free ConsultationPhone
linkedin.com/in/florian-schmidt-64b4645a
Business Address
Florian Schmidt
Freiburg, Germany
VAT: DE299949804
Website: fkschmidt.com