DACH talent solutions

I take ownership of the search and process.

I help businesses across Germany, Austria and Switzerland solve difficult talent and delivery challenges through retained search, freelance specialists and SOW/Werkvertrag solutions.

I’m a candidate or freelancer
Honest market advice first. Services delivered through Optimus Search GmbH.
400+professionals placed
90+companies partnered
92%candidate retention at 12 months
24–48 hrsaverage time to shortlist

The markets I cover.

Select a market to see the core skills and leadership profiles I recruit across permanent, freelance and outcome-led engagements.

Semiconductors & Precision Engineering

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Specialists across product development, advanced manufacturing and high-precision systems.

IC design & verificationSemiconductor processPhotonics & lasersOptical metrologyPrecision mechatronicsApplication & field service

Embedded Software & Electronics

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Engineering talent from device-level development through integration and verification.

Embedded C/C++Firmware & RTOSEmbedded LinuxFPGA & RTLAnalogue & digital electronicsBLE, Wi-Fi & connectivity

Automation & Industrial Engineering

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Hands-on expertise for automated equipment, manufacturing and industrial delivery.

PLC & Siemens TIA PortalRobotics & motion controlMachine safetySystems integrationManufacturing engineeringTechnical project delivery

Technology & Digital Transformation

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Technology specialists who modernise platforms, products and operating models.

Software architectureCloud & platform engineeringData & AISAP & ERP transformationCybersecurityProduct & programme delivery

Financial Technology & Regulated Programmes

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Delivery capability for complex financial platforms and change under regulatory pressure.

Payments & banking platformsRegulatory changeBusiness analysisProgramme managementQuality & complianceRisk & governance

Executive & Technical Leadership

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Leaders who can translate commercial priorities into credible technical execution.

CTO & VP TechnologyVP Product & EngineeringEngineering DirectorsHeads of EngineeringTransformation DirectorsProgramme leadership

Not seeing your exact discipline? Bring me the problem. I will tell you honestly whether my network and delivery model can add value.

Three solutions. One point of accountability.

I do not start with a recruitment product. I start with the business problem, the required outcome and the risk of getting it wrong—then recommend the model that gives you the strongest route to delivery.

RETAINED

Committed search

For critical appointments, leadership hires and multi-role builds that require priority and full market coverage.

  • Requirement and stakeholder alignment
  • Target-market mapping
  • Weekly search reporting
  • Interview and offer management
Explore Retained Search →
FREELANCE

Specialist capability, fast

For urgent skills gaps and project pressure where proven expertise is needed without long-term headcount.

  • Availability and rate benchmarking
  • Project-specific qualification
  • Engagement and onboarding support
  • Extension and delivery follow-up
Explore Freelance →
SOW · WERKVERTRAG

Outcome-led delivery

For defined work packages where scope, milestones and acceptance criteria must be clear from day one.

  • Work-package definition
  • Milestones and acceptance criteria
  • Resource and delivery planning
  • Reporting and structured handover
Explore SOW / Werkvertrag →

Selective search. Measurable efficiency.

Eight-plus years of delivery data shows a controlled recruitment process: fewer irrelevant profiles, stronger progression and clear conversion through the funnel.

3:1CVs submitted to placementShortlists built for relevance, not volume
2:1CVs submitted to final interviewStrong alignment before client interview time is used
2:1Final interviews to placementConsistent conversion at the decision stage

Historic recruitment ratios across 8+ years. They evidence process quality but do not guarantee future outcomes.

A clear process. No CV queue.

Every engagement starts with the operating reality, not a recycled job description. You know what happens next, what the market is saying and where I own the process.

01

Briefing & market read

I test the must-haves, trade-offs, budget and risks—then tell you whether the requirement is realistically deliverable.

Initial market assessment targeted within 24 hours.
02

Search & assessment

Direct market mapping and qualification against the real environment, including strengths, risks, motivation, availability and compensation.

Written context with every recommended profile.
03

Shortlist & interviews

A focused shortlist rather than volume, with scheduling, preparation and direct feedback managed on both sides.

Urgent freelance options typically targeted within 24–48 hours.
04

Offer, onboarding & delivery

I stay close through offer, resignation, onboarding, extensions and project delivery—resolving issues before they become expensive.

Follow-up matched to the hire or project milestones.
For candidates & freelancers

Your experience deserves proper representation.

I will give you an accurate view of the opportunity, honest feedback and clear support throughout the process.

Accurate briefingUnderstand the role, project and decision process before committing time.
Market perspectiveReceive realistic salary, rate and availability guidance.
Direct feedbackKnow where you stand and what happens next.
Ongoing supportSupport continues through offer, contract, onboarding and delivery.

Useful before we speak.

Three practical checks to help you sharpen the requirement, choose the right engagement model and avoid wasting weeks in the market.

Is the requirement actually hireable?
  • The must-haves are separated from preferences.
  • The salary or rate reflects the available market.
  • Location and onsite expectations are realistic.
  • Decision-makers and interview stages are clear.
  • There is an approved route to hire.
Which engagement model fits?
  • Retained: critical, leadership or multi-role search.
  • Freelance: urgent capability or capacity pressure.
  • SOW / Werkvertrag: defined outcomes, milestones and acceptance.
What speeds up a quality shortlist?
  • The business problem—not only the job title.
  • Required outcomes in the first 90 days.
  • Technical environment and stakeholder context.
  • Budget, start date and genuine trade-offs.
  • Why the right person should engage.
Not sure where the requirement sits?

Answer a few questions and I will recommend the most credible route.

How I turn requirements into delivery.

Anonymised examples showing the commercial problem, the structure I applied and the value created. Client identities and confidential details are protected.

SOW / ENGINEERING

From open-ended support to accountable work packages

ChallengeA global equipment business needed specialist engineering support across experimental work, analysis and integration.

ApproachThe scope was structured into work packages with milestones, deliverables, acceptance criteria and handover.

ValueA clearer route to delivery, ownership and commercial control.

SPECIALIST SEARCH

Search built around the operating reality

ChallengeAn industrial technology company needed a specialist able to combine laser metrology, automation diagnostics and international service work.

ApproachThe search was anchored in the actual system, failure modes, travel pattern and customer environment.

ValueQualification based on contribution and context—not a generic title match.

PROJECT DELIVERY

Complex support simplified into clear outcomes

ChallengeA global financial-technology organisation needed time-bound external project support with clearer commercial ownership.

ApproachMultiple activities were consolidated into defined outcome areas, responsibilities and delivery dates.

ValueA simpler scope for stakeholders to approve, manage and assess.

Reputation built on the experience.

Ten LinkedIn recommendations reinforce the same standard: responsive, needs-led, precise and accountable service for clients and candidates.

“Problem solver and a person you can communicate openly with.”
Freelance ConsultantDACH technology engagement
“His response to my requests is always prompt and precise.”
Senior Technology ProfessionalDACH hiring process
About Ardian

Specialist knowledge. Commercial accountability.

Ardian GradicaDACH Talent Solutions

For more than eight years, I have helped businesses across the DACH region secure difficult-to-find professionals and deliver critical programmes. My coverage spans Semiconductors & Precision Engineering, Embedded Software & Electronics, Automation & Industrial Engineering, Technology & Digital Transformation, Financial Technology & Regulated Programmes, and Executive & Technical Leadership.

I work across permanent recruitment, freelance specialists and outcome-led SOW/Werkvertrag delivery. The model changes with the requirement; the standard does not: honest market advice, focused shortlists, direct communication and ownership from the first briefing through to placement and delivery.

400+ professionals placed across 90+ partner companies.92% candidate retention at 12 months, with urgent shortlists typically delivered within 24–48 hours.

That track record is supported by an established specialist network, 87% repeat-client business and more than 12,000 LinkedIn connections and followers. The value is not access to more CVs—it is knowing who is relevant, what the market will realistically deliver and how to keep the process moving.

Permanent & retained searchFreelance specialistsSOW / WerkvertragDACH market coverage

Bring me the business problem—not a polished job description.

I will tell you what the market can realistically deliver, which model fits and where the risks sit. If I cannot add value, I will say so.

agradica@optimussearch.com · +49 (0) 30 700 107 698

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