Dr. Michael Förster

Dr. Michael Förster

AI Consulting | Software Development | Machine Learning | Cloud Engineering

Freelance AI developer and Rust expert based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. On-site in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen, remote for Berlin, Munich and all of Germany, and in English for clients in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

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About me

I am Dr. Michael Förster, a freelance AI developer and software engineer from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with more than a decade of experience in backend development, machine learning and AI technologies. As a freelancer I use Rust, Go, Python and C/C++ to build scalable, high-performance solutions for complex problems. In addition I bring deep expertise in MLOps, LLMOps and DevSecOps for the seamless integration, scaling and hardening of modern AI systems.

Rust is my preferred language for performance-critical backend services, compute kernels and systems software. In client projects I combine Rust with machine learning and LLM components, Go and Python services, and cloud infrastructure on Google Cloud, so that AI systems do not just work but also run fast, securely and maintainably in production.

Services

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Backend Development

High-performance, scalable architectures in Rust, Go and Python.

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Machine Learning & AI

Development and optimisation of LLMs and ML pipelines.

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MLOps & LLMOps

Model deployment, automation and lifecycle management.

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Parallel Computing

Expertise in multi-threading, distributed and high-performance systems.

Experience

Over my career I have worked in fintech, compiler development and embedded systems. I hold a PhD in Computer Science from RWTH Aachen University on automatic differentiation of parallel programs. My thesis was published by Springer Vieweg: Algorithmic Differentiation of Pragma-Defined Parallel Regions: Differentiating Computer Programs Containing OpenMP. My current certifications:

Where I work

My office is in Simmerath in the Eifel region of Germany, about one hour from Cologne and half an hour from Aachen. Most of my clients are in North Rhine-Westphalia. Beyond that I work remotely for companies across Germany, for example in Berlin and Munich, and in English for companies in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

North Rhine-Westphalia

Clients in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Bonn and the whole Rhineland. On-site meetings, workshops and project work are the norm here.

Remote across Germany

For companies in Berlin, Munich and the rest of Germany I work remotely. Kick-off and workshop days on site can be arranged.

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

I work in English with clients in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, mostly remotely. Simmerath is close to the Belgian and Dutch border, so on-site meetings in the Benelux region are easy to arrange.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work on-site with clients in Cologne or Düsseldorf?

Yes. Most of my clients are in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen. On-site meetings there are routine; my office in Simmerath is about one hour from Cologne.

Do you take on projects for companies outside NRW, for example in Berlin or Munich?

Yes. For companies in Berlin, Munich and the rest of Germany I work remotely. Kick-off or workshop days on site can be arranged.

Do you work with companies in Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg?

Yes. I work in English with clients in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, mostly remotely. Simmerath is close to the Belgian and Dutch border, so on-site meetings in the Benelux region are easy to arrange.

What is your experience with Rust?

Rust is my preferred language for performance-critical backend services, compute kernels and systems software. I use Rust in client projects and combine it with Go, Python and C/C++ as well as machine learning and LLM components.

Which AI services do you offer as a freelancer?

Development and fine-tuning of LLMs, machine learning pipelines, RAG systems, MLOps and LLMOps (deployment, monitoring, lifecycle management), GPU-level optimisation, and AI consulting on architecture and feasibility.