AI systems that survive production.
Julian Hilzinger
Trusted by leading organizations
“Outstanding in implementing complex requirements.”
Julian Hilzinger
With over 10 years of experience, I specialize in modernizing complex legacy systems, cloud-native architectures, and strategically integrating AI agents. I design the governance layers and meta-systems in which agents operate safely, transparently, and cost-efficiently.
As a freelancer since 2022, I help companies connect technical excellence with strategic thinking – from initial architecture design to production deployment including CI/CD, mentoring, and technical leadership.
My Services
Three situations in which clients bring me in.
Your legacy system slows down every release
I modernize monolithic legacy systems incrementally into scalable microservice architectures — strangler-fig pattern, domain-driven design, no big-bang risk. Proven: 20+ modules extracted from an enterprise codebase.
Your AI agents should do real work, not demos
MCP servers, agent orchestration, and governance layers for autonomous workflows: verification loops, cost control, and guard-rails so AI agents operate safely, auditably, and EU-AI-Act-compliant in production.
Your team should ship AI-native — without losing quality
Level-5 Claude Code practice: I set goals, agent teams deliver — secured by prompt contracts and hooks/guard-rails integrated into CI/CD. Teams working with me ship AI-assisted features faster — with verification instead of trust.
The AI Coding Levels model →Two Competence Fields, One Goal: Production Readiness
Not a tool list — two fields in which I take responsibility for production systems.
Legacy Modernization
Monolithic legacy systems become scalable, cloud-native architectures — incrementally, following the strangler-fig pattern and domain-driven design, without big-bang risk. Proven in a 3-year engagement: 20+ modules extracted from an enterprise codebase and shipped to production, containerized.
Agentic AI Governance
AI agents allowed to do real work need a control layer: MCP server infrastructure, verification loops, cost control, and guard-rails directly in CI/CD. I build the governance that keeps autonomous workflows transparent, auditable, and EU-AI-Act-compliant.
Professional Experience
From university to senior freelancer – a path shaped by innovation and technical growth.
Senior Software Architect & AI Engineer
Software architecture & AI engineering, cloud-native solutions, technical leadership, digital transformation strategy, Industry 4.0 & rapid prototyping for national and international clients across industry and the public sector.
Lecturer
Module "Mobile Systems and Cloud" – teaching iOS, Android, Azure Cloud, digitalization, software architecture, and mobile systems.
Head of IT Innovations
App development (Apple, Android, Web), full stack, AR/VR (HoloLens), machine learning, prototyping new IT technologies, developing innovative business models, project management, IT trade fair appearances (EMO, AMB, METAV).
Software Developer & Architect
App development (Apple, Android, Web), full stack, AR/VR, cognitive services, artificial intelligence. Technical project lead for a large-scale project (> 800 man-days).
Research Associate
Development of an ontology editor based on the Java programming language.
Selected Projects
A selection of completed and ongoing freelance projects.
Full Stack Engineer AI Native
Migration of a legacy system to a cloud solution (Java, Spring Boot, Angular, AWS). Fully AI-native development approach using Claude Code at Level 5 – autonomous agent teams, with the human setting goals and owning outcomes. CI/CD pipelines, containerized deployments.
Herd Management Platform
Modularization of an existing monolithic architecture into independent, containerized microservices (Java 21/25, Spring Boot 3). Built MCP server infrastructure for AI agents and process automation. 3-year engagement | 20+ modules extracted | CI/CD with Azure Pipelines.
Digital Funding Platform
Digital platform for managing and analyzing nationwide funding. Microservices architecture with web application, Django admin backend, Spring Boot components, and MySQL database. Project management and software architecture.
FC Bayern Hackdays – Telekom Challenge
Prototype development of an AR application for Microsoft HoloLens to enhance the football experience around the TV. Team leadership and development within 48 hours.
Education & Certifications
A solid academic foundation complemented by continuous education and international certifications.
Degrees & Education
Certifications
Awards
Recognition for outstanding achievements in academia, innovation, and technology.
Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn Award
Best graduate of the M.Sc. Business Analytics program, awarded by the Philipp-Matthäus-Hahn Foundation.
1st Place FC Bayern Hackdays
Winner of the Telekom Challenge with AR/VR project. Programming competition with more than 1,300 applicants.
IDEA Award
Innovative. Digital. Experience. Award – for outstanding digital innovation at Gühring IT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clients typically ask before working together.
What services does Julian Hilzinger offer?
Two focus areas: legacy modernization with Java & Spring Boot (incrementally turning monoliths into cloud-native microservices, with no big-bang risk) and agentic-AI governance (MCP servers, verification loops, cost control and guard rails for production-grade AI agents). Plus full-stack engineering, tech lead & mentoring, technical due diligence and architecture workshops.
What is an MCP server and why do AI agents need governance?
An MCP server (Model Context Protocol) gives AI agents controlled access to systems and data. Without a governance layer, agents operate unchecked. I build the control layer — verification loops, cost control and guard rails right in CI/CD — so autonomous workflows stay traceable, auditable and EU-AI-Act-compliant.
Do you work remotely and across the DACH region?
Yes. I work remotely for clients throughout the DACH region, based in Fridingen a.d. Donau, Baden-Württemberg. Communication in German (native) and English.
What does EU-AI-Act-compliant mean in practice?
The EU AI Act requires traceability, risk classification and auditability of AI systems. I embed those requirements technically: logging and verification of agent actions, clear guard rails and documented control points — instead of after-the-fact compliance paperwork.
How does an engagement work and how fast do you respond?
From architecture design through CI/CD to production delivery, including mentoring and technical leadership — freelancing since 2022. I typically respond to enquiries within 24 hours.
Get in Touch
Have an exciting project? Let's talk.
Direct Contact
I look forward to your inquiry and typically respond within 24 hours.
How I work: The AI Coding Levels model →