Engineer & technologist

About me

Engineer in mechanical engineering and automation technology and certified business specialist (Dipl. Fachwirt) with 25 years of practice between machines, code and creativity: PLC commissioning all over the world – as one of the first commissioning engineers of the KNAPP OSR Shuttle system –, software for flight simulators up to Level D, full-stack development, 3D reconstruction in Unreal Engine 5 and local AI. I try out new technologies early on and turn ideas into working solutions.

Location
Wagna, Styria, Austria
Languages
German (native), English (working language in international projects)
Degrees
Engineer (Ing.) – mechanical engineering and automation · Dipl. Fachwirt – marketing and management
Get in touch
Ing. Richard Reinisch
25 years of experience 15 countries with assignments
25 years of experience since 2001
15 countries with assignments from the USA to Myanmar
4 top-rated employment references
2 languages German · English

Profile

Personality & working style

How I work – and how others experience me

Curious & playful

An early adopter by conviction: with small technical experiments I check early on whether an idea holds up – before it gets expensive.

Meta perspective

I bring customer expectations and company goals together, spot technical interdependencies early and research even big-picture contexts thoroughly.

Passionate troubleshooter

Strong troubleshooting skills – from a fault on a special-purpose machine to a bug in the backend. I stay on it until the root cause is found.

A fine sense

Highly sensitive – I pick up on technical and human nuances early: an unusual noise in a machine as well as the mood in a team.

Open & collegial

I do my best work in a pleasant, appreciative atmosphere. My employment references describe me as reliable, open and collegial.

Wants to make a difference

Motivated to make things noticeably better – for the people who work with them and for the company.

Expertise

Technology map

Highlighted = key areas

Software & backend

  • Java
  • C++
  • Python
  • Hibernate / JPA
  • C#
  • REST APIs / webhooks / integration
  • Performance optimisation
  • Architecture & design patterns
  • Qt · Boost · POCO
  • JSP · Tomcat · Apache
  • WebSockets & Sockets
  • XML · XSL-FO · JSON · PDF generation
  • Dashboards & Charts
  • Bash · Perl · shell scripts
  • Web scraping & link checks

Artificial intelligence

  • LLMs & local AI
  • Machine learning (PyTorch)
  • TTS / STT
  • Ollama · LangChain · Hugging Face
  • Llama 3 · DeepSeek · Qwen · Mistral
  • RAG & Embeddings
  • Fine-tuning (SFT, Unsloth)
  • LLM APIs (cloud & local)
  • Claude · ChatGPT · Perplexity
  • AI pair programming (Junie)
  • NLP & Word2Vec
  • GAN / image-to-image (Pix2Pix)
  • Generative AI (image, video, music)

3D & visualisation

  • Unreal Engine
  • Video shooting, editing & motion
  • 3D modelling (LightWave)
  • VR / XR
  • Digital twin / simulation
  • Blender
  • GIS / terrain (QGIS)
  • Data visualisation
  • Photorealistic rendering
  • 3D printing & laser cutting

Automation & PLC

  • PLC / Siemens S5–S7
  • HMI / SCADA (WinCC, zenon)
  • Fieldbuses (Profibus, Profinet, CAN)
  • Electrical & control cabinets (EPLAN)
  • Safety technology
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Control engineering (basics)

Hardware & electronics

  • Robotics & maker electronics
  • Microcontrollers / embedded
  • PC / IT hardware
  • Electrics 12/24 V & 230 V
  • Home & building automation
  • GNSS · RTK · NTRIP
  • LiDAR scanning
  • Radio & telemetry

Service & commissioning

  • Commissioning
  • Fault analysis & troubleshooting
  • Training & coaching
  • Customer support
  • International assignments
  • Technical documentation
  • Maintenance & service
  • First aid

Marketing & design

  • Corporate identity / design
  • Marketing & market analysis
  • Graphics & print (Adobe)
  • Content & research
  • Photography & panoramas
  • Social media content
  • Website copy & SEO
  • Email templates & newsletters
  • Meta Ads (basics)

Consulting & management

  • Innovation management
  • Requirements analysis & consulting
  • Migration & modernisation
  • Mentoring & onboarding
  • Project delivery
  • Coordinating teams & suppliers
  • Regulated environments & documentation
  • Agile methods (Scrum, Kanban)

Web & frontend

  • PHP
  • TypeScript / JavaScript
  • Angular / React
  • WordPress / CMS
  • HTML5 · CSS3 · SCSS · Bootstrap
  • Three.js · CesiumJS

Databases

  • PostgreSQL
  • MariaDB / MySQL
  • SQL
  • Functions & triggers
  • Query & architecture optimisation
  • Migration, import & export
  • Liquibase & Envers
  • Setup, administration & backup
  • Monitoring & plant data
  • Data preparation (Python, Excel)
  • Cleansing & analysis (cron jobs)
  • Workbench · pgAdmin · phpMyAdmin
  • JetBrains tools & CLI

DevOps & infrastructure

  • Linux / Server
  • Docker
  • Git / GitLab / GitHub
  • CI/CD (Jenkins)
  • Remote maintenance & VPN
  • Web servers, caching & backups
  • IT security
  • Firewall (basics)
  • Networking & patch panels
  • Switch · Router · Repeater
  • Wi-Fi & Bluetooth

Proof

Technical proof

Skill + concrete evidence

Java

Extension & restructuring of the Java backend of rockets.investments (Hibernate, JSP)

Applied at: Weiterbildung · ROCKETS · AXIS · KNAPP

C++

Software for flight simulators up to Level D and avionics interfaces at AXIS

Applied at: Weiterbildung · AXIS · NexusS7 – Digital Twin (2014) · GitHub-Portfolio

Python

Tools & services (FastAPI), AI pipelines and automation; Python tools at AXIS and ROCKETS

Applied at: StAF · Weiterbildung · ROCKETS · AXIS · AIROAR

TypeScript / JavaScript

Frontends at ROCKETS (Angular) and AXIS (React); websites and CMS projects at StAF and WORLDGRAFX

Applied at: StAF · ROCKETS · AXIS · WORLDGRAFX

Linux / servers

IT infrastructure with Ansible at AXIS; web server upgrade and hardening at StAF; my own infrastructure with Docker, FastAPI services, firewall, switch and router

Applied at: StAF · Weiterbildung · AXIS · WORLDGRAFX

Monitoring & plant data

Technical monitoring and control system for flight simulators (AXIS); logging, error notifications and dashboards (ROCKETS)

Applied at: ROCKETS · AXIS

PLC / Siemens S5–S7

S7 programming at KNAPP; tools for automated S7 program generation; S7-300 program for semi-automatic docking with a dead-man switch at AVL

Applied at: AVL · KNAPP · NexusS7 – Digital Twin (2014) · NexusS7 – SPS-Training

Commissioning

One of the first commissioning engineers of the KNAPP OSR Shuttle system; commissioning worldwide for KNAPP, AVL and AXIS, many countries several times – from the very first year, often independently on site; assignments in 15 countries in total

Applied at: AXIS · AVL · KNAPP

Fault analysis & troubleshooting

Fault support for special-purpose machines (KNAPP), fault analysis at AXIS, across teams at ROCKETS

Applied at: ROCKETS · AXIS · AVL · KNAPP

Remote maintenance & VPN

Remote diagnosis of customer systems via VPN at KNAPP – also at weekends over the mobile network – and at AXIS; VPN access to the company network during AVL assignments abroad

Applied at: AXIS · AVL · KNAPP

Microcontrollers / embedded

Avionics/microcontroller integration at AXIS; projects with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano

Applied at: Weiterbildung · AXIS · AIROAR · Zentimetergenaues GNSS mit RTK · NTRIP-Server (ESP8266)

Electrics 12/24 V & 230 V

12/24 V control technology and 230 V system components during commissioning; electrical, network and audio cabling in my own house

Applied at: KNAPP · RLC – Richi’s Logic Controller · Eigenheim-Installation

Customer support

2nd-level support as a technician and technical customer hotline at KNAPP, service assignments on existing systems; customer care and support at WORLDGRAFX; IT support at ROCKETS

Applied at: ROCKETS · AXIS · WORLDGRAFX · KNAPP

Digital twin / simulation

2014: digital twin of a house in Unity 3D, controlled by my own PLC simulation NexusS7; flight simulators at AXIS

Applied at: AXIS · NexusS7

Unreal Engine

Reconstruction of the Wildon residential tower (UE5) and short film “A Tower Without a Name”

Applied at: StAF · Flavia Solva 3D · Free the Tree · Deep Shangri-La

3D modelling (LightWave)

Modelling since the mid-1990s; Wildon tower reconstruction in LightWave 3D

Applied at: StAF · WORLDGRAFX · Flavia Solva 3D · LiDAR Tank · Free the Tree

Career

Professional experience

Positions in detail

  1. 04.2026 – 09.2026

    Technical staff member: web development & 3D visualisation

    StAF m.b.H. – Projekt Kulturpark Hengist

    Employment reference available

    • Migration and redesign of hengist-archaeologie.at from Joomla to WordPress – more than 500 pages, data conversion with my own Python and shell scripts
    • New information architecture: search-engine-friendly URL structure, custom fields for site pages, modular find-spot map as navigation, archaeological timeline
    • Quality assurance and operations: link-checking script across 500+ pages, caching and WebP, web server upgrade, website hardening and backup strategy
    Show moreShow less
    • Content restructuring and new pages, search engine optimisation (SEO), image galleries and panoramas; setting up and embedding a new YouTube channel
    • Optimised archaeological 3D finds in Blender (quality levels for desktop/mobile, Draco compression) and panoramas of the Schlossberg ruins – shown on the web with the self-developed Three.js plugin WFX3D
    • Reconstruction of the residential tower on Wildon’s Schlossberg around 1431: literature and on-site research, LiDAR terrain data in QGIS, modelling in LightWave and Blender, implementation in Unreal Engine 5 – in coordination with archaeologists
    • Reconstructed the interiors from the storage level to the defensive level based on specialist literature (incl. Piper, Krahe, Murgg); design document with renderings; light and sky for 6:30 a.m. in Wildon in 1431
    • Short film “A Tower Without a Name” with Unreal Engine, After Effects, Premiere and AI tools (incl. AI voice-over); AI-assisted icon generation with Adobe Firefly
    • Set up a test environment, configured and customised WordPress based on an existing template; restructured file storage (images, PDFs) and converted it to WebP
    • Special layouts, reusable components and menu structures; design optimisation with a focus on smartphones and tablets; SVG icons with Inkscape
    • Optimised the global search, cleaned up legacy data, configured the web server
    • Archiving of the old website with my own scraping script incl. screenshots of every page, version control with Git, ongoing technical documentation

    Tools: WordPress, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, Python, Git, Unreal Engine, LightWave 3D, Blender, QGIS, Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, GIMP, Inkscape, Linux, Shell, FTP, PhpStorm, PyCharm, WebStorm, Windows, LibreOffice, Teleport, Fab, Adobe Firefly, Claude, Perplexity

  2. 01.2025 – 03.2026

    Career reorientation & AI specialisation

    Technical further education

    • Deepening my knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning – local models with Ollama, TTS/STT, NVIDIA Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi
    • Python courses preparing for the PCEP and PCAP certifications (Udemy, 04/2025)
    • Expanding my public GitHub portfolio with selected high-tech, professional and creative projects
    Show moreShow less
    • Hands-on with my own infrastructure: Linux, Docker, FastAPI services, firewall, switch, router
    • First-aid refresher (8 h, Austrian Red Cross, 11/2025)

    Tools: C++, C#, Java, Python, PHP, SQL, TypeScript, Docker, FastAPI, Ollama, TTS, STT, NVIDIA Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi, Unreal Engine, LightWave 3D, Blender, QGIS, Linux, Git, GitLab, GitHub, phpMyAdmin, pgAdmin, Sockets, Firewall, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, ChatGPT, Claude, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, Audition, LWCAD

  3. 03.2020 – 12.2024
    ROCKETS

    Senior Full Stack Developer

    ROCKETS Investments GmbH

    Employment reference available

    • Extension and restructuring of the Java backend (Hibernate, JSP) of the rockets.investments portal – data migrations, architectural improvements, refactoring, performance gains
    • Platform reliability and security: migration and consolidation of platforms, introduction of logging, error notifications and security standards
    • Point of contact and mentor for team members; cross-team support with fault analysis, onboarding of colleagues
    Show moreShow less
    • Prepared and tested a recommendation system based on Google Word2Vec with a German language model in Java (not activated)
    • Angular frontend: responsive designs, Angular components, dashboards, error pages, WebSockets, cookie banner (Usercentrics), event tracking and feedback systems
    • Development and integration of responsive email templates and notifications via the SendGrid API incl. webhooks, along with monitoring and synchronisation solutions
    • Finance and accounting: interfaces, interest calculations and financial exports; export and formatting functions (PDF, CSV, XLSX)
    • Self-organised, simplified agile workflow with GitLab Issues: epics, stories, tasks as checklists; developing and optimising task systems
    • Automated deletion of user data across database and file server, with an auditable process and notification of the legal department and the user
    • Optimised and migrated file server structures; ensuring quality and the further development of the department
    • Monitoring and maintenance of internal systems (Jenkins, GitLab), Python helper scripts, IT support incl. security and data protection questions and automated IT processes

    Tools: Java, Hibernate, JSP, SQL, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Angular, Jenkins, GitLab, Docker, SendGrid, MariaDB, ECharts, WebSocket, Tomcat, XSL, FOP, SFTP, Usercentrics, Lemonway, IntelliJ, WebStorm, MySQL Workbench, Envers, Google Charts, Word2Vec, HTML5, CSS3, WebP, GitLab Issues

  4. 04.2014 – 02.2020
    AXIS

    Software Developer (Full Stack)

    AXIS Flight Training Systems GmbH

    Employment reference available Assignments in 6 countries

    • Austria
    • France
    • Italy
    • India
    • Myanmar
    • USA
    • Design and development of software for civil flight simulators up to Full Flight Simulator Level D (EASA/FAA)
    • Simulations and interfaces of original avionics based on manufacturer specifications
    • Creating and documenting application programs and system software; defining data structures and writing programs and program modules
    Show moreShow less
    • Adapting and optimising existing software to company and customer requirements; problem solving within the development team and with external experts
    • Working in Scrum and Kanban; contributing to system integration
    • Remote diagnosis at customer sites via VPN; used CesiumJS to make the simulator’s current flight observable remotely, e.g. for fault analysis; smaller changes and pages of the Instructor Station (Java)
    • Contributions to the technical monitoring and control system (C++)
    • In-house server setup and IT infrastructure with Ansible incl. operating system updates, virtual test environments with Docker, fault analysis and resolution
    • Commissioning at customer sites abroad as far as India and Myanmar; extensive training and consulting for technicians and users on site
    • Technical meeting at Thales in France to clarify the original avionics in use – representing the software department
    • Design and implementation of databases and user interfaces; manuals, installation guides and training material

    Tools: C++, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Docker, Ansible, Boost, POCO, Qt, Linux, Git, GitLab, Jenkins, Cesium, CAN, GNSS, real avionics, microcontrollers, CMake, Bash, Design Patterns, ECharts, HTML5, CSS, Scrum, Kanban

  5. 11.2012 – 12.2013
    AVL

    System Designer PLC

    AVL List GmbH (über epunkt GmbH)

    Employment reference available Assignments in 5 countries

    • Austria
    • Germany
    • Hungary
    • China
    • USA
    • Commissioning of PLC hardware and software as well as safety systems (fail-safe CPU) on test benches in Changchun, Shanghai, Tennessee and Győr
    • Hardware check of the I/O system, start-up of the PLC system, commissioning of the actuator and sensor interfaces; changes and adaptations to the PLC software
    • Adjustment of actuators, sensors and limit switches (e.g. docking system) as well as external systems such as hydraulics and compressed air
    Show moreShow less
    • Development of the software for a dock system incl. visualisation and manual (hardware by Star Engineering, Germany): S7-300 program for semi-automatic docking with a dead-man switch
    • Coordination with suppliers on site, training of technicians, connection to the company network via VPN; commissioning reports with fault logs and lessons learned
    • Integration of the corporate design into the control panel

    Tools: SCL, AWL, KOP, FUP, S7-300, WinCC, zenon, Profinet, Safety, MS Office

  6. 2007 – 2012
    WORLDGRAFX

    Software Developer, Marketer, Designer

    WORLDGRAFX – Reinisch KG

    Employment reference available Assignments in 2 countries

    • Austria
    • Croatia
    • Market entry concept, development of the corporate identity, contribution to the corporate design, overall management of advertising and marketing
    • Market monitoring, analysis and trend research; customer care and support
    • Content for social media and client projects, e.g. a campaign built from video footage with editing, text and graphics; 3D animation; Facebook posts and small Meta campaigns
    Show moreShow less
    • Web design, web programming and server maintenance; graphics, 3D, animation, video and prepress
    • Development of innovative solutions for 3D rendering in the browser
    • Responsible for IT: setting up network, router, switch and firewall, server maintenance

    Tools: C++, C#, PHP, JavaScript, SQL, Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, InDesign, Illustrator, LightWave 3D, Octane, UDK, Unreal Engine, Unity 3D, Blender, WordPress, Joomla, Contao, ActionScript, Flex, Flash, HTML, CSS, Audition, Audacity, Website Baker, Poser, Vue, DMX, HMD, MS Office

  7. 08.2001 – 12.2007
    KNAPP

    PLC Commissioning Engineer

    KNAPP Logistik Automation GmbH

    Employment reference available Assignments in 10 countries

    • Austria
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Spain
    • Slovenia
    • Greece
    • United Kingdom
    • USA
    • Deployed worldwide from my very first year: commissioning in 10 countries, many of them several times – partly independently and alone on site, partly responsible for a small team
    • One of the first commissioning engineers of the OSR Shuttle system – today a flagship of KNAPP – and afterwards mainly working on OSR systems: lifts and shuttle vehicles that travel along rack levels and store and retrieve totes or trays on both sides
    • Example France: OSR commissioning in Orléans (several times) and the Paris area, plus a service assignment in Paris
    Show moreShow less
    • PLC programs for system control and visualisation; commissioning of the system control on site
    • Testing of control cabinets and controls in the electrical workshop, new development of external circuits, supervising electricians during installation
    • Fault support for special-purpose machines, technical customer hotline with remote diagnosis via VPN – also at weekends over the mobile network – and service assignments on existing systems
    • Commissioning of OSR lifts, shuttles and system components with 12/24 V control technology and 230 V components
    • Extensive training of customers and technicians in German and English; creating and extending customer documentation
    • Development of several tools for automated S7 program generation
    • Small Java application (NetBeans) with an interface to the OSR PLC for visualisation – for internal testing

    Tools: SCL, AWL, KOP, FUP, S5, S7-200 > 417, WinCC, Profibus, Profinet, Interbus, RS232, Java, EPLAN, Safety, Visual Basic, VBA, NetBeans, Windows, Linux, HTML, CSS, MS Office

Early adopter

Curiosity with a history

  1. 3D modelling
    since ~1995

    3D modelling

    “Worlds from the computer”, trueSpace, POV-Ray on the console

  2. Virtual reality
    since DK1

    Virtual reality

    Oculus Rift DK1 and DK2

  3. 3D printing
    self-built

    3D printing

    Built a Prusa i3 myself; watertight models for printing and laser cutting

  4. Digital twin
    since 2014

    Digital twin

    House in Unity 3D, controlled by my own PLC simulation

  5. AI & local LLMs
    since 2023

    AI & local LLMs

    Local models, RAG, fine-tuning, generative image, video and music AI

Education & training

Education & training

  1. 1996 – today · Books, web, Udemy, magazines, videos

    Self-taught in technology, development, AI, 3D and much more

  2. 2010 – 2012 · Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG)

    Certified innovation manager

    Modules: innovation strategy, TRIZ, bionics & creativity techniques, lateral thinking methods, managing innovation projects

  3. 09.2007 – 04.2009 · WIFI Styria, Fachakademie

    Certified business specialist (Dipl. Fachwirt) in marketing & management – with excellent success

    Including recognition as trainer course (vocational pedagogy, leadership, communication) and replacing the entrepreneur examination

  4. 2001 – 2002 · Austrian Armed Forces, JGB 17

    Driver of the battalion commander

  5. 1996 – 2001 · HTBLA Kaindorf (higher technical college)

    Mechanical engineering and automation technology (matura and diploma examination)

    Project team “AS-i bus” with presentation at the open day · professional title “Ingenieur” awarded by the Austrian Federal Ministry (BMWA)

Courses & certificates

Courses & certificates

  • 11/2025 First-aid refresher course (§ 40 Austrian Workplace Ordinance)Austrian Red Cross 8 h
  • 04/2025 Python PCAP – preparation for Certified Associate in Python ProgrammingUdemy 5,5 h
  • 04/2025 Python PCEP – preparation for Certified Entry-Level Python ProgrammerUdemy 4,5 h
  • 01/2024 The Complete GANs Bootcamp: Theory and ApplicationsUdemy 3 h
  • 12/2023 Complete Cyber Security Course, Vol. 4 – End Point ProtectionStationX (Nathan House) 16,5 h
  • 08/2023 Web scraping – collecting data automaticallyUdemy 1,5 h
  • 08/2022 Complete Cyber Security Course, Vol. 2 – Network SecurityStationX (Nathan House) 12,5 h
  • 01/2021 Complete Cyber Security Course, Vol. 1 – Hackers ExposedStationX (Nathan House) 12 h

Voices

Voices from employment references

„an extremely reliable colleague with an open manner“

AXIS Flight Training Systems, employment reference

„distinguished himself by carrying out his tasks independently and conscientiously“

AXIS Flight Training Systems, employment reference

„Particularly appreciated … for his professional expertise and his collegial attitude“

ROCKETS Investments, employment reference

„His conduct towards superiors, customers and colleagues was impeccable at all times“

epunkt / assignment at AVL List, employment reference

„Point of contact and mentor for team members on technical topics“

ROCKETS Investments, employment reference

What matters to me

I thrive best in an environment of mutual respect, an open culture around mistakes and genuine team spirit – where good ideas count, not who had them. That’s where I give it my all.

  • Appreciative interaction
  • Open culture around mistakes
  • Trust & room for ideas

Up for a conversation?

Whether it’s a project, a position or simply a chat about technology – I’m looking forward to your message.

Get in touch