Why EU engineering teams are turning to freelance technical specialists

Across Europe, engineering and technology teams are under pressure to deliver complex projects faster, while keeping headcount controlled.

As a result, freelance and contract specialists are being used more frequently, particularly in highly technical areas where permanent hiring is slow, expensive, or simply not viable for short-term demand.

For EU hiring managers, freelancers are no longer a stop-gap. They’re becoming a planned part of workforce strategy.

Why freelancer demand is increasing in technical teams

Several factors are driving this shift:

• Skills scarcity: Roles such as Software engineers, Controls engineers, Automation engineers and process engineers remain hard to fill permanently. According to the European Commission, over 63% of EU companies report difficulties finding workers with the right skills, particularly in STEM roles.

• Project-based delivery: R&D, product launches, regulatory remediation, and system migrations often have defined timelines. Hiring permanent staff for a 6–12 month spike rarely makes commercial sense.

• Speed to productivity: Freelancers typically arrive with deep domain experience and require minimal onboarding. For many engineering projects, this can cut delivery time significantly.

In practice, businesses are using freelancers to de-risk delivery, not replace permanent teams.

Where freelancers add the most value

From what we see across EU clients, freelancers are most effective when used in clearly defined technical scenarios, such as:

• Short-term R&D projects requiring niche expertise

• Firmware, software, or hardware development to unblock internal teams

• Validation, verification, and regulatory-heavy phases (e.g., medical devices, automotive, aerospace)

• Cloud, DevOps, or cyber security uplift projects

• Legacy system modernisation

In these cases, freelancers provide depth rather than breadth — solving a specific problem quickly, then exiting cleanly.

Cost control and flexibility (without long-term risk)

While freelancer day rates are higher than permanent salaries, the total cost of engagement is often lower when used correctly.

Hiring managers avoid:

• Long-term salary commitments

• Employer social costs (which vary significantly across EU countries)

• Redundancy risk if demand drops

Instead, businesses pay for output and expertise, not long-term capacity. This is particularly attractive in markets facing economic uncertainty or fluctuating funding cycles.

Compliance matters more than ever in the EU

One area that cannot be overlooked is compliance. With IR35-style legislation, worker classification rules, and country-specific employment laws across the EU, incorrect freelancer engagement can carry significant risk.

This is where working with a specialist recruiter adds value. A good recruitment partner will:

• Advise on correct engagement models (freelance, contract, PAYE, umbrella, consultancy)

• Understand local labour regulations

• Ensure contracts align with project scope and duration

• Access pre-vetted technical freelancers with proven delivery experience

Freelancers and permanent teams are not competing

The strongest teams we see use both freelancers and permanent staff together.

Permanent engineers provide continuity, product knowledge, and long-term ownership. Freelancers bring speed, specialist skills, and external perspective. When aligned properly, this hybrid model improves delivery without burning out internal teams.

The increased use of freelancers isn’t a trend driven by convenience — it’s a response to real technical and commercial pressures. For engineering-led businesses, flexible resource is becoming essential to staying competitive.

Used strategically, freelancers allow you to:

• Deliver critical projects faster
• Access skills that are otherwise unavailable
• Maintain cost control during uncertain periods

IntaPeople can help you access the right freelance and contract technical specialists across Europe. We work with EU engineering and technology teams to provide:

• Pre-vetted experts in embedded software, mechanical design, semiconductor, R&D, and Automation and Controls.

• Flexible engagement models tailored to project duration and regulatory requirements

• Strategic advice to combine freelancers and permanent staff for maximum delivery efficiency

If you’re planning upcoming projects or facing skills gaps, IntaPeople can provide the flexible technical resource your team needs — quickly, compliantly, and effectively.