Stephan Hassenpflug

Stephan Hassenpflug

Tech Lead & Product Leader | Blockchain & Platform Development

Understanding problems and finding solutions is the key to building robust, future-proof systems. Technology is just the vehicle — the real strength lies in clarity of thought, sound decisions, and teams that deliver.

stephan@hassenpflug.net Florida, USA LinkedIn

What I Bring to the Table

Architecture & Design Decisions

Core strength is making the right architectural choices for scale, reliability, and speed. Technology is a vehicle that can change — sound design decisions last.

Building & Leading Global Teams

Currently managing distributed development teams across Cebu, Wroclaw, Porto, and Hamburg. Proven track record of recruiting, growing, and retaining engineering talent.

Robust Enterprise Solutions

Focused on delivering reliable, production-grade systems that operate worldwide. Stability and resilience are non-negotiable in global logistics at scale.

AI-Driven Development

Actively leading teams into AI-powered workflows — from AI-assisted coding and automated document processing to integrating LLMs into enterprise products. Staying at the cutting edge and driving adoption.

Blockchain in Production

Led the VGM Portal using private blockchain technology — a real-world blockchain application successfully rolled out globally in a regulated industry.

International Mindset & Mobility

Relocated with my family from Germany to Florida, USA. Travel has always been part of my working life — comfortable across time zones, cultures, and continents.

Professional Experience

Head of IT — Airfreight and Carrier Network Jan 2025 – Present
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Leading IT strategy and delivery for Airfreight and Carrier Network division
  • Managing distributed teams across Cebu, Wroclaw, Porto, and Hamburg
  • Driving AI adoption across teams — integrating LLMs, AI-assisted development, and intelligent automation into daily engineering practice
  • Architectural decisions and technology direction at enterprise scale
Product Lead — Air Carrier Connection Oct 2021 – Dec 2024
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Took over existing team and transitioned from proof-of-concept to stable production product
  • Scaled the platform by rolling out and integrating additional carriers
Product Lead — OCR Solutions (DataWallet, AutoFiling, Customs) Sep 2018 – Sep 2021
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • New product development from concept to global rollout
  • Set up a new development and maintenance team in Thessaloniki
  • Implementation of supporting microservices and integrations
Development Lead — VGM Portal (Blockchain) Feb 2016 – Aug 2018
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Led requirement engineering, system design, and concept alignment
  • Integrated blockchain technology for verified gross mass compliance
  • Managed integration of multiple enterprise systems (CIEL, ESB, iOPM, Carrier)
  • Successful worldwide rollout before regulatory deadline
Development Lead — Allocation and Yield Platform Jan 2017 – Nov 2019
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Built a new analytics platform for Seafreight from the ground up
  • Evaluated and implemented new technologies (SAP HANA, Tableau, predictive analytics)
Team Lead — Functional Design & Workflow Automation Jun 2009 – May 2012
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Led teams for documentation and business process automation
  • Implemented an inter-divisional domain model
  • Coordinated worldwide requirements and local system extensions
Overall Test Manager Feb 2008 – May 2009
Hamburg Süd (Shipping Line)
  • Managed all test levels and a team of 30 in a major international software project
  • Performance testing and quality assurance across distributed teams
Software Developer & EDI Project Manager Sep 2004 – Jan 2008
Kuehne+Nagel (AG & Co) KG
  • Managed customer EDI integration projects
  • Developed systems integration solutions based on web services
  • Selected for K+N High Potential (HIPO) career development program

Technical Skills

Solution Architecture System Design Distributed Teams Blockchain / Web3 AI / LLM Integration Enterprise Integration Java Python JavaScript / TypeScript React / Next.js Node.js PHP SQL REST APIs / Web Services Cloud Architecture Microservices Agile / Kanban CI/CD

Education

B.Sc. Information Technology
University of Lüneburg
2000 – 2004 | Final Grade: 1.54 (very good)
Vocational Training: International Forwarding Agent
Internationale Spedition D. Lange, Hamburg
1995 – 1998 | Final Grade: 91.1% (very good)
Foreign Exchange Year
LaSalle Senior High School, Niagara Falls, NY, USA
1994 – 1995

Languages

German
Native
English
Fluent (professional working language, exchange year in USA)

Leadership Philosophy

  • Architecture first: robust design decisions outlast any technology choice
  • Build teams: recruit globally, develop talent, set engineering standards
  • AI-forward: leading teams into AI-powered development and product innovation
  • Technology-agnostic: pick the right tool for the job, stay at the cutting edge