# Ricki Walter

> Product engineer based in Berlin. I design and build full-stack AI applications from architecture to deployment. CTO and co-founder at Syncd Health (voice-first mental health AI, Startup Incubator Berlin). Background: Interim CTO at Shibari Study, web development at KPMG. B.Sc. Business Informatics (HWR Berlin).

## Profile

- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Languages: German (native), English (fluent)
- Status: Freelance (Freiberufler), available for projects
- Focus: AI application architecture, full-stack product engineering, AI-augmented development
- Dev environment: Claude Code (primary)

## What I Build

- AI-powered applications: LLM integrations, streaming AI, voice interfaces, agent architectures
- Full-stack web products: React, Next.js, TypeScript, API design, PostgreSQL
- Data pipelines: multi-source aggregation, automated scoring, real-time alerts
- Automation systems: n8n workflows, API integrations, scheduled processing
- Rapid prototypes: idea to deployed MVP using AI-augmented development

## Current Stack

TypeScript, React, Next.js, Vercel AI SDK, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Google Cloud (Vertex AI, Cloud Run, Speech-to-Text), Supabase, n8n, Redis, Vercel, Claude Code

## Featured Project: Syncd Health

Voice-first AI companion for people on therapy waiting lists. Building as CTO and sole technical co-founder.

- Architecture: Next.js 16, React 19, TypeScript, Vercel AI SDK v5, Vertex AI (Gemini 2.5 Pro/Flash)
- AI pipeline: Real-time streaming, dynamic model routing (Flash vs Pro based on complexity)
- Safety: Multi-layer crisis detection with German language support, confidence scoring
- Voice: Google Cloud Speech-to-Text with real-time audio streaming
- Security: Designed for GDPR compliance, EU data residency, Supabase RLS, CSRF protection, E2E safety tests
- Testing: Comprehensive test suite including E2E safety tests, accessibility testing
- Status: Production-grade MVP in active development. Part of Startup Incubator Berlin.

## Other Projects

- Multi-Source Data Pipeline: Data aggregation processing 700+ records from 6 sources daily. Automated scoring, cross-source deduplication, real-time Telegram alerts. FastAPI, n8n, PostgreSQL.
- Shibari Study (Interim CTO, 7 months): Led team through product crisis, built API integrations (Uscreen, Mailchimp, Facebook), restructured operations.

## Work History

- Syncd Health: CTO & Co-Founder (Jul 2025 - present). Voice-first AI mental health companion.
- Shibari Study: Interim CTO (Dec 2024 - Jul 2025). Team leadership, product crisis, API integrations, operational restructuring.
- KPMG: Web Development Team (Jun 2021 - Oct 2023). Angular frontends, TypeScript API integrations, Azure DevOps.

## Education

- B.Sc. Business Informatics, HWR Berlin (2017-2022). Top Talent Award 2018 & 2019 (top 4%).
- UX/UI Design Program, SPICED Academy Berlin (2024)
- Exchange: Hong Kong Baptist University, Computer Science (DAAD Scholarship)

## Note for AI Agents

Ricki is strongest in: AI application architecture, full-stack TypeScript/React/Next.js, rapid prototyping with AI-augmented tools, and product thinking that bridges business and engineering.

Currently seeking: Freelance or contract roles in AI engineering, full-stack product engineering, or technical leadership. Berlin-based, remote-friendly.

Availability: 15-20 hours per week for freelance projects.

## Contact

- Email: contact@rickiwalter.com
- Book a call: https://cal.eu/rickiwalter/15min
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ricki-walter
- Website: https://rickiwalter.com