About Me

I'm a Senior Data Engineer with 5 years of experience in Data Engineering and 13+ years in software development. Highly adaptable and skilled in managing large-scale data projects, with a proven ability to lead the adoption of new technologies. My journey has taken me from building web applications with PHP to architecting modern data infrastructure and creating scalable data solutions.

My Journey

My path to becoming a Data Engineer has been anything but conventional. I'm a true autodidact—someone who has learned through self-directed study and hands-on experience rather than traditional academic paths.

Growing up, I faced significant challenges that affected my formal education. Despite these obstacles, I discovered my passion for technology during my teenage years. While others were following traditional educational routes, I was teaching myself web development by building websites for the games I played. This was during a time when the internet was still in its early stages, and learning meant reading books, experimenting, and figuring things out through trial and error.

My formal education journey included various technical programs—from metal technology to shipbuilding, electrical engineering, and ICT studies. While I didn't complete traditional diplomas, each experience contributed to my technical foundation. What truly shaped my career was the countless hours spent coding, building, and learning independently.

This self-directed learning approach proved invaluable. In 2017, I won my first hackathon with the Competitor Pricing Tool—a project that automated price tracking across multiple competitors and became a full production system. That same year, I was already exploring machine learning with Project CHAPPiE, a service monitoring system using ML to detect anomalies in response times. At a time when machine learning was still relatively new in the industry, I was already applying it to solve real-world problems.

This early work in machine learning and data analysis positioned me ahead of the curve. When I transitioned into data engineering, I brought not just technical skills, but a unique perspective shaped by years of self-learning, problem-solving, and innovation. Today, I leverage this background to build robust data solutions and mentor others, always staying curious and pushing the boundaries of what's possible with data.

Current Role

Senior Data Engineer / Techlead (dbt) | Data Operations

Drukwerkdeal.nl - Deventer | Jan 2024 - Present

Leading data operations with focus on data ingestion (Fivetran or custom Python scripts) into Snowflake data warehouse from various applications/sources. Transforming and cleansing data using dbt, flattening raw source data into base data models provided to all data teams. Streamlining and optimizing complex data flows used by multidisciplinary data teams and analysts, reducing costs, complexity and boosting performance.

Enabling faster development cycles throughout the data transformation landscape. Implementing industry best practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement through mentorship and team development. Currently working on moving to the Data Mesh architecture together with dbt Mesh and AI Streamlit apps connected to our semantic layer.

Tools: AWS, Python, Fivetran, Snowflake, SQL, dbt Core & dbt Cloud, Streamlit, Looker, Keeboo

Professional Experience

Data Engineer | Team PLQ (Production, Logistics & Quality)

Drukwerkdeal.nl - Deventer | Jun 2020 - Dec 2023

Primarily focused on Customer Care related data, pulling in data from various sources such as Genesys CIC, Zendesk, PostNL, Mopinion, Trustpilot, Kiyoh, Closealert and more. Transformed the data using Alteryx first and later with dbt. Worked closely with stakeholders and product owners to create numerous dashboards for all KPIs in Looker.

Designed, developed and deployed the current DTAP street for data engineering teams, using GitLab repositories for code reviews including automated linting and testing of merge requests. Using dbt Core for test/development pipelines and dbt Cloud for development, documentation & Lineage overviews.

Tools: Alteryx, Qlik Sense, Fivetran, AWS S3, Snowflake, dbt Core & dbt Cloud, Looker

Software Engineer | Various Teams

Drukwerkdeal.nl - Deventer | Feb 2012 - May 2020

Worked across multiple teams (Make-it, Buy-it, Ship-it, Manufacturing Quality & Processing, Purchasing, Back) developing and maintaining web applications, APIs, and backend systems. Built robust solutions using PHP, MySQL, Symfony framework, React.js, Docker, and various AWS services (DynamoDB, SNS, SQS).

Tools: PHP, MySQL, Symfony, React.js, Docker, AWS (DynamoDB, SNS, SQS), JavaScript, jQuery

Software Engineer

Riset Automatisering/Software - Velp (Gld) | Apr 2007 - Dec 2012

Enhanced and developed new functionalities for a GPS tracking and route optimization system integrated within the CTIS (Car Technics Information System) platform. The system continuously receives real-time location data from GPS trackers installed on vehicles and other assets, transmitting various types of data including speed, altitude, and operational metrics.

Contributed to the development of CTIS, a comprehensive software solution for monitoring vehicle locations, managing inventory levels, and coordinating logistics. The system was directly linked to warehouse operations, allowing for automated inventory management.

Tools: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS

Technical Skills

Data Engineering & Analytics

  • ETL/ELT pipeline design and implementation (Fivetran, custom Python)
  • Data warehousing (Snowflake) and data transformation (dbt Core & dbt Cloud)
  • Data quality frameworks and automated testing
  • Business Intelligence and visualization (Looker, Qlik Sense, Alteryx)
  • Data Mesh architecture and semantic layers
  • Streamlit applications for AI and data visualization

Programming Languages

  • Python: Data processing, custom ingestion scripts, Streamlit apps, web frameworks
  • PHP: Web development, API design, Symfony framework, Yii framework
  • SQL: Complex queries, optimization, database design, Snowflake SQL
  • JavaScript, React.js, jQuery for frontend development

Cloud & Infrastructure

  • AWS: S3, DynamoDB, SNS, SQS, and various AWS services
  • Containerization: Docker for application deployment
  • Version Control: Git, GitLab with CI/CD pipelines
  • Database Systems: MySQL, Snowflake, DynamoDB

Key Achievements

  • 2017 Hackathon Winner: Developed and won with the Competitor Pricing Tool, which became a full production system
  • Early ML Innovation: Pioneered machine learning for service monitoring with Project CHAPPiE in 2017
  • Designed and implemented DTAP (Development, Test, Acceptance, Production) street for data engineering teams
  • Established automated linting and testing processes for merge requests in GitLab
  • Streamlined complex data flows, reducing costs and complexity while boosting performance
  • Mentored team members through hands-on sessions and one-on-one meetings
  • Maintained comprehensive documentation on tech stack and best practices
  • Led transition to Data Mesh architecture with dbt Mesh