Johan Hostens — Freelance Azure Data Engineer
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, Antwerp, Belgium
Email: johan.hostens@konverga.be
Website: www.konverga.be |
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johanhostens |
GitHub: github.com/konverga
Last update: 2026-08-20
Professional Summary
Freelance Azure Data Engineer with 6+ years of experience building stable, scalable and well-governed data solutions on Azure, Databricks and Microsoft Fabric. Turns complex data from multiple source systems into reliable, actionable insight through end-to-end data pipelines, dimensional models and Power BI reporting. Postgraduate in Data & Analytics and certified on Databricks, dbt and Azure.
Combines hands-on data engineering with an architectural and advisory role, running data assessments from kick-off through business and technical workshops to a final roadmap. Experience across pharmaceutical, food, automotive, retail, manufacturing and public-sector clients. Collaborative team player with a strong focus on scripting, automation and pragmatic, maintainable solutions.
My professional journey began in the pharmaceutical industry, preparing reports that mapped the operation of a department so it could be adjusted where needed. The challenge of gathering and analysing data from multiple sources sparked my interest in data engineering and led me to this career path.
Highlights
Career: Freelance Azure Data Engineer, Konverga (present) — Data & AI Engineer, Cloubis (2026 – present) — Data Engineer & BI Consultant, Kohera (2020 – 2026) — Consultant, Advipro (2017 – 2020)
Industries: Pharmaceutical, food and beverage, automotive and mobility, retail, manufacturing, government and social partners
Core technologies: Microsoft Azure, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, dbt, Apache Spark, PySpark, Python, SQL, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, Power BI, PowerShell, Git, GitHub, Azure DevOps
Education: MSc Industrial Engineering, KU Leuven — Postgraduate in Data & Analytics, UC Leuven-Limburg (both magna cum laude)
Languages: Dutch (native), English (fluent, C1), French (intermediate, B1)
Core Skills
Cloud & Data Platforms: Microsoft Azure, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL Database, Azure Functions, Azure Container Instances, Azure Batch, Azure Logic Apps, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, dbt Cloud, SQL Server
Programming & Query Languages: Python (Pandas, Polars), PySpark, SQL, T-SQL, DAX, PowerShell, Bash
Data Engineering: ETL and ELT design, Apache Spark, Delta Lake, lakehouse and medallion architecture, data pipeline development, system integration, incremental loading, data migration, data quality, data governance, access control, performance tuning, API analysis and testing with Postman
Data Modelling & BI: Dimensional modelling, Kimball methodology, star schema, data warehouse design, semantic models, Power BI (Desktop and Service), DAX optimisation, SSIS, SSAS, SSRS
DevOps & Infrastructure: Azure DevOps, GitHub, Git, CI/CD pipelines, code review, testing, documentation
Source Systems: SAP HANA, SuccessFactors, Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, EasyRedmine, Informatica PowerCenter, REST APIs, flat files
Ways of Working: Agile/Scrum, client-facing consulting, data assessments, business and technical workshops, roadmap definition, solution architecture, AI-assisted development
Professional Experience
Data & AI Engineer — Cloubis (Cronos Group), Belgium
Belgian data consultancy that helps organisations get more value from their data through assessments, modern data platforms and pragmatic architecture. Project-mode delivery and advisory for clients including Fernandes Group (Suriname), Global Furniture Group (US), Boortmalt (BE), BauWatch (BE), Merco Machines (BE) and FANUC (Luxembourg).
- Run data assessments end to end — kick-off meeting, business workshops and technical workshops, through to definition and presentation of the roadmap — with a strong focus on technical workshops and system integration.
- Optimise and modernise data platforms across Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Azure Data Factory and SQL Server.
- Act as advisor and architect, helping organisations choose pragmatic, maintainable solutions that fit their team and their data.
- Apply AI to accelerate business processes, code documentation, code generation and testing.
Technologies: Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, AI-assisted development.
Data Engineer & BI Consultant — Kohera (Cronos Group), Belgium
Belgian IT consultancy focused on data solutions, business intelligence and database management on Microsoft technology. Delivered long-term client assignments alongside parallel project-mode and support engagements.
Data Engineer, Data Platform Team — D'Ieteren (client assignment via Kohera)
Importer and distributor of Volkswagen Group brands in Belgium, covering vehicle sales, parts, accessories and after-sales services, with broader activities across the mobility ecosystem.
- Designed, implemented and maintained enterprise-grade data pipelines, ensuring reliable ingestion, transformation and storage across the organisation's data platform.
- Delivered new system integrations and optimised and stabilised existing data flows, with a strong focus on data quality, security, access control, performance and timely delivery.
- Supported the migration to a modern data platform and co-developed the company's first Microsoft Fabric proof of concept for HR reporting.
- Collaborated closely with statisticians, data scientists and BI/reporting teams, enabling seamless integration with downstream applications.
Technologies: Azure, Databricks, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, dbt Cloud, Azure DevOps, Git, Python, PySpark, Postman, PowerShell.
Power BI Consultant & Data Engineer — Puratos (client assignment via Kohera)
Global Belgian family-owned company that develops, produces and distributes ingredients for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate industries.
- Designed and delivered an international sales dashboard used by managers and sales teams worldwide to monitor individual and global KPIs, serving as a core input for bonus calculations.
- Integrated data from multiple enterprise systems, including Odoo, EasyRedmine and SuccessFactors.
- Supported the organisation's cloud transition by provisioning and configuring early Azure resources.
Technologies: Azure, Power BI, Python, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, SAP HANA.
Data Engineer & BI Consultant — project mode and support — multiple clients (client assignment via Kohera)
Managed multiple client projects in parallel, delivering new initiatives, resolving platform issues and performing data migrations alongside long-term assignments. Clients included Cronos Group, Boortmalt, Stad Kortrijk, VOKA, House of HR, VAB, D'Ieteren, Talentbay, Shurgard and Puratos.
- Developed and improved Power BI reports for accounting, CRM and ESG data.
- Built star-schema data warehouse models following Kimball principles.
- Ingested diverse data sources ranging from SQL tables (for example telephony reporting) to custom APIs (for example timesheet registrations).
- Played an active role in architectural and technical decisions, including designing an Azure Synapse Analytics architecture for CRM and Business Central reporting that balanced user requirements, budget and timelines.
- Contributed to migrations from Informatica PowerCenter to dbt Cloud and Databricks.
- Optimised existing workflows and frequently updated or created Azure Data Factory pipelines and SQL Server code.
Technologies: Azure, Azure Functions, Azure Container Instances, Azure Batch, Azure Logic Apps, Databricks, Azure Data Factory, SQL Server, Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, dbt Cloud, Azure DevOps, Git, Python (Polars, Pandas), PySpark, Postman, PowerShell, SSIS, SSAS, SSRS; some exposure to Apache Airflow.
Consultant — Advipro, Belgium
Specialised consultancy and engineering firm providing technical support, advice and project management to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical and high-tech sectors.
Project Engineer — Pfizer (client assignment via Advipro)
- Responsible for data analysis and automation, quality and change management, data integrity, and the creation and testing of new measurement methods.
Qualification Engineer & Junior Product Steward — Alcon, a Novartis company (client assignment via Advipro)
- Contributed to the Equipment Engineering and Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T) teams by developing procedures, executing equipment and shipping validations, and managing quality processes such as change control, deviations and CAPA (corrective and preventive actions).
Test & Qualification Engineer — MSD (client assignment via Advipro)
- Performed cleanroom environmental monitoring by conducting measurements, processing data and reporting results for microbial surface and air samples, and for airborne particle counts.
Education
Postgraduate — Data & Analytics
Specialisation: Analytics. Graduated magna cum laude (77.25%).
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering — Biochemistry
Graduated magna cum laude (81.50%).
Professional Bachelor — Pharmaceutical and Biological Laboratory Technology
Graduated magna cum laude (82.92%).
Certifications
- dbt Certified Developer — February 2025
- Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional — January 2024
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) — February 2023
- Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900) — September 2021
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) — May 2021
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) — January 2021
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) — January 2021
- Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate (DA-100, succeeded by PL-300) — July 2020
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) — May 2020
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) — May 2020
Microsoft Exams Passed
- Developing SQL Databases (70-762) — January 2021
- Introduction to Programming Using Python (98-381) — September 2020
- Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) — August 2020
- Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse (70-767) — June 2020
- Querying Data with Transact-SQL (70-761) — June 2020
Languages
- Dutch — Native
- English — Fluent (C1)
- French — Intermediate (B1)
Side Projects
KayakFit — open-source Python application
Python-based companion application for the KayakFirst Bull kayak ergometer, connecting over Bluetooth Low Energy to capture and visualise training telemetry. Published at kayakfit.konverga.be.
Sterke Stapjes — website design and build
Designed and built the website for Sterke Stapjes, a paediatric physiotherapy practice. Published at www.sterkestapjes.be.
Speaking and Publications
Internships and Theses
Master's Thesis — Biocartis, Mechelen, Belgium
"Real-time PCR to the next level — addressing the need for speed and multiplexing." Supervisor: Dr. David Nauwelaers.
Biocartis is a molecular diagnostics company focused on oncology, providing rapid, automated testing solutions through the Idylla platform.
Bachelor's Thesis — KU Leuven, Laboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Belgium
Scorpion venom as a source of new ligands for voltage-dependent ion channels. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jan Tytgat.
The laboratory combines forensic toxicology services with drug discovery research on venom-derived peptides for therapeutic development.
Honours and Awards
- KVCV Prize for the Most Meritorious Student — Royal Flemish Chemical Society, KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, 2017.
- Nominated for the Willy Asselman Award — KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, 2017, an annual prize honouring outstanding academic performance and an excellent master's thesis.
Student Work
Alfaflex — Aviapartner — De Rekker (Provincie Antwerpen) — Zoo Planckendael.