Fractional Data Architect for startups and scaleups.
I help growing companies build healthy data teams and scalable platforms. Senior architecture leadership without the full-time hire.
I care about healthy teams, scalable systems, and data work that actually pays for itself.
With a background in software engineering and over a decade in data engineering and architecture, I sit at the intersection of architecture, hands‑on delivery, and organizational dynamics. That means I don’t just design pretty diagrams – I work with your teams to make the system real, reliable, and economically sensible.
My sweet spot is the moment where your current data setup “kind of works” but:
- Pipelines keep breaking at the worst possible time
- Cloud costs are rising faster than revenue
- Stakeholders don’t fully trust the numbers
- Everyone is busy, but nothing gets structurally better
That’s where senior fractional data leadership beats another mid‑level hire.
What Changes When We Work Together
Your platform enables growth instead of blocking it Architecture that scales with your business, not against it.
Teams ship faster with fewer fires Robust pipelines, clear ownership, and incident-proof ways of working.
Cloud costs come under control Making spend visible and designing systems that don’t waste money.
Data, product, and ops actually align Clear priorities, less friction, fewer “who owns this?” debates.
Technical debt stops compounding A path from constant maintenance to sustainable delivery.
Clients & Experience
Over the last decade, I’ve worked with organizations such as Cerba Research, Port of Antwerp‑Bruges, Easyfairs, Big Industries (for brands like Bridgestone and Nike), and Foodpairing on data platforms and engineering initiatives.
This has included:
- Designing and delivering GxP-compliant data platforms in regulated environments
- Migrating 150+ SQL Server artifacts to modern cloud platforms
- Building greenfield data platforms from scratch while leading teams of 6+ engineers
- Reducing cloud costs by 30-40% through architecture optimization
- Cutting pipeline incident rates by implementing proper testing and observability
Across these contexts, the same themes show up: growing technical complexity, unclear ownership, and architectures that lag behind the business. The work focuses on making these dynamics visible and turning them into a clear path toward a leaner, more aligned, and scalable data platform.
Who I Work With
I typically work fractionally with 2–4 clients at a time:
- startups, scaleups, and SMEs (10–200 people)
- Tech‑led companies (SaaS, fintech, B2B platforms, data‑heavy products)
You might recognize:
- “We’ve outgrown our first data stack and it’s starting to hurt.”
- “We’re spending too much on cloud and don’t know why.”
- “We need senior data leadership, but not a full‑time Head of Data yet.”
How Engagements Typically Start
1. Discovery call (30 min) We talk about what’s happening in your data org. No pitch - just understanding whether there’s a fit.
2. Scoping session If it makes sense to continue, I dig deeper into your current architecture, team setup, and priorities. This shapes the engagement.
3. Start small Most engagements begin with a focused piece of work - a platform review, architecture sprint, or specific problem to solve. This builds context before committing to ongoing work.
4. Evolve as needed Some clients need a few weeks of intensive help. Others work with me fractionally for months or years. The engagement flexes based on what you actually need.
Location & Availability
Based in Belgium (Hamme). Available for:
- Belgium: Hybrid (on-site + remote)
- Europe: Remote, with occasional travel
- Global: Remote
Open to fractional engagements (typically 1–3 days per week).
Let’s Talk
Not sure if you need architecture help? Book a 30-minute call to discuss your situation. No pitch, just an honest conversation about whether I can help.