Curriculum Vitae

Nicael Jooste

Nicael Jooste

Digital Water Systems & Platform Engineering
Internal Platforms · Simulation Workflows · Applied AI

Gouda, The Netherlands

Professional Summary

I bridge complex water operations with modern software engineering, combining hydrology, GIS, drinking-water treatment context, operational data, and AI-assisted development to build internal platforms, SDKs, APIs, simulation-oriented workflows, and decision-support tools. My strongest work is translating ambiguous domain knowledge into inspectable software foundations that can survive beyond a pilot. Recent work includes digital-twin platform capabilities for drinking-water treatment and distribution, internal Python SDKs, and PHREEQC/EPANET-oriented simulation workflows.

Selected Systems & Capabilities

Zero-to-One Infrastructure Software

From undefined operational problem to working internal platform: data model, API boundary, validation logic, user workflow, documentation, and rollout plan.

Internal Python SDKs & Data Foundations

Create and maintain internal Python SDKs that standardize access to data systems, wrap APIs, encode reusable domain logic, and give teams a shared interface for analytics, automation, and internal software.

Simulation & Scenario Workflows

Python/API integration patterns for water-domain solvers such as PHREEQC and EPANET, with attention to validation, reproducibility, and decision-support usability.

Governed GenAI Adoption

Early LLM experimentation, a multidisciplinary focus group, practical pilots, management briefings, responsible-use guidance, Copilot adoption work, and AI-assisted engineering patterns shaped around governance and risk.

Technical Skills

Programming & Frameworks

Decision Support & Adoption

Data & AI

Cloud & DevOps

Domain Expertise

Strategy & Leadership

Professional Experience

Staff Data Scientist | Applied AI & Data Platforms

Dunea N.V.
Dunea N.V. logo
  • Initiated and built early digital-twin platform capabilities for drinking-water treatment and distribution, translating telemetry, laboratory measurements, topology, treatment context, operational assumptions, and validation logic into inspectable software workflows
  • Designed live-state, historical replay, scenario-analysis, and reporting workflows around operational telemetry, lab data, treatment context, distribution topology, source metadata, and data-quality flags
  • Create and maintain internal Python SDKs that bridge enterprise data platforms and end-user workflows through standardized data access, API wrapping, reusable domain logic, and automation
  • Build internal applications and services with FastAPI, React/Next.js, TypeScript, SQL, Azure services, cloud functions, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines, using Power BI where an operational reporting surface is the right fit
  • Work on Python-based integration patterns for domain solvers such as PHREEQC and EPANET, connecting scientific models to web-based decision-support and scenario workflows
  • Helped move internal data work toward stronger software practices by making validation, maintainability, code review, typed interfaces, documentation, deployment discipline, production ownership, and SDLC requirements explicit
  • Identified LLMs early as a transformative technology, initiated a multidisciplinary LLM focus group, helped shape practical ChatGPT/Copilot experimentation, and co-founded an internal innovation group

Data Scientist

Crunch Analytics
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  • Developed ETL pipelines, dashboards, and machine-learning models for clients in horticulture and retail
  • Worked directly with clients to understand operational needs, scope projects, and deliver usable analytics solutions
  • Automated data workflows with Python, SQL, and Power BI
  • Took part in proposal writing, workshops, and recruitment efforts alongside a small, agile team

Student Assistant

Delft University of Technology
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  • Supported course development by filming lectures, editing video, and building MOOC content
  • Graded assignments and exams, created promotional materials, and helped organize faculty events
  • Learned from working with dedicated researchers and students in a high-paced academic environment

Education

MSc Water Management

Delft University of Technology · 2016 – 2019

Field Experience

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BSc Civil Engineering

Delft University of Technology · 2011 – 2016

For our thesis, we travelled to Bandung, Indonesia, to improve the water treatment process at PDAM Tirtawening. We discovered that performance issues weren't due to one major fault but many small ones, like broken metering equipment and poor coagulant dosing. By introducing a few simple changes, we reduced turbidity by over 60%. The real fix wasn't expensive equipment, but better understanding and maintenance. Presenting our findings to the plant's director was a proud and eye-opening moment.

Field Experience

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Let's talk

I'm interested in serious conversations about digital water, internal platforms, AI-assisted engineering, and decision-support systems for infrastructure teams.