Resume

Nicael Jooste
Digital Water Systems & Platform Engineering
Internal Platforms · Digital Twins · Governed AI
Professional summary
I combine water-domain knowledge with software engineering to build internal platforms, SDKs, APIs, simulation workflows, and decision-support tools for infrastructure teams. Several are now in daily use across teams. Recent work spans digital-twin concepts for drinking-water treatment and distribution, internal Python SDKs adopted across a growing data team, governed adoption of generative AI, and PHREEQC/EPANET-oriented simulation workflows. I also coach engineers and help data teams turn prototypes into software they can support.
Selected systems & capabilities
Internal platforms
From operational problem to supportable internal capability: data model, API, validation, user workflow, documentation, deployment path, and handoff to managed platforms.
Internal Python SDKs & data foundations
Python SDKs that standardize data access, wrap APIs, encode 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 assumptions, validation, reproducibility, and decision support.
Governed AI adoption
Early LLM experimentation, multidisciplinary exploration, management briefings, Copilot rollout input, responsible-use guidance, and AI-assisted engineering patterns.
Technical skills
Programming & Frameworks
Decision Support & Adoption
Data & AI
Cloud & DevOps
Domain Expertise
Strategy & Leadership
Professional experience
- Develop digital-twin concepts for drinking-water treatment and distribution, translating telemetry, lab context, scenarios, replay, reporting, and validation needs into inspectable software workflows
- Create and maintain internal Python SDKs that standardize data access, wrap APIs, and encode reusable domain logic, now a shared foundation adopted across a growing data team for analytics, automation, and internal tools
- Build internal applications and services with FastAPI, React/Next.js, TypeScript, SQL, Azure services, Docker, CI/CD, authentication patterns, documentation, and Power BI where operational reporting fits
- Work on Python-based integration patterns for domain solvers such as PHREEQC and EPANET, connecting scientific models to web-based scenario and decision-support workflows
- Turn ambiguous, cross-team operational questions into data products that make assumptions, data quality, and decisions visible. Several are now in daily use across teams and credited with meaningful time savings, including work delivered in-house instead of outsourced
- Help mature data-science delivery practices through code review, typed interfaces, modular project structure, documentation, deployment discipline, Agile working methods, and handoff paths to managed platforms
- Shape governed AI adoption through early LLM experimentation, multidisciplinary exploration, ChatGPT/Copilot pilots, management briefings, responsible-use input, and AI-assisted engineering patterns
- Coach junior data scientists and data professionals, contribute heavily to recruiting and onboarding as the data team grew, and act as a practical bridge between domain experts, data-platform teams, software delivery, and leadership
- 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
- 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
Specializations: Water Resource Management, Hydrology
Thesis: Investigating the MetOp ASCAT vegetation parameters with clustering
Multidisciplinary project: Testing mobile data gathering in the Phetchaburi river basin and possible applications
Field experience
BSc Civil Engineering
Delft University of Technology · 2011 – 2016
Field experience
Contact
Download the PDF or get in touch
Use the PDF for a compact version, or send an email if the mix of water-domain context, internal platforms, and applied AI is relevant.



