07/28/2026 updated

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Platform Architect / Principal Engineer

Weesp, Netherlands
Only remote
BA Computer Science
Weesp, Netherlands
Only remote
BA Computer Science

Profile attachments

2026-07-20_CV Mike Ahlers_EN.pdf

About me

Passionate about technology, but also a pet lover

Applications ArchitectureBig DataClient Server ModelsCloud EngineeringData ArchitectureDevOpsMessaging Application Programming InterfaceOpenShiftSolution ArchitectureSystems ArchitectureSystems IntegrationModel-Driven ArchitectureEnterprise Application PlatformCloud Platform SystemApache CamelKubernetesCassandraIntegration FrameworksApache KafkaDockerMicroservices
Platform & Integration Architecture
Design and implementation of high-performance integration platforms using Apache Camel (EIP), Spring Boot, and microservices architectures. Proven track record in transforming monolithic systems into scalable, distributed landscapes and eliminating vendor lock-ins.

Cloud Infrastructure & Kubernetes
Migration and consolidation of 50+ legacy Virtual Machines to Kubernetes (AKS) clusters. Setup of private cloud environments including High-Availability Openshift architectures based on Proxmox and GlusterFS, as well as management of Azure DevOps pipelines.

CI/CD & DevOps Engineering
Development of automated bootstrap pipelines, nightly scan pipelines for technical debt reporting, and reusable GitLab CI templates. Implementation of GitOps practices, ArgoCD, and automated deployment processes linked to monitoring tools like Grafana and Prometheus.

Big Data & Streaming
Introduction of scalable Big Data storage with Apache Druid for real-time and historical traffic analysis. Design of real-time streaming endpoints using Server-Side Events (SSE) and integration of Apache Kafka and Cassandra platforms on dedicated bare-metal hardware.

Agile Delivery & Requirements Management
Design and implementation of a Dual-Track Lifecycle in Azure DevOps, synchronizing architecture and NFRs with agile sprint delivery. Structuring of full traceability for system-wide requirements by mapping functional requirements as parents to user stories.

Security & Network Robustness
Design of generic edge-validation microservices in the DMZ to filter and block corrupt external data streams. Introduction of Docker container vulnerability scanning (Trivy) and standardization of base images to enterprise security standards.

Technical Leadership & Team Development
Restructuring of monolithic teams into autonomous specialized sub-teams. Setup of hiring and selection processes for developers and ops engineers, as well as onboarding and mentoring of junior talent and interns.

Enterprise Architecture Modeling
Application of C4 Architecture Modeling and Open API Specification (OAS) for structured documentation and communication of complex system architectures to both technical teams and executive stakeholders.

Java Development
Extensive experience with Java across multiple versions (Java 11, 17, 21) for building enterprise-grade applications, microservices, and integration frameworks. Use of tools such as Springboot, Camel, Maven, Hibernate, Testcontainers, and Flyway.

Database & Messaging Technologies
Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Sybase, DB2, Apache Kafka, Cassandra, Druid, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, and Elasticsearch for designing robust data storage and messaging solutions in distributed environments.

Experience

Professional experience10+ years
Freelancer since2008

Languages

EnglishFluentDutchNative speaker

Project history

Owner & Principal Architect

Technolords
Designed and built an in-house open-source code-generation framework based on the JPA specification utilizing XML, XSLT, and custom bytecode analyzers. Served as technical lead, architect, and lead developer for various prominent clients.

Platform Architect / Tech Lead

Rijkswaterstaat
Remediation of business-critical failing software systems including the national publication chain for 18k+ matrix signs and Floating Car Data. Dismantling of a costly Mulesoft vendor lock-in and elevation of internal engineering culture. Redesign of the publication chain into a scalable Spring Boot and Apache Camel architecture, migration of 50+ legacy VMs to Kubernetes (AKS), introduction of distributed caching, Dual-Track Agile in Azure DevOps, and scalable Big Data storage with Apache Druid. Technologies: ActiveMQ, Apache Camel, Apache Druid, Apache Kafka, ArgoCD, Azure DevOps, C4 Architecture Modeling, Docker, Flyway, Gatling, GitOps, Grafana, Helm, Java 21, Kubernetes (AKS), Maven, Open API Specification, Podman, PostgreSQL, Prometheus, RabbitMQ, Server Side Events, Sonarqube, Splunk, Spring Boot, Testcontainers, Trivy.

Solution / Platform Architect

UL TS (Underwriters Laboratories)
Reinforcement of an internationally operating development team responsible for transaction validation systems. Transformation of a stalled monolithic application into a scalable microservices landscape using Apache Camel. Modernization of CI/CD processes with GitLab CI templates, introduction of Docker container vulnerability scanning, and strategic restructuring plan presented to the CTO. Technologies: Apache Camel (EIP), Docker, Enterprise Architecture Refactoring, GitLab CI, Grafana, Java 17, Microservices, PostgreSQL, Prometheus, Security Scan Automation (Clair), Spring Boot.

Platform & Cloud Engineer

Vialis
Setup of a critical data stream from Intelligent Roadside Systems (iVRIs) to the National Data Portal for Road Traffic (NDW) and recovery of Vialis private cloud initiative. Built a high-performance TCP prototype using Apache Camel and Netty, designed and launched the Vialis Private Cloud on Openshift with Proxmox and GlusterFS, and optimized Kafka and Cassandra platforms on bare-metal hardware. Technologies: Apache Camel (EIP), Apache Cassandra, Apache Kafka, Apache ZooKeeper, Docker, GitLab, GlusterFS, Java 11, Jira, Kanban, Ldap, Netcat, Netty, Openshift (Kubernetes), Proxmox, Spring Boot, Source-to-Image (S2I), TCP.

Integration Platform Consultant / Developer

Liberty Global
Consultant and architectural sparring partner between Liberty Global and Red Hat Professional Services to build a generic integration platform connecting backends with millions of TV set-top boxes. Delivered a fully functional integration platform prototype within a one-week deadline, designed a parallel integration pattern using Apache Camel and Fusesource, and achieved a successful international rollout across multiple European countries. Technologies: Apache Camel (EIP), Elasticsearch, Fusesource, High-Concurrency, Java 11, Jira, Kibana, Latency Tuning, Scrum.

Team Lead / Architect (Freelance)

De Telefoongids
Led large-scale ESB integrations and infrastructure migrations. Tech: Java, Fuse ESB, Camel, Spring, CXF, MongoDB, Docker.

Architect / PM / Dev (Freelance)

Het Visumburo
Completely restructured the IT infrastructure and orchestrated the development environment. Tech: Orbeon, XPL, XSLT, XQuery, Java, Cocoon, eXist, JBoss.

Architect / Developer

The Speech Corporation
Built globally scheduled voice infrastructure networks operating across multiple time zones. Tech: J2EE, JBoss, DNS, Orbeon, VXML, GRXML, CCXML.

Architect / Developer

Barito
Designed custom payment and SMS messaging gateways. Tech: FlashRemoting, Spring, J2EE, Orion, JBoss, MySQL, Struts.

Developer / Mentor

Ordina
Developed extensive banking applications; coached and mentored medior/junior Java developers. Tech: Java Code Gen, Hibernate, J2EE, Sybase, DB2, WebSphere.

Research / Analyst

Hippo
Maintained object-persistence engines and content management extensions. Tech: JDO/OJB, Cocoon, Groovy, XML, XSLT, MySQL, PostgreSQL.

Architect / Developer

Aespen Brokers
Built a real-time shared address book as a client-side Swing application featuring synchronization. Tech: Client-side Java, XML, MySQL.

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