About Francis
I’m a software architect with nearly 20 years in Python, specialising in backend systems, DevOps, and agile delivery. I design scalable infrastructure with solid CI/CD and automation — and coach teams to work smarter, not just harder.
I solve the “growth pain” problem that breaks promising companies.
When a startup hits Series A/B, the scrappy code that fuelled early success becomes the bottleneck. Deployments fail, features take twice as long, and technical debt piles up fast.
I specialise in transforming chaotic codebases into future-proof systems while keeping your team productive.
My edge:
- Fast audits: pinpointing root causes, not just surface bugs
- Strategic fixes: 20 years pattern-matching scaling challenges
- Strong people skills: social sciences background, exceptional stakeholder comms
- Iterative process design: improvements that compound while shipping features
- Independent execution: diagnose, decide, deliver — no micromanagement needed
What I deliver:
- Backend architecture built for your next 3 years of growth
- DevOps & Infrastructure: CI/CD, cloud migration, automation that cuts overhead
- Team coaching: upskilling junior devs with senior architectural thinking
- AI integration done right: strategic use of AI without creating new tech debt
Available for fast audits and 3–6 month transformation projects.
English
Native or bilingual
Dutch
Conversational
French
Basic
Can work on-site
Amsterdam (up to 50km)
Experience
- Airborne,Lead Software EngineerJanuary 2025 - June 2025 (5 months)The Hague, Netherlands• Sole developer responsible for technical strategy, architecture, implementation, and deployment.• Designed and implemented a floor production tooling system using Python, Django and NiceGUI.• Scaled up the system to increase throughput from 2 products per week to 4 per day.• Integrated with PLCs via OPC UA to automate industrial workflows and provide real-time system feedback• Worked closely with internal stakeholders to generate technical requirements.
- Octa Pharmacy Group,Python DeveloperApril 2024 - August 2024 (4 months)Amsterdam, Netherlands• Guided development of a production management system using Python, FastAPI and VueJS.• Built production UI with VueJS and React to streamline factory floor operations, supporting non-technical users.• Introduced quality assurance, deployment and testing strategy within the project.• Mentored junior colleagues and introduced agile practices like code review and pair programming to the team of 4.
- Portbase,Backend Tech LeadOctober 2022 - December 2023 (1 year and 2 months)Rotterdam, Netherlands• Managed development of a complex data sharing platform for the Dutch port community paving the road to scaling up from 70 to 5000 active accounts.• Redesigned and optimised a legacy system at Portbase, resulting in a significant reduction of CI/CD pipeline execution time from 40 to 2 minutes.• Managed migration from a custom-built Python backend to FastAPI.• Migrated the app to a new AWS account using Terraform.• Led the recruitment process by redesigning existing protocols and interviewing around 10 candidates.
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Education
- MSc of PsychologyUniversity of Social Sciences and Humanities2012MSc of Psychology