Microsoft Certified Data Engineer
Microsoft Fabric migrations · ADF pipelines · Power BI · Real estate data platforms
Haris Aqeel
Senior Data Engineer · Microsoft Fabric Certified
Build your data platform the best it can be with a Senior Data Engineer
I design, build and optimise end-to-end data platforms on Microsoft Fabric and Azure — from lakehouse architecture and integration pipelines to governed semantic layers that Power BI can trust.
A data engineer who thinks like a software engineer.
These days I work mostly in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem — Fabric, ADF, Databricks, Power BI. The software background still shapes how I think — I approach data systems with clean architecture, maintainability, not just making it work.
Experience
Folio3 Software
- Leading Microsoft Fabric migration from Azure Synapse to Fabric Lakehouse and Warehouse environments using Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold layers)
- Designing and optimising data pipelines using Fabric Pipelines and Azure Data Factory for enterprise-scale data movement including Dynamics 365 F&O integration
- Building and maintaining Power BI semantic models and paginated reports for business stakeholders
- Writing optimised SQL and PySpark queries against Fabric Lakehouse for data transformation and reporting
- Pulling Google Analytics data into BigQuery and surfacing insights through Power BI dashboards
- Managing Azure DevOps deployment pipelines to move resources across Dev/Test/Prod workspaces using ARM templates
- Built ETL pipelines with Azure Data Factory + PySpark in Databricks handling large data volumes daily
- Implemented Medallion Architecture (Raw → Bronze → Silver → Gold) using Delta Tables in Databricks
- Created views in Azure SQL Data Warehouse powering Power BI reports
- Developed DAX-driven reports in Power BI and Excel for data analysis
- Pulled data from Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations via pipelines into Fabric environment
- Utilized deployment pipelines to promote resources across workspaces/environments
Microsoft FabricAzure Data Factory
Azure Databricks
Power BI
PySpark
SQL
Google BigQuery
FlipIQ
- Built Microsoft Fabric pipelines to ingest and transform California MLS property listing data, making it available for structured consumption on the platform
- Delivered frontend and backend web application features for a US real estate investment platform, working with property transaction data and investor-facing tools
- Gained hands-on domain knowledge of real estate data — property listings, transaction records, market data — directly relevant to commercial real estate environments
Next.js
Node.jsMicrosoft FabricMLS Data
Connect4Healing, Inc.
- Built HIPAA-compliant telehealth UI with React + Material-UI
- Integrated FullCalendar.io for appointment scheduling
- Implemented Vonage API for real-time video conferencing
- AWS backend integration (.NET Framework APIs)
- Firebase real-time database, SendGrid & Twilio notifications
React
MUI
Firebase
AWS
Vonage
PrivacyLabs
- Led MVP development for privacy-focused web apps (React.js + Node.js)
- Implemented GDPR-aligned data encryption and security protocols
- Achieved 30% reduction in load times through code refactoring
- Collaborated with UI/UX designers to ship interactive features
React.jsNode.js
GDPR
Encryption
Aciano Technologies
- Transformed Figma designs into React Native mobile app
- Integrated Redux Persist for state management
- REST API integration
React Native
Redux
REST APIs
Worktrim
- React.js components from Figma designs (Material-UI v4)
- JWT/Bearer auth, Formik + Yup form validation
React.jsMaterial-UI
JWTFormik
Upwork
- Top Rated Plus freelancer with 100% Job Success Score across 50+ projects
- Built AI map-based recommendation platform with Next.js, Supabase, and OpenAI API
- Redeveloped Old West Temecula travel site in Next.js with Turbopack and Vercel
- Automated email follow-ups using Power Automate, Zapier, and ChatGPT API
- Delivered full-stack web apps for clients in healthcare, real estate, SaaS, and e-commerce
- Long-term contracts including $25K+ engagement (817 hrs) for a React-based platform
ReactNext.jsNode.js
TypeScript
PythonAWSFirebaseThings I've built.
Designed and implemented end-to-end Microsoft Fabric data platform for enterprise client. Built Medallion Architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold) over OneLake, ADF pipelines integrating Dynamics 365 F&O and Google Analytics via BigQuery, Power BI semantic models with Direct Lake mode, and Azure DevOps deployment pipelines across Dev/Test/Prod workspaces.
Microsoft FabricADFPower BID365 F&OBigQueryMedallion ArchitectureAzure DevOpsEnterprise Fabric Data Platform
Data Engineering
Automated email follow-up system using Power Automate and ChatGPT API. Triggers on new emails, analyzes response delays, and drafts personalized follow-ups via AWS Lambda and Zapier.
Email Automation
AI · Data
AI map-based recommendation platform integrating Google Maps, Google Places API, and OpenAI API. Built with Next.js, Supabase for real-time backend, and Clerk for authentication.
Next.jsSupabaseGoogle Maps APIOpenAI API10recs
Full-Stack · AI
Live traffic information platform for Cajon Pass featuring real-time camera feeds, interactive Google Maps with traffic overlays, road alerts & hazard reporting, nearby gas stations and restaurants with ratings — all with auto-refreshing live data.
Next.jsGoogle Maps APIGoogle Places API
VercelSummit Navigator
Full-Stack · Real-Time
Privacy-focused web application with GDPR-aligned data encryption and security protocols. Led full MVP development from scratch.
React.jsNode.jsGDPREncryptionPrivacyLabs
Web Design
Full-stack web development project delivering a polished, responsive platform with modern UI/UX and robust backend integration.
ReactTypeScriptNode.jsEshterakat
Web Development
SaaS product development initiative — built the core product features, user flows, and scalable frontend architecture.
React
GraphQLTypeScriptMijulo
SaaS Product
AI-powered recipe generation application combining marketing strategy with intelligent content creation.
ReactAI/MLNode.jsAI Recipe Creator
Marketing & AI
Development project focused on delivering a clean, performant application with attention to detail and user experience.
React
JavaScriptREST APIsNotch
Development
Fully responsive travel website built with Next.js and Turbopack. Sleek UI with optimized images, CMS integration, Resend for emails, SEO audit, and Vercel deployment.
Next.jsVercelResponsive DesignSEOOld West Temecula
Frontend...and 40+ more delivered to clients worldwide.
Architecture Showcase
Five architecture patterns I've built, studied, or can speak to in depth.
Medallion Lakehouse
The core pattern behind every Fabric data platform I build.
The Medallion Architecture is the backbone of how data moves from raw ingestion to business consumption inside Microsoft Fabric’s lakehouse. The entire pipeline runs over OneLake — Fabric’s unified storage layer built on Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 — which means every layer shares the same physical storage with zero data duplication.
Raw Layer (Landing Zone)
Data lands here exactly as it arrives — unmodified, unvalidated, immutable. This is the safety net. Whether the source is Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, a REST API, an SFTP drop, or a bulk CSV upload, everything is written to OneLake as Parquet files via Azure Data Factory pipelines or Fabric Data Pipelines. This layer supports full replay — if anything downstream breaks, we can re-process from source truth.
Bronze Layer (Ingested, Unvalidated)
Delta Tables are created here from the raw files. Data is typed and schema-enforced but not yet cleaned. The value of Bronze is that it makes data queryable for the first time — via Spark notebooks or the SQL analytics endpoint — without any business logic applied. We use Delta Lake’s transaction log here to support time travel, meaning we can query what the data looked like at any historical point.
Silver Layer (Cleaned, Joined, Conformed)
This is where PySpark does the heavy lifting. Deduplication, null handling, type casting, business key resolution, and cross-source joins all happen here. Silver is the single source of truth for the data team. It’s not opinionated about how the business will use it — it’s just accurate, consistent, and complete. Selective filtering ensures only business-relevant tables and columns are promoted to Silver, keeping the layer clean and focused for downstream consumption.
Gold Layer (Business-Ready, Aggregated)
Fact tables and business-ready dimensional models live here. Gold tables are the direct input to Power BI semantic models using Direct Lake mode — meaning Power BI reads Parquet files directly from OneLake rather than importing a cached copy, giving near-real-time performance without refresh lag. DAX measures are defined at the semantic model layer on top of Gold, keeping business logic consolidated and reusable across reports.
Consumption Layer
Power BI reports, Excel, Looker Studio, and the SQL analytics endpoint all consume from Gold. Deployment pipelines in Fabric manage promotion from Dev → Test → Prod workspaces with Git-based version control.
Key design decisions:
- —Delta Lake format everywhere: transactional consistency, time travel, schema evolution
- —OneLake shortcuts: multiple Fabric items access the same data without copying it
- —Direct Lake mode: eliminates the performance penalty of DirectQuery without data duplication
- —Workspace isolation: Dev/Test/Prod with separate capacities and CI/CD gates
Skills & Technologies
Easily integrate your data stack with platforms and tools I work with every day.
Data Engineering
Design and build scalable data pipelines and lakehouse architectures
Azure Data FactoryAzure DatabricksPySparkMicrosoft Fabric
Delta LakeMedallion ArchitectureETL/ELT PipelinesAzure SQL Data WarehouseGoogle BigQueryData ModelingAnalytics & BI
Transform raw data into actionable business intelligence
Power BIDAX
ExcelData Visualization
Dynamics 365 F&OCloud Platforms
Build and deploy on enterprise cloud infrastructure
Microsoft AzureAWS (Amplify, Lambda, S3, CloudFront, Cognito)
Google Cloud PlatformServerless ArchitectureVercelFull-Stack (Prior)
End-to-end web application development experience
React.jsNext.jsTypeScriptJavaScriptNode.jsPython
Express.js
MongoDB
MySQLFirebaseReduxREST APIsGraphQLAI & Automation
Integrate AI models and automate workflows
OpenAI IntegrationMicrosoft Power AutomateChatbot Development
Gemini/Bard IntegrationAI Model IntegrationDevOps & Tools
CI/CD and infrastructure tooling
AWS CDK
Git
Docker (basic)CI/CD Deployment PipelinesCertifications
Fabric Data Engineer Associate
MicrosoftFabric Analytics Engineer Associate
MicrosoftAzure Data Fundamentals
Microsoft
BTA Certified Blockchain Business Foundations
Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript
React.js Essential Training
Getting Started with Google Kubernetes Engine
Networking Academy Learn-A-Thon 2021 & 2022
What people say.
LinkedIn Recommendations
“Haris worked for my startup for 11 months, where he was able to create our MVP. Haris was the most honest and effective freelancer I have ever worked with. I knew that when I assigned a task to him, he would accomplish the task effectively... I could trust his judgment on his capabilities, skills, and expected task completion timeframe.”
Daniel O'Neil
CEO @ PrivacyLabs
April 2024 · Direct manager
“To date, Haris is the most reliable, present, dedicated and professional freelancer I've hired, and I've hired and worked with over 600 now... His speed and professionalism are truly commendable.”
Mike Soertsz
CTO | Building Product for Startups
August 2023 · Direct manager
“He was always patient in understanding our needs and quick to implement changes... Given his level of expertise and engagement, he makes you feel as if you're his only client.”
Tron Mason, MBA
Engineering Team Lead, U.S. House of Representatives
August 2023 · Client
“He is honest about the amount of time he completes on projects and is easy to work with. I also found him to be very accommodating to working with clients out of his time zone.”
Kristen Burke, MBA, MS
Founder/CEO · Cross-Functional Project Leader
March 2024 · Client
“Haris is one of few honest developers out there. He accurately reports associated details and has been a pleasure to work with. He's responsive and provides good quality work.”
Cesar Diaz
Entrepreneur, Investor
August 2023 · Client
“Haris is an exceptional coder and problem solver. His attention to detail and ability to find creative solutions make him a valuable asset to any team. He is a reliable and efficient team member.”
Ahmed Ali
Blockchain Engineer @ TruYields
January 2023 · Colleague
Client Reviews
“Incredible speed and communication! Built the MVP I was looking for in record time. Will work with him again!”
“Harris is a great React developer. Outstanding skills and always available. Communication is super perfect.”
“Haris is an amazing developer with excellent communication skills. Extremely passionate and knowledgeable full stack developer.”
“Haris is an exceptional Freelancer. He is hard working and terrific knowledge that enables him to problem solve quickly and autonomously. A great asset.”
“Terrific freelancer, diligent and hard-working. An excellent problem solver. I will hire again.”
“Understood detailed scope and did job accordingly. Good follow up and details. Will work with Haris again.”
“Great working with Haris again. Always honest and caring about his work.”
“Haris was excellent from the start taking on a short notice project. Very efficient and professional, even provided a long term solution while resolving the current issue.”
“Very good, quick work. Solution works just as expected. Haris is very helpful and readily available.”
“Haris is an excellent and hard working developer who has provided non-stop excellent work since we started our relationship.”
“Fast and skilled. Will definitely work together in future.”
“He was great. Was super fast and high quality work. Haris is fantastic and a great expert in web development.”
“Haris Aqeel has done a quick, great, well written and well communicated job. He is surely the goto developer!”
“Great work. It required a good understanding of Python and Typescript, and he did it great!”
“Haris was very helpful. He immediately understood my problems, found effective solutions and explained every detail.”