From PLC programmer to Industrial Data Engineer
Build the missing AI Data Layer that turns raw sensor data into AI-ready information. Open source. €8/month. Deploy at every client in under 1 hour.
The 5-Phase Curriculum
From sensor to dashboard — build the complete AI Data Layer stack. Self-paced. Start anytime. Cancel anytime.
Phase 1: Foundation — Understand the Stack
Build the complete IDP stack on your laptop. Understand why every component exists and how they connect. MQTT → MongoDB → Grafana running locally.
Phase 2: Data In — From PLC to IDP
Connect your PLCs via OPC-UA, MQTT, or Modbus. Live sensor data flows automatically into MongoDB. No more manual exports.
⭐ Phase 3: Model — The AI Data Layer
Build the ISA-95 semantic model. TIC-001 = 67.3 becomes 'Pasteurizer · 67.3°C · Normal · OK'. This is the layer AVEVA charges €40K/year for. You build it yourself in JSON.
Phase 4: Store & View — MongoDB + Grafana
Store time-series data in MongoDB with the right structure. Build Grafana dashboards that show information, not just numbers. The semantic layer makes your dashboards truly meaningful.
Phase 5: Deploy & Build — VPS + Practical Capstone
Deploy your complete IDP stack to a VPS for €8/month with Docker + HTTPS. Complete the capstone build 'Build Your Own Plant Platform' (55 steps) — the working IDP on your own VPS is your portfolio piece. No formal certificate; the live system itself is your proof.
Choose your path
Start free with the framework. When you're ready to build, the program is one price.
🎓 FREE
Start with the framework
Map the missing data layer before you build it.
- Free 7-Step Framework PDF (the blueprint)
- 3 starter scripts: OPC-UA reader, ISA-95 JSON model, Grafana template
- 5-lesson email series — one layer per week
- Email required — instant download
⭐ FOUNDING MEMBER
The program to become an Industrial Data Engineer
Build a working AI Data Layer on your own VPS. Become the engineer your factory needs.
- Biweekly live lessons + full recordings
- Working IDP on your own €8/mo VPS (55-step capstone build)
- All source files: docker-compose, scripts, templates
- Micro-learnings: Docker · SQL · Python · APIs · pipelines · warehouse · AI
- Private community + monthly Q&A call
- Cancel anytime · no contracts
How you learn
One program, two parallel delivery modes. The workshops build the layer. The micro-learnings build the engineer.
Track A — Workshops
Build the layer
Biweekly live sessions (60-90 min). First workshop 5 June 2026. Each workshop builds one layer of the AI Data Layer framework.
- 1.Connect — pull PLC tags
- 2.Condition — clean the data
- 3.Model — ISA-95 semantics
- 4.Store — MongoDB time-series
- 5.Orchestrate — wire the pipelines
- 6.Visualize — Grafana dashboards
- 7.Distribute — to dashboards, AI agents and MES
Track B — Micro-learnings
Build the engineer
Compact, OT-anchored lessons you follow at your own pace. Each topic ships with code you can run today.
Seven skills that compound:
Inside the program
Seven skills that compound. Each one bite-sized, OT-anchored, with code you can run today.
Docker
Containerize your OT stack. Ship the same MQTT/MongoDB/Grafana setup to every client in under an hour.
SQL
Model factory data with ISA-95 semantics. Turn raw tags into AI-ready records.
Python
Replace manual exports with scripts. Read OPC-UA, parse, transform, push to your layer.
APIs
Build FastAPI endpoints that expose plant data to dashboards and AI agents.
Data pipelines
From PLC tag to canonical record: MQTT → MongoDB → Grafana, end to end.
Data warehouse
Staging → canonical warehouse → use-case marts. The 3-layer architecture AI needs.
AI
Engineer WITH AI (TIA Portal review, alarm correlation) and apply AI IN OT (predictive maintenance, anomaly detection).
What every member gets
Included with Founding Member.
Working IDP as portfolio piece
Complete the 55-step capstone build. A live stack on your own VPS — stronger than a PDF certificate. Show it to clients and on LinkedIn. First step on the path: Industrial Data Engineer today (tools mastery), Industrial Data Architect in 2-3 years once you're designing multi-site platforms.
Deploy in < 1 hour at every client
One reusable framework. One investment. Returns at every factory project. AVEVA charges €40K/year for what you'll build yourself.
Need 1-on-1 help with YOUR plant?
Book a session for code review, architecture design, or migration planning. €150/hr Support · €300/hr Architecture.
Book a consult sessionBecome a Founding Member at the launch workshop.
Biweekly live workshops, CONNECT → DISTRIBUTE — the program in motion.
The ROI that makes this a no-brainer
AVEVA Connect: €40,000/year. This program: €49/month. Your first extra client project covers the cost.
Marco's numbers after the program:
- Extra revenue from data platform projects: €15,000–€45,000 per year from new IDP projects you couldn't win before
- Higher day rate as Industrial Data Engineer: +€15–€25/hour × 1,500 hours = €22,500–€37,500 per year
- Time saved with reusable framework: Deploy in < 1 hour instead of weeks — at every client, every time
Total return: 10×–20× annual return. Investment returned in under 1 month.
Ready to build the missing layer?
Join the waitlist for the Industrial Data Platform program. Founding Member: €49/month. Cancel anytime.
24
OT engineers in private community
7
Build steps (Connect → Distribute)
12wk
To your working IDP on €8/mo VPS