Hardware Platform Engineer

Jos van den Berg

Hoogendoorn Growth Management — connecting nature and technology

Rhenen, Utrecht · Netherlands

Jos van den Berg

Who I am

Hardware Platform Engineer with over a decade at Hoogendoorn Growth Management — owning the hardware foundation that powers professional horticulture worldwide.

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Background

My work sits at the intersection of engineering and product strategy in professional horticulture. At Hoogendoorn Growth Management — a leading Dutch supplier of climate and process control systems for greenhouses worldwide — I own the hardware platform that underpins the products growers around the world rely on every day. From component selection and supplier partnerships to compatibility management, upgrade paths, and end-of-life transitions: as Hoogendoorn has grown and its products have evolved, so has the scope of my role.

Beyond my work at Hoogendoorn, I'm actively involved in the Horti Lighting Protocol (HLP) — an industry initiative focused on standardisation and interoperability in horticulture lighting. My goal is to help build a connected ecosystem that drives innovation and sustainability across the sector.

Location

Rhenen
Utrecht, Netherlands

Domain

Horticulture
Technology

At Hoogendoorn

10+
years

Education

Electrical Engineering
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Experience

2015 –
Present
Current
Hardware Platform Engineer

Hoogendoorn Growth Management is a leading Dutch supplier of climate and process control systems for professional horticulture, with installations at growers worldwide.

Responsible for the full hardware lifecycle across Hoogendoorn's product portfolio. This covers hardware component selection, introduction of new components, and managing replacement and end-of-life transitions — while maintaining compatibility with the broad range of existing systems in the field. Works closely with suppliers on long-term roadmaps, qualification processes, and upgrade path development. Grown alongside the company over 10+ years, taking on increasing responsibility as Hoogendoorn's product portfolio and market reach have expanded.

  • Defined and delivered the hardware platform for IIVO (2020) — Hoogendoorn's next-generation process computer, built from scratch to replace the legacy iSii system and now their primary climate control platform.
  • Optimised hardware configurations across the product portfolio, improving reliability and long-term supportability.
  • Led integration of complex third-party hardware systems into Hoogendoorn's solutions.
  • Active contributor to the implementation and adoption of the Horti Lighting Protocol (HLP).
sep 2014 –
feb 2015
Graduation Engineer
Strukton Rolling Stock

Graduation project: development of bi-directional communication over a low-voltage power line for galvanically isolated control and power supply of an IGBT driver in high-voltage applications — eliminating the need for two fibre-optic connections per IGBT.

sep 2012 –
feb 2013
Intern — Hardware & Firmware
Thomas & Betts – VanLien

Design of a battery test system for testing properties and specifications of batteries used in emergency lighting fixtures. Developed hardware and firmware for battery charging and voltage/current measurement, with PC communication for test procedure configuration and data logging.

jan 2012 –
dec 2012
Technical Draughtsman
SKIDATA B.V.

Drawing electrical installations, block diagrams and floor plans in AutoCAD and Visio.

2008 –
2010
Early career
SKIDATA · Pro-Nautas · Schaap Geluidstechniek · Cascade

Various internships and roles during technical education — covering electrical draughting (AutoCAD/Visio), electronics modification and HMI design, installation and maintenance of navigation and communication equipment aboard ships, and audio-visual systems.

Skills

Hardware Platform Engineering Component Selection Lifecycle Management Obsolescence Management New Product Introduction Supplier Management Compatibility Engineering Upgrade Path Development Cross-functional Collaboration Electrical Engineering Electronics Horticulture Technology Product Strategy Horti Lighting Protocol (HLP) Standardisation & Interoperability

Academic background

2010 –
Electrical Engineering

HBO bachelor in Electrical Engineering.

Let's connect

Always open for a conversation

Whether you want to discuss hardware strategy, horticulture technology, or just connect — feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.

Message on LinkedIn