Freelance cloud engineer? We find the assignment that fits you
Maedium places cloud engineers into assignments with clients across the Randstad — involved, personal and DBA-compliant. One fixed point of contact, no CV factory.
Sign up as a freelancerWhat does a freelance cloud engineer do?
As a freelance cloud engineer you design, build and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure or Google Cloud. You migrate systems to the cloud, automate deployment with infrastructure as code (Terraform, Bicep, CloudFormation), manage containers (Docker, Kubernetes) and monitor cost, performance and security. The work ranges from a short migration to a longer assignment in which you help a platform grow with an organisation.
As a freelancer you choose which assignments fit you — in terms of technology, level and region. One engineer focuses on a specific platform, another on multi-cloud, Kubernetes or security. Those scarce specialisms in particular are in demand and command a higher rate. What you bring to every assignment: you work independently, you are responsible for your own results, and you remain an entrepreneur.
Maedium helps you find those assignments. We know the clients across the Randstad, know what they are looking for, and put you forward specifically when there is a match — rather than adding your CV to a pile.
What do you earn as a freelance cloud engineer?
Your rate depends on your experience, your specialism and the region where you work. Indicative, excluding VAT, hourly rates in the Randstad are roughly:
- Junior (0–3 yrs): around €58–€80 per hour
- Medior (3–6 yrs): around €80–€100 per hour
- Senior (6+ yrs, multi-cloud/security): around €100–€120+ per hour
In and around Amsterdam and Utrecht rates are highest; in the more rural regions somewhat lower. Scarce profiles — Kubernetes at scale, multi-cloud, security — sit structurally at the top. Want to know what is realistic for your profile? We will look at that together during an introductory call.
With brokerage, Maedium charges a fee that is separate from your rate — so you know in advance exactly what you receive per hour. How that fee and the structures work, you can read below.
How do you find assignments?
As a freelancer you can do your own acquisition, but that costs time you would rather spend on your craft. Through a broker like Maedium you gain access to assignments with clients we already know, often before they reach the open market. You don't have to tout your CV around; we put you forward specifically where there is a genuine match. That saves you acquisition time and increases the chance of an assignment that fits.
What does Maedium do for you?
We get to know you in an intake conversation: your experience, your stack, your preferences regarding assignment, region and working arrangement. Then we match you specifically to assignments that fit. One fixed point of contact arranges the agreements, the contract and the DBA-compliant structure, and stays reachable during your assignment. If something isn't going smoothly, the lines are short.
Brokerage or intermediation — what does it mean for you?
Maedium works in two ways, and the difference matters for you as a freelancer.
With brokerage, Maedium puts you in contact with the client and you conclude an agreement directly with that client. You invoice the client yourself; Maedium receives a brokerage fee. So you are in a direct relationship with your client.
With intermediation, Maedium sits contractually between you and the client: you conclude an agreement with Maedium, and Maedium with the client. You invoice Maedium. This structure is often chosen when the client does not want to contract directly with freelancers, or when it simplifies the collaboration. The intermediation fee is usually slightly higher than the brokerage fee, because Maedium takes on more of a role and risk.
Which form fits depends on the assignment and the client's wishes. We always discuss in advance which structure we use and what it means for your rate and invoicing — no surprises afterwards.
Do you work directly for the client?
With brokerage: yes, you contract and invoice directly with the client. With intermediation the contract runs through Maedium, but in practice you simply work at and for the client. In both cases you do your work independently and as an entrepreneur.
What does Maedium keep from the match?
Maedium charges a fee: around 10% for brokerage and around 15% for intermediation, on top of the hourly rate you receive. Your rate is separate from that — you know in advance exactly what you get per hour. You don't pay the fee yourself; it is part of the agreement with the client.
Working DBA-proof as a freelance cloud engineer
Since the Dutch Tax Authority resumed enforcement on false self-employment, it is more important than ever for you as a freelancer to set up your assignments so that you genuinely work as an independent professional. That means, among other things: carrying out your work independently, no authority relationship as with an employee, and preferably multiple clients over time.
Maedium thinks along with you on this. We work with clear agreements and choose the structure that fits together, so your assignment is workable as an independent professional both on paper and in practice. We are honest about what is and isn't possible: a model agreement or an intermediation structure is an aid, not a guarantee — ultimately what counts is how you actually work. That is precisely why we take this seriously from the start.
Want to dive deeper into the Wet DBA and what it means for you? Read our detailed explanation.
How signing up with Maedium works
Signing up is low-threshold and takes little time:
- Introduction. We schedule a conversation to go through your experience, your stack and your wishes regarding assignment, region and working arrangement.
- Matching. As soon as there is a fitting assignment, we put you forward specifically to the client — not a CV on a pile, but a well-founded recommendation.
- Agreements and structure. We arrange the contract and the DBA-compliant structure together (brokerage or intermediation), with clear agreements on rate and invoicing.
- During the assignment. Your fixed point of contact stays reachable. If something isn't going smoothly, we tackle it together.
You are not committing to anything by signing up — an introduction is without obligation. We simply look at whether we can mean something for each other.
Frequently asked questions from freelance cloud engineers
Do I need a BV to work through Maedium?
No. You can work as a sole trader (eenmanszaak) or from a BV. A BV offers advantages at higher turnover or more risk, but is not a requirement. We look together at what fits your situation, and you don't need to change anything about this to sign up.
How quickly can I get an assignment?
That depends on your profile, your rate and current demand. Scarce specialisms (Kubernetes, multi-cloud, security) are often placed quickly. We are honest about what is realistic and keep you informed, even when there is briefly no fitting assignment.
Does it cost me anything to sign up?
No. Signing up and the introduction are free and without obligation. The fee Maedium charges is part of the agreement with the client and is separate from your hourly rate — you know in advance exactly what you receive.
With brokerage, do I work directly for the client?
Yes. With brokerage you conclude an agreement with the client yourself and invoice directly. With intermediation the contract runs through Maedium, but in practice you simply work at the client. We discuss in advance which form we use.
Can I choose which region or city I work in?
Yes. During the intake we discuss your preferences regarding region, travel distance and hybrid or on-site work. Much cloud work can be partly remote, which widens your reach. We look for assignments that also fit you in terms of location.
Does Maedium place outside the Randstad?
Maedium focuses on the Randstad: North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland, with Alkmaar as home base. Many assignments can be carried out partly hybrid, so even if you live just outside that region, a match can work well.