Job Application

Our client is looking for an experienced Data Mesh/Data Product Expert.

Mission Description:

Today, our client is confronted with the evolution of the energy landscape (integration of renewable energy and decentralized production, arrival of new players on the market, closure of central production units, arrival of batteries, EV, CRM, CEP, etc.) and the possibilities of digitalization (automation, AI, remote monitoring,...) combined with the great ambitions of the main activities (support electrification, integration flexibility, manage congestion, ...).

Data plays a key role in supporting these evolutions: more and more, data is an enabler for the decision-making process (operational, tactical, strategic). The customer wants to fully commit to making this data available according to the "FAIR" principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), both for people and for systems and has been inspired by the DataMesh approach.

The customer wants to fully commit to:

• Setting up Data Domains: all data is assigned to a domain, to which a Data Owner is assigned. The Data Owner then becomes accountable for the data in their domain. They are supported by the Data Steward, who is responsible for monitoring data quality, among other things;
• The switch from IT-led Data Products to Business Led Data Products: the responsibility for high-quality and timely delivery of Data Products will lie with business. The elaboration of the Data Products is then done by multidisciplinary (business and IT) teams. In these teams, the Data Product Owner and the Data Engineers of the Data Chapter play a crucial role.
• Extensive training and coaching;
• Governance of it all;

The entire set-up must be supported by a solid technological foundation - the Data Platform.

During the implementation of the data strategy, two first crucial steps were taken:

• A Data Strategy was drawn up and validated at C-level;
• A number of pilot Data Products were identified per management;

The customer now wants to start fully implementing this pilot Data Products for which the necessary support is being sought.

Service description:

The transition to a Business Led Data Product Organization is a major change that requires good support from both the Business and IT teams. To manage this change, the customer is looking for a DataProduct/DataMesh Expert - a technically-oriented profile who has extensive experience in setting up/developing such a set-up.

The main tasks of the Data Product/Data Mesh expert will consist of defining:

• Data Product Contract (templates) and its concrete application for the pilots, in close collaboration with the IT teams;
• Data Platform Service requirements for the implementation of the pilot Data Products;
• Data Platform Service requirements for interactive querying of the Data Products;
• A Data Catalog and the minimum required metadata in close collaboration with the IT teams;
• A Workflow for onboarding new Data Products;
• The orchestration between the Data Products;
• Integration of Master Data Management;

In addition, we expect the Data Product/Data Mesh expert to help the business teams with:

• Understanding the "best practices" when setting up a Data Platform in terms of:
  • Standardization (eg: setting up configurable DataOps pipelines that can @runtime retrieve information from a code repository, setting up a data quality framework, central monitoring services, etc.);
  • Drafting Data Access Policies;
• The development of a realistic phased approach in which the first results are quickly visible;
• Managing and implementing all data governance best practices;

Additional requirements:

Necessary:

• Experience as a (lead) Data Platform expert in the implementation of a Data Mesh oriented set-up in at least 2 organizations - at least on a technological level, but preferably also on an organizational level;
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with at least one technology stack for setting up a Data Platform that supports the implementation of Business Led Data Products (eg: the Microsoft stack within Azure with products such as DataBricks, Azure Purview, Data Factory, ...)
• Knowledge of Domain Driven Design principles;
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in setting up DataOps Pipelines, Data Contracts, Data Catalog, Workflow for onboarding Data Products, Data Product orchestration, ...

An Advantage:

• You are familiar with the electricity sector or you are able to quickly gain insight into this sector and the underlying concepts.
• You are proactive and have a sense of responsibility.
• You have a hands-on mentality.
• With your communication skills, you will make workshops run smoothly, taking on a leadership role if necessary.
• You enjoy working with others and you are a team player.
• You have great powers of persuasion.

Languages:

You are fluent in Dutch and/or French and you have a good command of English

Location:

Hybrid role, 3 days per week can be remote with 2 days per week required onsite in Brussels Belgium, ideally candidates will already be based in Belgium.