Description
Job description: solution architect ESB
Background:
You will be part of a CRM Transformation program, where the company is replacing SAP CRM with SFDC. This transformation is built around 3 releases and will take approx. 15 months.
These are the activities in scope of the program:
Salesforce implementation: Sales Cloud, Service Cloud and Exact Target Marketing Cloud
Cloudsense implementation
Migration: design and implementation of the migration tools and migration of the customer data
Integration between the Salesforce solution and the other applications of EDF Luminus landscape. Most of the integrations will go via the ESB (IBM IIB, BPM and BAM).
BI: implementation of operational and analytical reports on Salesforce platform
The ESB implementation will be done with an implementation partner, but you will be the EDFL solution challenger and guard for ESB, empowered by the IT overall Architect and the ESB application manager. It means that you will have a dotted reporting line towards the application manager (in the operations organization of EDFL) for application related topics and a reporting line towards architecture (through the IT overall architect on the project) for architectural related topics.
Job description:
Thinks big picture regarding business scope and technical solutions, but can easily drill down into the detailed solution if required by the complexity of the solution or as an 'EDFL challenger' of the solution. Working closely together with business product owners, business analyst and solution architects on the project (for other technologies).
Clearly delineate the responsibilities of each solution component and layer. Clearly identifies what part of the scope is provided by which component as per the application framework design (delivered by architecture). Makes sure that in case of bugs, these are resolved in the right component and layer.
Works closely together with the solution architects of the other teams because the project is hitting some other technologies. In a first phase this will be with SFDC, Sitecore (CMS solution) and BI. In a next release, there will be heavy integrations with SAP ISU as well.
Ensures a pragmatic balance between the project goals and deadlines and the overall IT goals. Ensures compliance of the solution with the overall IT goals
Security
Total cost of ownership
Application roadmap
Ensures the solution design provides the best TCO in the long run by focusing on:
Future proof technical data model = what is possible, not just what is asked for today
Force to use 'out-of-the-box' functionalities rather than custom developments.
Challenge technical analysts & developers
In general, you are in a 'challenging' role, meaning that the project wants to maximize its ROI (dare to challenge requirements with the product owners & overall business analyst to not always go for the 'perfection' if this is too expensive).
Eliciting and documenting non-functional requirements so they can be used to make the right architectural decisions.
Documenting these architectural decisions required to realize the non-functional requirements, such as:
Performance
Scalability
Supportability
Maintainability
Reusability
You are 'empowered' in your role by the 'application manager' to focus on these aspects. So, you will have a 'dotted' reporting line towards the application manager in the 'operations' organization of EDFL.
Design of key technical artifacts before start of development or ensure that the artifacts are designed in the correct way by the supplier.
Ensures all developments have been executed according to the design/guidelines. This includes the SOA Governance guidelines, the SOA Reference Architecture and the Data & Process Governance, which have been clearly defined by EDFL.
Continuously review, and if needed, make sure that the design is adapted, as analysis and developments are executed.
Align closely with the 'overall IT Architect' on the project:
Proper usage of each application
Proper solution for validation, taking into account security requirements.
Support the knowledge transfer to operational and security teams. Ongoing check with the application manager on the quality of documentation delivered.
Support the project steering layer in shaping the scope and the planning of the releases of the project:
Product backlog development
Preparation of the user stories for assessment
Ensure design topics are clarified
Perform architectural pre-analysis and research
Challenge the supplier on his effort estimations
Play an active role in the planning of user stories (on the project steering level) considering functional and technical dependencies.
We are looking for a 'hands-on', full time person, meaning that in times of less work, the person is actively picking up some 'build' work in the team as well.
Analytical skills
Interface design
Business and Technical process design
Logical and technical Datamodelling
Strong software architectural skills
Technological skills
Modelling, database and messages
Good understanding of infrastructure aspects of a distributed system
Deep knowledge of IBM ESB products mainly IIB, BPM and BAM.
Experience with cloud integrations and on premise.
Proven experience with agile development methodologies is an asset.
Continuous Integration experience is an asset.
Soft skills
Team player
Leadership skills
Dare to challenge (the SFDC supplier on his effort estimations and solution designs)
Communication skills (towards application mgr, steering layer, and agile team)
Languages: English (and additionally Dutch or French)
Experience: approx. 10 years of experience in this enterprise context