Functional Engineer Reporting

Purpose of the job

Design, develop, test, and implement IT solutions and processes in IT systems like applications, platforms and networks through IT changes, projects in line with global Information Technology (IT) and security guidelines, to support company business requirements to create company value.

1. The Functional Engineer in Application Delivery is responsible for detailing design and hardwiring business requirements as per Architectural and Security guidelines. This is done through projects, changes and increasingly more through Agile DevOps teams. This requires high quality Stories (change specifications) and projects changes which will allow Engineers and/or Developers to translate into code/configuration. The Functional Engineer sees to properly coordinate, review, approve and execute stories/project changes and has an active role monitoring status, in (unit)testing and change management once developed, including organizing sign-off after testing.
   The Functional Engineer has an active role in the preparation and execution of the actual changes together with our partners and external consultants where applicable.
   On request, a Functional Engineer can be asked to be involved in solving urgent high priority incidents and plays a role in process improvements alongside with business.
    
2. The Technical Engineer in IT Operations is responsible for detailing design and hardwiring business requirements as per Architectural and Security guidelines. This is done through projects, changes and increasingly more through Agile DevOps teams. This requires high quality stories (change specifications) and projects changes which will allow Engineers and or Developers to translate into code/configuration. The Technical Engineer is responsible for delivering high quality stories (change specifications) for Infrastructure teams to then execute as changes to our landscape (networks, servers / hosting, workplaces).
   The Technical Engineer has an active role in the preparation and execution of the actual changes together with our strategic partners and external consultants. He/she actively oversees work in progress, monitors status, and signs-off after testing. Other critical elements of the role are Incident Management and Process Improvement.
    

Depending on the domain and the progress of IT Fusion in our organization, the work is either done being part of the responsibilities in the line management organization, or in agile teams under the leadership of a Scrum Master, or in the case of a waterfall under the leadership of the Project Manager. Depending on the seniority of the Engineer, he/she will also assume these project management activities as a role or will take the lead in delivery of end-to-end changes. It is the intention that more and more work get done as part of the standing organization and no longer create a project for every single change that needs to be done.

The IT Engineer will participate in improving the way we manage our financials. This includes but is not limited to entering POs for everything that needs to be done before the work starts. Ensuring we have the right provisions in place that reflect the expected spend, even if invoices come in much later. Proper contract and supplier management needs to be executed to ensure that existing contracts are timely renewed given us enough time to see how we can improve/optimize the current conditions or to stop a current service or support.

Several times per quarter a short term, next 3 months, and a longer term, next quarters, forecast needs to be made or updated. For the next 3 months the target will be to have less than 5% deviations. We will ensure that proper KPIs are in place to measure the financial performance.

Key responsibilities

Story specification
Translate business requirements into clear detailed designs. Own and develop high quality Stories
(change specifications) and project changes for Engineers and External Consultants to then translate
into code or config and a proposal on a change implementation.

Development & delivery
Guide, coordinate and oversee the preparation and execution and implementation of the (project) changes and the development of the code/config of Stories. Ensure that all partners follow established standards (process- & documentation standards, coding and testing standards, naming conventions etc.). Review, Approve and control the implementation and/or embedding of new, enhancements and/or modifications of applications, systems and/or solutions.
This results in building sustainable and stable first-time right solutions in a very collaborate team spirit (also with external service providers) and in an engaging way with stakeholders and consumers of the solutions. Solutions are built according to the Architectural and Security principles and changes are timely & adequately prepared & documented and/or code works as intended.

Testing
Own testing of changes or stories, and/or actively oversee testing by business. Develop test scripts, examine test outcomes, sign off for unit testing and coordinate business sign off for Application
Delivery related testing. Contribute to test planning and test management for a specific release.
Resulting in, changes and/or code are properly and timely tested.

Incident management
Perform functional or technical problem analysis in case of incidents or issues as needed depending on the severity of the problem. Perform root cause analysis, document these and share findings.
Deploy (or oversee deployment) of updates and fixes. To ensure that issues, incidents, and problems are swiftly and effectively resolved.

Process management and improvement
Monitor, guard, test and analyze that the use and security of applications and systems regarding the functional and performance aspects are in line with the agreed performance indicators, and if necessary, take measures. Actively contribute to process improvement: e.g., tool development, dashboard/insight development and visualization, script automation. Has a good view of the technical state of the application (technical debt) and regularly discuss and works seamlessly together with the (domain)Architect to develop plans to resolve the technical debt.
Resulting in, available and optimally performing applications and IT infrastructure for the business and, DevOps process, tooling and dashboards are continuously improving.

Project support
Support a project manager by taking ownership of specific project deliverables (specifications, config, testing, etc.). Define, plan, manage and participate in assigned project deliverables from the own functional or technical domain, in accordance with the IT project manager and involved business project owners. Resulting in, efficient and effective realization of project deliverables.

Job requirements

Knowledge / technical expertise 
In dept knowledge is not limited to a sub domain but to a full domain. Has in-depth, advanced knowledge of complex applications, platforms and technologies and is able to oversee connections between applications and systems across domains and advises the business regarding innovative improvements. He/She is THE Process expert for his/her domain and has a good understanding of processes in other domains.
Participates mostly in larger multidisciplinary projects or programs larger than €500K. Can also run independently smaller projects as project manager till €500K or can play the role of a scrum master in an Agile team Fluent in agile & DevOps concepts.

Analysis
Draws conclusions based on complex analysis (e.g. scenario analysis), within domain and impacted other domains, proposes measures on optimizing strategic approaches and propose implementation plans, designs and approaches (including estimated implementation efforts) in alignment with Architects and impacts for business and other (sub)domains

Optimization
Initiates, formulates, and implements new processes and procedures for the functional discipline and contributes to policy development for the function.
Has led and completed a CI initiative (green belt)

Autonomy
Works independently on projects and major changes, within operational plans and policies; gives work instructions to and plans work for others. Acts as lead engineer in projects for specific domain or area and can translate requirement and architectural guidance in detailed designs.

Impact
Owns end-to-end technical change or Story specification, testing & deployment for a wide range of Functionality or Technicality and in complex environments.
Ensures proper testing & incident mgt complex and high impact/risk environments.
Aware of business developments and business needs and gives advice to translate business needs into functional and technical optimization of a group of applications and systems.

Experience
7-10 years of relevant work experience
Relevant Bachelor or Master degree
 

Become part of an outstanding company

AkzoNobel is consistently rated as one of the top employers in The Netherlands. You will join a company that is committed to achieving real sustainability. At a personal level you will also benefit from:

• A competitive salary with an above average number of annual holidays.
• Participation in the AkzoNobel pension plan.
• Travel expenses to and from work.
• Opportunities for education that will help you to grow beyond this role.

More information and how to apply

We welcome your online application via https://www.akzonobel.com/en/careers. Only online applications will be considered. If applicable, is essential that you have a visa that allows you to work in the Netherlands. If you have any questions, please contact Berber Wegener, Talent Acquisition Partner, TalentResourcing.NL@akzonobel.com.