Project

The Federal Police is undertaking an ambitious digital and organizational transformation. Within the Digital Transformation Office (DTO), we are contributing to more modern processes, stronger operational support, and more data-driven services. Through the pillars of IT, innovation, and intelligence/data, we are working on stable foundations, future-oriented technologies, and better support for field services. Do you want to make an impact in an environment where digitalization, legacy modernization, and social relevance converge?

The assignment consists of setting up and managing an event-driven data architecture, utilizing Apache Kafka as a buffering and processing layer, and Elasticsearch as a datalake solution for structured and unstructured data.

The focus is on setting up performant Kafka and Elastic stacks (schema management, topic management, indexing strategies), and ensuring data consistency, scalability, and observability throughout the entire process from data ingestion to data consumption.

The candidate designs, implements, and documents the necessary components, makes the data available via a data service layer (REST APIs, microservices), and ensures error handling and optimization of the entire pipeline.

Mission

For this assignment, we are looking for an experienced data engineer with a focus on event-driven systems and real-time data integration, with thorough knowledge of Apache Kafka (Streams, Connect, Schema Registry, Avro, ksqlDB) and Elasticsearch (including Kibana, ingest pipelines, index lifecycle management).

The assignment requires setting up a data service layer (REST APIs, microservices) that makes data from Elasticsearch available for analysis, monitoring, or integration with other systems, as well as experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and Openshift for component deployment.

The candidate ensures data consistency and scalability throughout the entire process from data ingestion to data consumption, and is responsible for observability, error handling, and optimization via CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI) and Python scripting.

Soft skills

Methodical and precise in work
Working accurately is essential for ensuring data consistency and scalability within the Kafka and Elastic architecture.

Autonomy and initiative
The candidate can work independently, propose solutions, and adapt quickly to changes in the situation.

Documenting the work performed
The analyses, pipelines, schemas, configurations, and technical choices made must be documented clearly, in a structured and transferable way (reports, documentation).

Good communication
The candidate has strong written and verbal communication skills and can participate smoothly in meetings with specialists and user representatives.

Ability to work in a team, flexible working hours
The candidate can set priorities within a complex environment with multiple data pipelines, processes, and technical dependencies, and has the necessary flexibility in working hours.

Client-oriented and solution-oriented attitude
The candidate is stress-resistant, creative, constructive, and solution-oriented, and works with attention to the needs of the users.

Practical

• Desired start date: 1 September 2026
• Duration: until the end of 2026 (extendable)
• Regime: full-time
• Main address: Koningsstraat, 202 A – 1000 Brussels
• Work arrangement: minimum 2 days/week presence in the office, depending on tasks and agreements with the team; telework allowed at domicile address or employer address (Belgium)
• Team: multidisciplinary, mix of internal and external employees