Jay Sen, Director Of Data Engineering At PayPal On Data Mesh, Data As A Product & Scaling Enterprise Data

In this Discover Dialogues episode, host Vikramsinh Ghatge, Sr. Marketing Director and EIC at TechDogs sits down with Jay Sen, Director of Data Engineering at PayPal, to explore one of the most pressing questions in enterprise technology today: How do you scale data in a way that’s usable, reliable, and truly business-driven?

Jay’s journey is one that mirrors the evolution of the enterprise data landscape itself. From his early days working with Hadoop clusters to leading teams that power data systems at PayPal, Jay has seen first-hand how the industry has moved beyond infrastructure into a new era of data as a product.

The episode begins with Jay sharing his professional journey, setting the stage for a candid discussion on the realities of data engineering. He explains why organizations can no longer think of data as a pipeline or a static warehouse but instead must treat it as a living product—something that requires ownership, quality standards, and discoverability.

One of the highlights of the conversation is Jay’s deep dive into Data Mesh. He addresses the misconceptions surrounding the framework, outlining how it goes far beyond a tech trend to become a genuine solution for scaling data across large, distributed enterprises. At PayPal, Data Mesh isn’t just a concept—it’s a practice. Jay shares how the company applied its principles to solve real business challenges, from governance to real-time data access.

Of course, no transformation is without hurdles. Jay speaks openly about the internal challenges—both technical and cultural—that organizations face when trying to implement new data paradigms. From building trust between data producers and consumers to aligning cross-functional teams, the episode sheds light on the hidden obstacles that can derail even the best strategies.

For data leaders and practitioners, the most actionable part of the episode comes when Jay offers practical advice. His guidance focuses on how to:
 

• Rethink metrics beyond traditional performance indicators

• Balance governance with agility

• Empower teams to take real ownership of their data domains

• Build future-ready strategies that stay relevant as technology evolves

By the end of the episode, listeners will have a clear understanding of what it really takes to move from data lakes and warehouses to a Data Mesh mindset. More importantly, they’ll leave with strategies to apply in their own organizations—whether they’re just starting their data modernization journey or scaling established ecosystems.

This conversation is not just about technology; it’s about leadership, culture, and the future of data. Jay Sen provides a masterclass in thinking beyond buzzwords to focus on building systems that actually deliver value.

About Jay Sen

Jay Sen is the Director of Data Engineering at PayPal, where he leads initiatives to modernize and scale enterprise data systems that power one of the world’s largest digital payments platforms. With over a decade of experience spanning Hadoop clusters, cloud-native architectures, and advanced data governance, Jay has been at the forefront of transforming how enterprises treat data as a product. His work focuses on building resilient, discoverable, and business-aligned data ecosystems—bridging the gap between technology and organizational culture. Known for his practical insights and leadership in applying frameworks like Data Mesh, Jay continues to shape how global enterprises unlock the real value of their data.

Read, Watch & Listen: Explore the full episode and discover how PayPal is setting benchmarks for enterprise data transformations on Discover Dialogues by TechDogs.