Lead Middleware Engineer

Job Title: Lead Middleware Engineer

Location: USA
Employment Type: Full-Time

About this Role

Responsible for end‑to‑end migration of IBM MQ Queue Managers from Heritage data centers to Next Generation Data Center (NGDC). Owns planning, build, migration execution, cutover, validation, and post‑migration closure in alignment with Wells Fargo standards, security, and observability requirements.

In this Role, You Will:

Planning & Assessment

• Intake and assessment of middleware inventory, configurations, versions, and dependencies
• Define migration approach, wave sequencing, risks, and rollback strategies
• Identify application, HA/DR, and environment‑specific dependencies

Design & Configuration

• Design and configure middleware components per enterprise and BFS build standards
• Perform IBM MQ design and configuration (Queue Managers, channels, listeners, HA/DR)
• Support load balancer integration and configuration for middleware traffic
• Configure security artifacts including SSL/TLS certificates and access controls
• Enable automation and observability integrations (IR360, OTEL, Instana or equivalent)

Migration Execution

• Execute middleware migrations from Heritage → NGDC using approved approaches
• Monitor migration jobs, remediate failures, and validate configuration/object synchronization
• Ensure service continuity, message/data integrity, and minimal downtime

Cutover & Validation

• Support production and pre‑production cutover activities and HA/DR failover drills
• Perform post‑migration health checks (service status, queue depth, connectivity, performance)
• Validate application connectivity and obtain functional sign‑off from stakeholders

Post‑Migration & Decommissioning

• Update CMDB, compliance, and operational documentation
• Deliver build scripts, migration reports, and execution metrics
• Close Jira stories and ServiceNow change/incidents
• Support legacy middleware decommissioning and handover to steady‑state teams

Required Qualifications:

·       IBM MQ (Design, Configuration, HA/DR, Security)

·       Java / J2EE fundamentals (middleware integration and troubleshooting)

·       Load Balancer design and configuration (F5 or equivalent)

·       Middleware design, build, and configuration in enterprise environments

·       Datacenter Migration / DC Exit / DC Refresh programs

·       Security (SSL/TLS, certificates), observability, and monitoring

·       ServiceNow, Jira, CMDB processes

·       Experience in regulated BFS environments

·       8–12+ years of experience in enterprise middleware support, build, and datacenter migration programs.
• Strong understanding of middleware architecture, design, and configuration in large‑scale enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve middleware issues during migration, cutover, and post‑migration phases.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with:
o IBM MQ (Queue Managers, queues, channels, listeners, HA/DR, security)
o Java / J2EE fundamentals for middleware integration and issue analysis
o Load Balancers (F5 or equivalent) – design, configuration, and traffic routing
o SSL/TLS certificates, keystores, and enterprise security standards
• Strong understanding of HA/DR concepts, failover testing, and production cutover practices.
• Experience working in regulated BFS environments with strict governance and compliance requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with ServiceNow, Jira, and CMDB updates during migration programs.
• Exposure to observability and monitoring tools (IR360, OTEL, Instana or equivalent) is a plus.
• Automation or scripting exposure (Shell, Python, Ansible) is a plus.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder coordination skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with an initiative-taking approach to issue resolution.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a demanding environment.
• Experience in major incident management and crisis handling.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools and packet capture technologies (e.g., Sniffer, Infinistream).
• Knowledge of automation and scripting for network operations (Python, Ansible).
• Strong vendor management and escalation handling skills.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Excellent documentation and reporting skills for operational transparency.

Work Environment & Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Model: Combination of on-site and remote work, depending on business needs.
• Collaborative Culture: Work closely with cross-functional teams, vendors, and senior leadership.
• Professional Development: Access to training programs, certifications, and career advancement opportunities.
• Global Impact: Support a mission-critical network infrastructure serving millions of customers worldwide.