IBM MQ Middleware Engineer

Primary Responsibilities

• Support, administrate, and maintain IBM MQ enterprise messaging infrastructure across multiple environments and data centers
• Configure, deploy, and manage queue managers, channels, listeners, security objects, clustering, and MQ client connectivity
• Ensure messaging reliability through redundancy design, RDQM configuration, monitoring, and performance tuning
• Implement and manage certificates, TLS configurations, and security policies across MQ and middleware systems
• Work closely with application developers and cross-functional teams to design and integrate MQ-based messaging solutions
• Develop and maintain scripts and automation for deployments, monitoring, and operational tasks
• Plan, test, and implement version upgrades, fix packs, and new MQ features
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve messaging issues, connectivity failures, and performance bottlenecks
• Ensure compliance with security policies, logging requirements, and audit standards
• Perform backup and recovery procedures for MQ objects, configurations, and data
• Collaborate on documentation, runbooks, architecture diagrams, and standard operating procedures
• Participate in some on-site infrastructure-related tasks such as racking devices, cabling, or provisioning new MQ hardware components (40 lbs lift capability)

Qualifications

• You Must Have:
• Typically requires a STEM degree and 3 years of relevant experience; or an Advanced Degree and 2 years of experience; or in absence of a degree, 7 years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience working with IBM MQ (administration, configuration, troubleshooting, deployment)
• Familiarity with Linux CLI, kernel parameters, debugging tools, and networking stack behaviors
• Working knowledge of core networking concepts including firewalls, routing, TCP/IP, and subnetting
• Proficiency with multiple Linux distributions such as RHEL and Ubuntu
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, and connectivity issues across complex distributed systems
• Comfortable working independently and in cross-functional global teams, including occasional off-hours support
• Able to multitask, prioritize workloads, and manage competing deadlines
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Able to support a hybrid (primarily onsite) schedule at the Annapolis Office
• We Prefer:
• Advanced expertise with IBM MQ (HA/DR, RDQM, AMS, MQ clusters)
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and messaging containerization
• Experience with NAS/SAN storage appliances (TrueNAS, FreeNAS) including iSCSI protocols
• Ability to develop shell scripts and automation utilities
• Able to support a 24×7 rotating on-call schedule
• Occasional travel, as needed, less than 20 days per year
• Experience with Configuration Management Systems (Git preferred)