Job Summary
The IBM Middleware Administrator is responsible for the installation, configuration, administration, maintenance, monitoring, troubleshooting, patching, and upgrade of the IBM Middleware environment across Development, Test, UAT, Pre-Production, Disaster Recovery (DR), and Production environments.
The role provides operational support for IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS), IBM MQ, IBM App Connect Enterprise (ACE/IIB), IBM Managed File Transfer (MFT), and IBM DataPower Gateway, ensuring high availability, security, performance, and compliance with organizational standards and ITIL processes.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
1. WebSphere Application Server Administration
- Install IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) using IBM Installation Manager.
- Create and administer WAS Cells, Nodes, Profiles, and Clusters.
- Configure Java Application Server environments.
- Register and manage Windows Services for WAS instances.
- Perform server configuration, tuning, and troubleshooting.
- Support application deployment and middleware configuration activities.
2. IBM Middleware Administration
- Administer IBM MQ Queue Managers, Queues, Channels, Topics, Listeners, Subscriptions, and MQ Objects.
- Perform IBM ACE/IIB administration including Integration Nodes, Integration Servers, Execution Groups, and MQSI command operations.
- Administer IBM Managed File Transfer (MFT) components and file transfer agents.
- Configure and manage IBM DataPower Gateway services, domains, and security policies.
- Maintain middleware environments across Windows, Linux, and AIX platforms.
3. Installation, Patching & Upgrades
- Install middleware components using IBM Installation Manager.
- Apply product patches and fix packs.
- Perform version upgrades for IBM MQ, ACE/IIB, and WebSphere.
- Build and deploy BAR files across Development, Test, Pre-Production, and Production environments.
- Execute deployments during approved maintenance windows.
- Coordinate implementation activities through the organization's Change Management process.
4. Security & Certificate Management
- Renew and manage SSL/TLS certificates for IBM MQ, IBM ACE/IIB, and IBM DataPower Gateway.
- Perform Client Security Key (CSK) renewals.
- Ensure secure middleware communication.
- Coordinate certificate renewals to prevent service interruptions.
5. Monitoring & Health Checks
- Perform routine health checks for middleware components.
- Monitor Queue Managers, Brokers, Integration Flows, and Middleware Services.
- Monitor server performance, log files, CPU, memory, and disk utilization.
- Identify damaged queues and recreate middleware objects when required.
- Perform proactive monitoring and preventive maintenance activities.
6. High Availability & Disaster Recovery
- Administer High Availability (HA) and Standalone middleware environments.
- Support Queue Manager failover and recovery activities.
- Perform start/stop operations for middleware services.
- Participate in Disaster Recovery testing and validation.
- Ensure maximum availability of middleware services.
7. Incident Management & Troubleshooting
- Investigate and resolve incidents related to IBM MQ, ACE/IIB, MFT, DataPower, and WebSphere.
- Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring issues.
- Resolve messaging, integration, and connectivity issues.
- Validate APIs and middleware endpoints using Postman and SOAP UI.
- Work closely with application, infrastructure, network, and database teams for issue resolution.
8. Environment Support
- Support Development, Test, UAT, Pre-Production, Disaster Recovery, and Production environments.
- Maintain environment consistency and configuration standards.
- Ensure middleware services meet agreed service levels.
9. Change & Release Management
- Execute middleware changes following ITIL Change Management processes.
- Prepare implementation plans and rollback procedures.
- Participate in scheduled maintenance windows.
- Support release and deployment activities.
10. Documentation
- Maintain middleware documentation, SOPs, and operational procedures.
- Prepare technical documentation and knowledge articles.
- Document incident resolutions and Root Cause Analysis reports.
- Ensure documentation remains current and compliant with organizational standards.
Required Technical Skills
• IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS)
• IBM Installation Manager
• IBM MQ
• IBM App Connect Enterprise (ACE)
• IBM Integration Bus (IIB)
• IBM Managed File Transfer (MFT)
• IBM DataPower Gateway
• IBM MQ Explorer
• RFHUTIL
• IBM Tivoli Monitoring
• Windows Server Administration
• Linux Administration
• AIX Administration
• SSL/TLS Certificate Management
• Java Application Server Administration
• ServiceNow
• Git
• WinSCP
• PuTTY
• MRemoteNG
• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• Postman
• SOAP UI
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Relevant experience in IBM Middleware Administration.
- Experience supporting enterprise Production environments.
- Knowledge of ITIL processes is preferred.
- IBM Middleware certifications are desirable.
Key Competencies
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Excellent knowledge of IBM Middleware technologies.
- Experience in Production support and High Availability environments.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
- Good documentation and reporting skills.
- Ability to work during planned maintenance windows and provide on-call support when required.
Environment Coverage
The resource will provide administration and operational support across the following environments:
• Development (DEV)
• Testing (TEST)
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Pre-Production
• Disaster Recovery (DR)
• Production (PROD)