Middleware Platform Engineer

Co-operative Bank plc; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading ethical bank as a Middleware Platform Engineer in Manchester. You will oversee middleware operations, implement the Middleware Roadmap, and collaborate with third-party teams. Enjoy a hybrid working environment with flexible options, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

27 days holiday, rising to 30 with service

Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution

Income protection and life assurance

Wellbeing support including mental health services

Two paid volunteering days per year

Discounts through ‘MyReward’

Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise middleware technologies.
• Proven track record in governance and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of the Bank’s Middleware Roadmap.
• Manage middleware designs within governance framework.
• Support middleware operations and Major Incident management.

Skills

Communication

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Tools

Apache Tomcat

JBoss

IBM WAS

IBM MQ

IBM Connect:Direct

SQL Databases

Job description

Middleware Platform Engineer

Band/Salary CR3 / Up to £63,500

Remote / Hybrid: Remote first with occasional travel to Manchester when required

We promote a hybrid working environment, which means you will work at our office in Manchester roughly once a week and then remotely from home. To enable you to work from home, you will need a suitable office setup which includes a desk and a chair in a quiet, interruption-free space.

The role:

As the platform engineer for Middleware, you will be responsible for day-to-day operations. You will oversee the implementation of the Bank’s Middleware Roadmap, provide architectural design and technical leadership, manage middleware designs within the Bank’s governance framework, and collaborate with third-party build and service teams to ensure high standards. You will also support middleware operations, including Risk and Lifecycle Management, and contribute to Major Incident management.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Produce middleware infrastructure design documentation based on solution architecture for third-party implementation.
2. Contribute to infrastructure solution frameworks and patterns, considering external market and supplier options for value and service quality.
3. Lead third parties in designing product integration for existing and new solutions.
4. Coordinate with Project Managers and third-party build teams to ensure high-quality, compliant solutions.
5. Assist in transitioning new middleware technologies from design to production with minimal service disruption.
6. Serve as a point of contact for Major Incidents, providing expertise and support to manage incidents effectively.
7. Identify and resolve root causes with suppliers to prevent reoccurrences.
8. Act as a center of expertise and provide consultancy across IT teams and suppliers.
9. Promote and implement continuous service improvements within the team and organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

1. Experience with enterprise middleware technologies such as Apache Tomcat, JBoss, IBM WAS, IBM MQ, IBM Connect:Direct, and SQL Databases.
2. Experience managing services within complex, third-party managed environments.
3. Proven track record in governance, architecture, design, project change, and service delivery in large enterprises.
4. Ability to lead significant change and process improvements.
5. Expertise in infrastructure solution design and process optimization leading to efficiency and financial benefits.
6. Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels of management and external partners.
7. Strong interpersonal skills with a proactive, collaborative approach.
8. Good analytical, conceptual, and documentation skills.

What You Can Expect From Us:

• Flexible and home working options
• 27 days holiday, rising to 30 with service, plus options to buy 5 extra days
• Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
• Income protection and life assurance
• Commitment to learning and development
• Wellbeing support including mental health and physiotherapy services
• Two paid volunteering days per year
• Discounts through ‘MyReward’ and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Family-friendly policies and a diverse, inclusive environment

Join us in making a difference

At The Co-operative Bank, our values and ethics guide us. We’re proud of our ethical policy, supporting justice and societal causes. Join us to help drive positive environmental and societal change as part of the UK’s original ethical bank.

We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.

Our Bank is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, enabling all colleagues to reach their potential.

Note: The Bank is part of the Coventry Building Society Group, sharing values and an ethical approach.

For more information or alternative formats, contact [e-mail].

Offers are subject to background checks, including criminal and financial checks, as regulated by the FCA.

*Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 11.2 as of 14 January 2025.