Solution Middleware Architect

Smartedge Solutions; Houghton-le-Spring; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Smartedge Solutions is seeking an experienced Middleware Architect to design high-level middleware and integration solutions, and to shape the technology roadmap.

You will work with Delivery, Engineering and Operations to ensure performance, scalability, security and recoverability, and translate non-functional requirements into observable architectures.

Candidates will evaluate new technologies, manage end-of-support risks and promote automation and standardisation across platforms.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of how performance and availability are delivered by tech solutions.
• Proven experience designing middleware and integration solutions with depth in relevant technologies.
• Translate non-functional requirements into resilient, scalable architecture designs.
• Experience developing technology roadmaps addressing end-of-support risks and modernization.
• Strong security-by-design principles, architectural standards and risk management.
• Identify automation opportunities and reusable design patterns.

Responsibilities

• Produce High Level Designs for Middleware architecture solutions.
• Maintain the technology roadmap for Middleware related technologies in line with end of support dates.
• Work closely with cross functional teams including Delivery, Engineering and Operations.
• Ensure that new solutions conform to policies and standards and meet defined non-functional requirements for performance, scalability, availability, security and manageability.
• Identify, assess and communicate technical risks to the Business and Operations.
• Evaluate products for project and future usage and take responsibility for trialling new technologies.

Skills

Middleware architecture

Non-functional requirements

Stakeholder communication

Automation patterns

Platform standardisation

Tools

IBM MQ

IBM Workload Scheduler

GoAnywhere

Apache Tomcat

Job description

Job Description :

• Produce High Level Designs for Middleware architecture solutions.


• Maintain the technology roadmap for Middleware related technologies in line with end of support dates.


• Work closely with cross functional teams including Delivery, Engineering and Operations.


• Ensure that new solutions conform to policies and standards and meet defined non-functional requirements for performance, scalability, availability, security and manageability.


• Identify, assess and communicate technical risks to the Business and Operations.


• Evaluate products for project and future usage and take responsibility for trialling new technologies.

Essential:

• A clear understanding of how non-functional requirements such as performance and availability are delivered by a technology solution.


• Proven experience designing middleware and integration solutions, with technical depth in one or more relevant technologies.


• Ability to translate non-functional requirements into resilient, scalable, recoverable and observable architecture designs.


• Experience developing technology roadmaps that address end-of-support risks, technical debt and modernisation priorities.


• Strong understanding of security-by-design principles, architectural standards and technical risk management.


• Ability to identify opportunities for automation, reusable design patterns and platform standardisation.


• Strong stakeholder communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, translating technical decisions into clear business outcomes and actionable delivery requirements.

Desirable:

• Experience with one or more relevant technologies, such as IBM MQ, SWIFT, IBM Workload Scheduler, GoAnywhere or Apache Tomcat.


• Experience working in payments, financial services or other regulated, high-availability environments.


• Familiarity with Linux platforms, containerisation and cloud or hybrid-cloud architectures.


• Exposure to infrastructure as code, configuration automation and CI/CD practices.


• Knowledge of PKI, certificate lifecycle management and secure file transfer.


• Experience evaluating emerging technologies and vendors through structured assessments or proofs of concept.


• A recognised architecture qualification, such as TOGAF certification, with experience applying architectural frameworks to solution design and governance.


• Continually look at the market and competition to identify trends and new technologies that will benefit the company.


• Identify areas for continuous improvement and provide thoughtful and sustainable solutions.


• Be skilled at explaining technical problems succinctly and clearly.


• Be able to communicate your vision and roadmap effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders.


• Always look for potential solutions to solve problems