IBM MQ Middleware Engineer

Tential Solutions; Annapolis (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM MQ Middleware Engineer sought for a hybrid role in Annapolis, MD. You will support and optimize the IBM MQ infrastructure across multiple data centers, collaborating with developers to implement robust messaging solutions.

The role requires hands-on MQ administration, Linux skills, and strong networking knowledge, with a hybrid onsite schedule and a focus on reliability, security, and automation.

Qualifications

• STEM degree required or advanced degree with corresponding experience.
• Hands-on experience with IBM MQ administration, configuration, troubleshooting, and deployment.
• Familiarity with Linux CLI, kernel parameters, debugging tools, and networking behaviors.
• Understanding of core networking concepts (firewalls, TCP/IP, routing, subnets).
• Proficiency with Linux distributions (RHEL, Ubuntu).
• Ability to troubleshoot complex distributed systems and work independently in cross-functional teams.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship; U.S. citizenship preferred.
• Hybrid (primarily onsite) work schedule at Annapolis Office.

Responsibilities

• Support, administer, and maintain IBM MQ infrastructure across environments and data centers.
• Configure and manage queue managers, channels, listeners, security objects, clustering, and MQ client connectivity.
• Ensure reliability through redundancy, RDQM, monitoring, and performance tuning.
• Implement certificates, TLS, and security policies across MQ and middleware.
• Collaborate with developers to design and integrate MQ-based messaging solutions.
• Develop scripts and automation for deployments, monitoring, and ops tasks.
• Plan, test, and implement MQ version upgrades and new features.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve messaging issues and bottlenecks.
• Ensure policy compliance, logging, and audit requirements.
• Perform backup and recovery for MQ objects and data.
• Contribute to runbooks, architecture diagrams, and SOPs.
• Occasional on-site hardware setup tasks (rack, cabling) with light lifting.

Skills

IBM MQ

Linux CLI

Networking basics

Scripting

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

NAS/SAN storage

Git

Job description

IBM MQ Middleware Engineer (Hybrid)

Our Connected Aviation (CA) Networks and Messaging Services support over 1,500 aviation customers, transmitting over 75 million messages per day across the Aviation community. We are seeking a senior-level Middleware Engineer specializing in IBM MQ to join the Messaging Application Engineering team. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and effective collaborator with broad experience in enterprise messaging systems. This individual must be an articulate problem solver who champions standardization, systematic design, reliability, and automation in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment.

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
• Ability 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
• Ability to support a hybrid (primarily onsite) schedule at the Annapolis Office

Qualifications 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
• Ability 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)