Middleware Software Engineer (NATS)

Apex Systems; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 193,000; Part time

Job summary

Everforth Apex is seeking a Middleware Software Engineer to design, implement, and secure messaging solutions on the NATS platform. You will build scalable, event-driven services for enterprise applications in cloud-native and hybrid environments.

The role requires 5+ years in software or distributed systems, hands-on NATS/JETSTREAM experience, and strong API design skills. A DoD Secret clearance may be required depending on assignment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering, middleware or distributed systems development.
• Hands-on experience implementing and supporting NATS messaging platforms in production.
• Experience with NATS JetStream, streaming, persistence, and clustering.
• Proficiency in Go (prefered) or Java/C++/Python.
• Experience with API development including REST, gRPC, or event-driven interfaces.
• Solid understanding of publish/subscribe, event-driven systems, SOA and microservices design.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and support middleware solutions using NATS and JetStream.
• Develop distributed, event-driven applications with robust messaging patterns.
• Secure and optimize messaging across cloud-native and hybrid environments.
• Create IaC, automation, monitoring, and observability for middleware deployments.
• Collaborate with platform, security, and infra teams to integrate messaging into enterprise apps.

Skills

Go

Java

C++

Python

NATS

NATS JetStream

Event-driven architecture

Microservices design

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

OpenShift

RKE2

REST APIs

gRPC

Job description

## Job Description# Middleware Software Engineer (NATS)Apply**Job#: 3055899****Job Description:**We are seeking a highly skilled **Middleware Software Engineer** to design, develop, secure, and maintain modern messaging and middleware solutions utilizing the **NATS messaging platform**. The successful candidate will play a critical role in developing scalable, event-driven architectures that enable secure, resilient, and high-performance communications across enterprise applications, cloud-native platforms, and mission-critical distributed systems.This role requires strong software engineering expertise, experience with middleware and messaging technologies, and a solid understanding of containerized environments and microservices architectures.Candidates must be able to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense Secret clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.**Key Responsibilities*** Design, develop, and support middleware solutions leveraging **NATS**, **NATS JetStream**, and related messaging technologies.* Develop and maintain distributed applications using event-driven and publish/subscribe architectures.* Design secure communication patterns for microservices operating within cloud-native and hybrid environments.* Implement messaging solutions that meet performance, scalability, reliability, and availability requirements.* Develop middleware APIs and integration services using modern programming languages.* Build and optimize message routing, streaming, persistence, and service discovery capabilities within NATS environments.* Troubleshoot and resolve complex messaging, connectivity, and performance issues across distributed systems.* Collaborate with software developers, platform engineers, cybersecurity teams, and infrastructure architects to integrate messaging services into enterprise applications.* Create automation scripts and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions for middleware deployment and management.* Develop monitoring, observability, and alerting solutions using industry-standard tools.* Support DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated deployment workflows.* Participate in architecture reviews and provide technical leadership on messaging and middleware strategies.* Develop and maintain technical documentation, standards, and operational procedures.**Required Qualifications**Technical Experience* 5+ years of experience in software engineering, middleware engineering, or distributed systems development.* Hands-on experience implementing and supporting **NATS** messaging platforms in production environments.* Experience with **NATS JetStream**, message streaming, persistence, and clustering.* Strong experience developing software using: + Go (preferred) + Java + C++ + Python* Experience with API development including REST, gRPC, or event-driven interfaces.* Strong understanding of: + Publish/Subscribe architectures + Request/Reply messaging patterns + Event-driven systems + Service-oriented architectures (SOA) + Microservices design principles* Experience deploying and supporting containerized workloads using: + Kubernetes + Docker + OpenShift + RKE2 (preferred) *Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.**Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy**Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.**Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.**If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [e-mail] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.**UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.***Employee Type:** Contract**Location:** Manassas, VA, US**Job Type:****Date Posted:** October 23, 2026**Pay Range:** $80 - $140 per hour