Lead Systems Engineer (Remote)

Resp & Qualifications

PURPOSE:

This position is responsible for configuring and maintaining Middleware environments, primarily WebSphere Application Server and Tomcat, with responsibility for the installation, system administration, tuning, disaster recovery, monitoring, audit, problem resolution, and license management.  The Engineer will be responsible for a computing environment encompassing multiple software and hardware solutions in a scalable and highly available infrastructure, and administration on multiple cloud platforms (Azure & AWS). 

The position requires strong verbal and written communication skills. It requires the ability to multi-task effectively, supporting multiple products, running projects, and troubleshooting seamlessly.  It requires an understanding of how the middleware technologies interact with and rely on the operating systems and other supporting infrastructure such as databases, storage, network, and firewalls.  Candidate requires strong troubleshooting, project management, and effective communication skills to collaborate with other technical teams, clients, and vendors on complex application and infrastructure designs across multiple internal and external tiers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the general direction of the Manager, Middleware Services, the incumbent's accountabilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Middleware Administration
  • Design, build, implement, migrate, and maintain WAS and Tomcat environments from on premise to Azure.
  • Support Facets Integrated and Standalone Pricer configurations and troubleshooting across multiple middleware platforms.
  • Establish and enforce best practices for WAS and Tomcat including deployment patterns, sizing, etc. to maintain a highly available environment.
  • Cross platform troubleshooting between middleware platforms.
  • Patch and upgrade middleware systems and connected components on a consistent basis.
  • Implement best practice monitoring and alerting in new and existing environments.
  • Review alerts and dashboards for accuracy and effectiveness.
  • Integrate with various DevOps tools, including Azure DevOps to establish an appropriate environment lifecycle pattern.
  • Create and support ongoing Infrastructure as Code efforts to be able to recreate or upgrade an environment on demand.
  • Will be responsible for cross training team members on new technologies and designs.
  • Familiarity with Dynatrace and Splunk.
  • Design supporting tools for deployments, monitoring, reporting, and other supporting features as needed.
  • Familiar with Agile Methodology.
  • Familiarity with TIBCO, Pega, Axway ST, or other Middleware technologies a bonus.
• Middleware Cloud Administration
  • Experience with Kubernetes on AKS.  
  • Support integration between K8S and the legacy technologies.
  • Provide support for related K8S components, including Istio, Nginx ingress, and fluentbit.
• Project Management
  • Will be expected to lead upgrading and migration efforts.
  • Expected to maintain timeline and milestone requirements.
  • Coordinate internally and across multiple teams to ensure work is completed.

SCOPE DATA:

• The Middleware Services team is responsible for software components supporting five thousand internal business clients, four million members, and sixty thousand providers across 24 CareFirst locations.
• Responsible for support of infrastructure used for business mission critical applications including Claims Processing, Enrollment, Financial, and Corporate websites and 250+ other applications.
• Assists application developers and other clients with environment creation, application deployments, identification and resolution of problems related to supported middleware technologies.  Will help provide 24x7 on-call schedule to provide off-hour support. 
• Will be responsible for installation, configuration, and optimization of Kubernetes environments in both AKS and AWS(TKGI), along with Nginx ingress, Istio, and other K8S components as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Leads a team utilizing a matrix management system.

 This position is subject to level 6C security requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or Computer Science OR in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Experience: 8 years proven success overseeing the design, development, and implementation of software systems and applications.


Preferred Qualifications:

• Middleware –WebSphere Application Server and Liberty, TIBCO Business Works and Business Connect, Apache, IBM MQ, Active MQ, Tomcat.
• Familiarity with Facets configurations and troubleshooting, including installation and operations of pricing and broadcasting. 
• Cloud Platforms – Kubernetes, Nginx, Istio, AKS, TKGI, Azure, and AWS.
• DevOps – Azure DevOps, Jira, Jira Align, Subversion, GIT, Ansible, Jenkins, VS Code, Bitbucket.
• Programming – Python, Java, YAML, JSON.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge of programming languages and web based technologies.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to collaborate to solve technical problems across teams.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

Licenses/Certifications: ITIL Foundations v3  within 180 Days Preferred.

 

Department

Department:Middleware Services

Equal Employment Opportunity

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer.  It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Hire Range Disclaimer

Actual salary will be based on relevant job experience and work history.

Where To Apply

Please visit our website to apply: www.carefirst.com/careers

Federal Disc/Physical Demand

Note:  The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position.  Occasional walking or standing is required.  The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects.  The associate must frequently talk and hear.  Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.

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