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Middleware Manager Jobs in Naperville, IL (NOW HIRING)

Strong knowledge and experience in managing environments with WAS/JBOSS platforms and Distributed ... middleware on Windows * Exceptionally Strong communication skills ( oral / written skills) with ...

Strong knowledge and experience in managing environments with WAS/JBOSS platforms and Distributed ... middleware on Windows * Exceptionally Strong communication skills ( oral / written skills) with ...

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Middleware Manager information

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$87

How much do middleware manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for middleware manager in Naperville, IL is $61.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.11 and $73.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a middleware manager?

Middleware Managers are IT professionals responsible for overseeing the implementation, maintenance, and performance of middleware software within an organization. Middleware refers to software that connects different applications, services, or databases, enabling them to communicate and share data efficiently. Middleware Managers ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of these systems, and often lead teams in troubleshooting and optimizing middleware solutions. Their role is critical in supporting business operations that rely on integrated software environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a middleware manager?

To thrive as a Middleware Manager, you need a deep understanding of middleware technologies, integration architectures, and enterprise IT systems, often supported by a degree in computer science or information technology. Familiarity with middleware platforms such as IBM WebSphere, Oracle Fusion, or Red Hat JBoss, as well as ITIL certification and experience with monitoring tools, is commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential to manage teams and collaborate across departments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring seamless system integration, high availability, and efficient operations in complex IT environments.

How does a middleware manager typically collaborate with development and operations teams?

A Middleware Manager acts as a bridge between development and operations teams, ensuring seamless integration, deployment, and performance of middleware solutions. They coordinate with developers to understand application requirements and with operations to manage infrastructure, troubleshoot issues, and optimize system performance. Effective collaboration often involves regular meetings, documentation, and incident resolution, enabling all teams to align on project goals and maintain reliable application environments.

What is the difference between Middleware Manager vs Middleware Engineer?

AspectMiddleware ManagerMiddleware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; often some management certificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, oversees middleware systemsDevelops, implements, and maintains middleware solutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations with large IT infrastructures, enterprise environmentsUsed in IT departments for system integration and application support
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesTechnical skills, development tasks, system configuration

The Middleware Manager focuses on overseeing middleware systems, managing teams, and ensuring project delivery, while the Middleware Engineer is primarily responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining middleware solutions. Both roles require technical knowledge, but the manager also emphasizes leadership and strategic planning within enterprise environments.

What skills are needed to manage a middleware manager?

A middleware manager needs strong technical skills in middleware platforms such as WebSphere, WebLogic, or MuleSoft, along with knowledge of networking, security, and database integration. Leadership, project management, and communication skills are essential for coordinating teams and stakeholders. Familiarity with scripting, troubleshooting, and relevant certifications can also enhance effectiveness in this role.

What are popular job titles related to Middleware Manager jobs in Naperville, IL?

For Middleware Manager jobs in Naperville, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Middleware Manager jobs in Naperville, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Middleware Manager jobs in Naperville, IL are:

What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Middleware Manager jobs?

Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Middleware Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Middleware Manager job openings in Naperville, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,605 per year, or $61.8 per hour.

Middleware Messaging Engineer

Judge Group, Inc.

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$60 - $75/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Location: Chicago, IL Salary: $60.00 USD Hourly - $75.00 USD Hourly Description:
Senior Middleware Messaging & Platform Engineer
Job Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Middleware Messaging & Platform Engineer to join our Infrastructure Engineering team. This role is responsible for the design, administration, automation, security, and modernization of enterprise messaging and middleware platforms supporting mission-critical business applications.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in IBM MQ, API gateways, NGINX, container platforms, and cloud-native infrastructure, with a strong focus on automation, security, high availability, and operational excellence. This position will play a key role in strategic initiatives involving cloud adoption, Kubernetes-based deployments, infrastructure-as-code, vulnerability management, and disaster recovery planning.
Key Responsibilities
IBM MQ Administration & Support
  • Install, configure, administer, and maintain IBM MQ Queue Managers and MQ Clients on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
  • Perform IBM MQ upgrades, fix pack installations, patch management, and lifecycle maintenance activities.
  • Configure and manage MQ components including:
    • Queue Managers
    • Local, Remote, Alias, and Model Queues
    • Channels and Listeners
    • Clusters
    • Topics and Subscriptions
  • Monitor system health, message throughput, queue depth, latency, and overall platform performance.
  • Troubleshoot MQ connectivity issues, message delivery problems, security-related incidents, and performance bottlenecks.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
  • Partner with application teams and serve as a subject matter expert for messaging solutions.

Performance, Capacity & High Availability
  • Analyze logs, traces, and performance metrics to optimize messaging infrastructure.
  • Monitor resource utilization including CPU, memory, storage, and network consumption.
  • Develop capacity planning strategies and scalability roadmaps.
  • Design and implement highly available messaging solutions including clustering and distributed queue architectures.
  • Develop, maintain, and regularly test disaster recovery (DR) procedures and failover strategies.
  • Participate in business continuity planning and multi-site resilience initiatives.

Security & Compliance
  • Implement and manage IBM MQ security controls including:
    • TLS/SSL encryption
    • Channel Authentication Rules (CHLAUTH)
    • Object Authority Manager (OAM)
    • Certificate and keystore management
  • Collaborate with security teams to ensure compliance with corporate security standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Support vulnerability remediation efforts and security hardening initiatives.
  • Apply security patches and mitigate risks associated with identified vulnerabilities and CVEs.

Cloud & Container Platforms
  • Participate in the design and migration of middleware workloads to AWS.
  • Deploy and manage IBM MQ within containerized environments using Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Rancher.
  • Support infrastructure modernization initiatives utilizing cloud-native technologies and container orchestration platforms.
  • Configure and maintain middleware services deployed across multi-cluster and hybrid-cloud architectures.

API Gateway, NGINX & SFTP Platform Management
  • Design, deploy, and support API gateway and reverse proxy solutions.
  • Configure and troubleshoot API proxies, routing policies, security policies, and traffic management controls.
  • Administer NGINX environments including:
    • Reverse proxy configuration
    • Load balancing
    • SSL/TLS termination
    • Health checks
    • Rate limiting
    • Kubernetes/OpenShift ingress controllers
  • Manage SFTP gateways and managed file transfer (MFT) solutions, including:
    • Key-based authentication
    • User and directory management
    • File transfer monitoring
    • Integration with downstream services

Automation & DevOps
  • Develop automation using Terraform, Ansible, GitOps, Shell scripting, Python, and other infrastructure automation tools.
  • Build and maintain CI/CD deployment pipelines leveraging Jenkins, Harness, Artifactory, and HashiCorp Vault.
  • Support infrastructure-as-code (IaC) initiatives and configuration management practices.
  • Automate operational tasks, middleware deployments, environment provisioning, and compliance validations.

Monitoring & Operations
  • Implement proactive monitoring and alerting strategies using enterprise observability platforms.
  • Support production operations, incident response activities, and on-call responsibilities as required.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams including application development, networking, security, operations, and project management teams.
  • Create and maintain architecture diagrams, operational procedures, standards, and technical documentation.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience administering IBM MQ within enterprise environments.
  • Strong expertise in:
    • Queue Managers
    • Queues
    • Channels
    • Clustering
    • Publish/Subscribe
    • MQ Security
  • Extensive experience administering middleware platforms on Linux environments, particularly RHEL.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting complex middleware and messaging issues.
  • Strong scripting and automation skills using Bash, Python, Shell, or similar languages.
  • Solid understanding of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls, load balancers, and SSL/TLS.
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience administering IBM MQ in cloud and containerized environments.
  • Knowledge of advanced IBM MQ capabilities, including:
    • Advanced Message Security (AMS)
    • Managed File Transfer (MFT)
    • MQ Appliances
  • Experience with AWS-based middleware and messaging deployments.
  • Hands-on expertise with Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, and Rancher.
  • 6+ years of experience designing, deploying, and automating middleware technologies using Terraform, Ansible, and GitOps methodologies.
  • 4+ years of experience administering API gateway and proxy technologies.
  • Strong experience with:
    • API proxy design and deployment
    • OAuth 2.0 and API security
    • API lifecycle management
    • Traffic governance and rate limiting
  • Experience supporting NGINX as both a reverse proxy and Kubernetes/OpenShift ingress controller.
  • Experience administering enterprise SFTP and managed file transfer solutions.
  • Experience building and supporting Jenkins-based operational and deployment pipelines.
  • Working knowledge of enterprise monitoring and observability tools such as Splunk, Dynatrace, Instana, Nagios, or Prometheus.
  • Familiarity with Kafka and other modern messaging technologies.
  • Experience working in Agile, DevOps, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) environments.
  • Strong understanding of disaster recovery planning, high availability architectures, and multi-data-center deployments.

Security & Vulnerability Management Experience
Candidates should possess:
  • Experience working with vulnerability assessment and scanning tools such as Qualys, Nessus, or equivalent platforms.
  • Ability to analyze, prioritize, and remediate middleware-related vulnerabilities.
  • Experience implementing CIS benchmark recommendations and security hardening standards.
  • Familiarity with vulnerability remediation and patch management for API gateways, web servers, messaging platforms, and managed file transfer solutions within highly regulated enterprise environments.

What You'll Bring
  • Deep technical expertise in enterprise messaging and middleware platforms.
  • Strong automation and infrastructure-as-code mindset.
  • Passion for modernization, cloud adoption, and platform engineering.
  • A customer-focused approach with excellent collaboration skills.

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Contact:
This job and many more are available through The Judge Group. Please apply with us today!