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Senior Middleware Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Chamberlain Group

Senior Software Engineer, .NET

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

Responsibilities : • Work using Agile methodologies such as Scrum to develop middleware • Serve ... senior engineers to produce thoughtful software designs of moderate scope and complexity • ...

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Senior Middleware Engineer information

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How much do senior middleware engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior middleware engineer in Illinois is $54.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.22 and $62.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges a senior middleware engineer faces when integrating new technologies into existing enterprise systems?

Senior Middleware Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating new technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, maintaining data security, and minimizing downtime during deployment. They must carefully plan migrations and develop custom solutions to bridge gaps between different platforms. Effective communication with cross-functional teams, such as developers, system administrators, and security specialists, is essential to anticipate potential issues and implement seamless integrations. Staying current with evolving middleware trends also helps address these challenges proactively.

What is the difference between Senior Middleware Engineer vs Middleware Developer?

AspectSenior Middleware EngineerMiddleware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, certifications like TOGAF, AWSBachelor's in CS or related, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDesigns, integrates, and maintains middleware solutions in enterprise settingsDevelops and implements middleware components, often in project teams
Industry UsageUsed across finance, healthcare, telecom, and tech sectorsCommonly found in software development firms and IT departments
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles and responsibilities in middlewareFocus on development tasks and coding skills

The main difference is that a Senior Middleware Engineer typically oversees the design, integration, and maintenance of middleware systems at a higher level, often leading projects and teams. Middleware Developers focus more on coding and implementing middleware components. Both roles require similar technical skills, but the Senior Middleware Engineer has greater responsibilities in architecture and strategic planning.

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

To thrive as a Senior Middleware Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of middleware platforms, integration architecture, and distributed systems, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with tools such as IBM WebSphere, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Apache Kafka, and experience with automation and monitoring solutions is essential, along with relevant certifications. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a collaborative mindset set top candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure reliable system integration, efficient troubleshooting, and effective cross-functional teamwork in complex IT environments.

What is a senior middleware engineer?

Senior Middleware Engineers are experienced IT professionals who specialize in designing, implementing, and managing middleware solutions that connect different software applications, databases, and services within an organization. They play a critical role in ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between systems, often working with technologies such as application servers, message brokers, API gateways, and integration platforms. Senior Middleware Engineers also provide technical leadership, troubleshoot complex system issues, and help optimize performance and security in middleware environments.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Middleware Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Senior Middleware Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Middleware Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Middleware Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
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Senior Middleware Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Middleware Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,944 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Middleware Messaging Engineer

Judge Group, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$60 - $75/hr

Other

Posted 7 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!

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