Senior Middleware Systems Programmer - ITS5

Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) is seeking a Senior Middleware Systems Programmer to provide enterprise-level support, administration, and technical leadership for middleware services across statewide systems. This position serves as the subject matter expert for middleware technologies, including WebSphere, Apache, Tomcat, F5 Big IP, and Azure Application Gateway, and is responsible for supporting on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. The role focuses on evaluating, implementing, automating, and maintaining middleware solutions using tools such as Ansible, while ensuring system reliability, performance, and security. The incumbent provides advanced troubleshooting and incident resolution for complex, mission-critical issues and participates in on-call support. In addition, this position provides architectural guidance, documentation, and consultation to technical teams and agency partners across the enterprise., It is the policy of Minnesota IT Services that a successful candidate must pass all legally required checks prior to employment which may consist of the following:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• CJIS Background Check
• Other legally required checks

Minnesota IT Services does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Minnesota IT Services is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

To qualify, candidates must clearly show all of the following qualifications in their resume. Resume tips available here (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/careers/hiringprocess.jsp) :

Position requires a minimum of five (5) years of IT related experience in middleware systems administration, support, and engineering in enterprise on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments., * Middleware administration, installation, configuration, and support of enterprise platforms such as WebSphere, Apache HTTP Server, and Apache Tomcat.

• Experience supporting and configuring load balancing and application delivery technologies, including F5 Big IP devices (including iRules) and Azure Application Gateway.
• Experience with automation and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Ansible for software deployment, configuration management, and system administration.
• Experience with cloud-based middleware support and integration, including Azure and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience with scripting and automation using tools such as Jython, UNIX shell scripting, and source control practices (e.g., GitHub) for operational support and deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a manner that facilitates mutual understanding.
• Customer-focused approach grounded in active listening, empathy, and solution-oriented problem-solving to deliver positive user experiences.

Education in Information Technology (IT) or an IT related field may substitute for experience as follows: a master's degree for eighteen (18) months of experience; a bachelor's degree for one (1) year; and an associate's degree for six (6) months., * Experience creating and maintaining Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using Ansible or Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (AAP).

• Experience managing Certificate-Authority from Sectigo and certificate lifecycle processes.
• Experience managing and configuring Azure Application Gateways (AGW) components such as routing rules, listeners, probes, WAF policies, and related traffic-management features.
• Experience installing and managing F5 BIG-IP Automated-Certificate-Mgmt Environment (ACME) for certification deployment and renewal.
• Experience managing Azure Key Vaults, including certificate and secret storage and integration with automation deployment or middleware processes.
• Experience with GitHub and Azure DevOps for source control, automation workflows, or CI/CD pipelines.

* Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes The work you'll do is more than just a job. At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities. Join the 2,800+ professionals of Minnesota IT Services (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/careers/) (MNIT) who connect Minnesotans to services that will improve their lives. This position will be part of the Enterprise Services team, which delivers a full suite of services to state agencies, boards, councils, and commissions, and many central services to local government partners.