Senior Staff Engineer - Middleware Core Framework

We are seeking an experienced platform engineer to architect and build the foundational framework for our next-generation middleware platform. This role will design and implement the shared runtime, integration libraries, resilience patterns, and developer tooling that all domain service teams will inherit. The ideal candidate has proven experience building enterprise-grade Spring Boot frameworks that accelerate delivery while ensuring operational excellence, security, and observability., * Design and implement the core middleware framework built on Spring Boot 3.X+ and Java 21+.

• Develop standardized libraries for OAuth2 security, Azure Key Vault secrets management, structured JSON logging with correlation IDs.
• Build reusable integration clients for z/OS Connect (MACSS), GigaWatt REST APIs, and Kafka event streaming.
• Implement resilience patterns including circuit breakers (Resilience4j), retries, bulkheads, and timeout strategies.
• Create the Hybrid CIS Routing Engine with Redis-backed account/capability-level routing and instant rollback support.
• Establish OpenAPI 3.0 enforcement and REST API standards for all domain services.
• Build Gradle-based common build system with centralized dependency management.
• Create CI/CD pipeline templates (GitLab/Jenkins) and Helm chart standards.
• Design blue/green deployment patterns for zero-downtime releases.
• Provide documentation, code samples, and developer onboarding materials.
• Integrate observability tooling: Splunk logging, Dynatrace APM, Prometheus/Grafana metrics, Jaeger distributed tracing.
• Implement centralized patching strategy where framework updates propagate to all services on next build.
• Establish SLO/SLA monitoring patterns and runbook templates.
• Design for Kubernetes/OpenShift deployment with horizontal scaling and resource management.
• Partner with domain service teams to understand requirements and gather feedback.
• Conduct framework design reviews and establish governance standards.
• Mentor engineers on framework usage, best practices, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with security, infrastructure, and architecture teams on enterprise standards., The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

• 8+ years software engineering experience with 4+ years building shared frameworks or platform services.
• Deep expertise in Spring Boot 3.X ecosystem (Spring Security, Spring Data, Spring Cloud).
• Proven track record designing and shipping enterprise-grade Java frameworks adopted by multiple teams.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems patterns: circuit breakers, retries, caching, event-driven architecture.
• Experience with container orchestration (Kubernetes/OpenShift) and cloud platforms (Azure preferred).
• Expertise in REST API design, OpenAPI specifications, and API versioning strategies.
• Hands-on experience with observability tools (APM, logging aggregation, distributed tracing, metrics).
• Strong knowledge of OAuth2/OIDC, secrets management, and secure coding practices.

Technical Environment:

• Languages/Frameworks: Java 21+, Spring Boot 3.X, Gradle
• Cloud/Infrastructure: Azure, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Helm
• Integration: z/OS Connect, REST APIs, Kafka, SFTP, Oracle GoldenGate CDC
• Data Stores: Oracle, Redis, Kafka
• Observability: Splunk, Dynatrace, Prometheus, Grafana, Jaeger
• Security: Azure Key Vault, OAuth2, OIDC
• DevOps: GitLab/Jenkins, Helm, blue/green deployments

Nice to Have

• Previous experience building middleware frameworks that bridge legacy mainframe (z/OS) and cloud systems.
• Experience with Redis, Kafka, Oracle databases in high-throughput environments.
• Familiarity with MACSS, GigaWatt, or other CIS (Customer Information Systems).
• Background in CI/CD automation, GitOps, and blue/green deployment strategies.
• Experience with API management platforms (Azure APIM preferred).
• Knowledge of Resilience4j, Hystrix, or similar fault tolerance libraries.

Desired Certified Credentials

• Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
• Spring Professional Certification
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, * Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related technical field is required., * 10 years of relevant work experience is required. An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered.

Base Salary from $136,539.00 - $177,503.00 /year. In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

At AEP, we're more than just an energy company - we're a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!