RCC has an immediate need for a Middleware Kafka Platform Engineer. Middleware is an integral group, within the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Kafka Platform Engineer position is a high-level role, supporting Middleware in a 24x7x365 support role. This position requires performance in a technical leadership role, in the planning, development, implementation, maintenance and support of a centralized messaging environment, and executing national production applications, in the USPS infrastructure, throughout the United States.

Activities will include:

• Perform all activities associated with this large, complex, and widely distributed environment, this includes a multi-platform skill set for Microsoft Windows Server and SUSE Linux 12 operating systems.
• Required to lead the development of standards and procedures, both operational and functional
• May be sought to support different shifts to enable 24x7 support and will be required to carry a pager and be on call
• Expected to work independently or semi-independently with minimum guidance or direction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support and maintain a Kafka/Zookeeper environment and support USPS applications that execute in this large, complex and widely distributed environment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex problems in all Kafka/Zookeeper environments.
• Develop and implement procedures that support, maintain and enhance the environment.
• Development and maintenance of project plans in accordance with US Postal Service standards will be required.
• Develop and implement procedures that enable potential problem detection and avoidance, including disaster recovery planning and implementation.
• Plan and implement Kafka/Zookeeper environments for all stages of development as well as production.
• Interaction with other Postal organizations and individuals, such as developers and end users, will be necessary in order to understand applications and resolve problems.
• This position is responsible for system design, software installation, and application development using Kafka/Zookeeper and other related software.
• Balance hardware, network, software and architecture issues to arrive at a scalable and maintainable solution that meets client requirements for up-time, performance and functionality. Also recommend solutions and alternatives.

Required Technical Skills:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant IT experience.
• Five years of progressively more difficult systems experience within IT
• Two years’ experience within the last five years in supporting WebSphere MQ in a large, complex and widely distributed environment.
• Expert ability to Install, upgrade, maintain and Support Kafka/Zookeeper efficiently and securely in all environments.
• Strong working knowledge, experience and ability with Microsoft Windows 2003/2016, and SUSE Linux 12 server operating systems.
• Expert ability to diagnose and resolve complex problems in a Kafka/Zookeeper environment.
• Excellent ability to develop and implement procedures that support, maintain and enhance the Kafka/Zookeeper environments.
• Excellent ability to develop and implement procedures that enable potential problem detection and avoidance, including disaster recovery planning and implementation.
• Excellent ability to perform Kafka/Zookeeper system design.
• Willingness to work long and varied work schedules required by this large, diverse and complex production environment.
• Excellent people skills and communications skills both oral and written.
• Familiarity with firewall, DMZ, and enclaves.
• Working knowledge of problem and change management.

Additional Desired Skills & Experience:

• WebSphere MQ experience in a large enterprise environment.
• Experience with all phases of application development.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Education:

• A degree from an accredited College or University in the field of services is preferred.