Middleware Application SME – Kubernetes to AKS Migration

Job Description

<span ><span ><span >Middleware Application SME – Kubernetes to AKS Migration</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Contract Term: 12 months, renewable</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >Part time, 20 hours weekly for the first 2 months, and then 40 hours a week</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >Work Location: Remote Work in Canada</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Experience: 5 + years in middleware containerization and container platform application services</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Role Overview:</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >We are looking for a highly skilled Middleware Application SME to support the migration of containerized middleware workloads from on-premises Kubernetes clusters to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The SME will assess, re-platform, and optimize middleware services such as ActiveMQ, RabbitMQ, Apache Tomcat, JBoss, NGINX, Apache HTTP Server, Kafka, Redis, and similar technologies, ensuring seamless integration into the AKS platform.</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Key Responsibilities:</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Lead the discovery, analysis, and assessment of existing middleware container workloads for cloud readiness and prepare an Application Container services migration strategy on AKS.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Review and optimize Kubernetes Container application manifests, Helm charts, Dockerfiles, persistent volume claims, config maps, secrets, and custom resources.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Evaluate and remediate Application middleware services compatibility issues for AKS, including storage class transitions and ingress configurations.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Define Application PODs/Container migration patterns/Wave planning, secret and credential management strategies, and integration with Azure Key Vault and Azure Container Registry.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Collaborate with Application Architects, infrastructure, and cloud architects to implement HA/DR strategies for middleware services on AKS.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Define CI/CD integration strategies using Azure DevOps for middleware workload deployment, testing, and version management.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Enable observability by integrating Azure-native monitoring, logging, and alerting services for containerized middleware.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Provide technical leadership during migration execution, troubleshooting, and UAT support for middleware services.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Document architectural decisions, migration procedures, and operational guidelines for middleware components on AKS.</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Required Skills and Qualifications:</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             5 + years of hands-on experience with middleware technologies including:</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >o             Message brokers: ActiveMQ, RabbitMQ</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >o             Application servers: JBoss (EAP), Apache Tomcat</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >o             Web servers/proxies: NGINX, HAPROXY,  Apache HTTP Server</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >o             Event/data streaming & caching: Kafka, Redis</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Strong background in Kubernetes (on-prem or cloud) with deep understanding of StatefulSets, Services, Ingress, PVCs, Secrets, ConfigMaps.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Experience containerizing and managing middleware in Docker and Helm-based deployments.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Proficiency in CI/CD practices with tools such as Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or GitHub Actions.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Knowledge of Azure native services including AKS, Azure Container Registry, Azure Key Vault, Azure Monitor, and Log Analytics.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Ability to assess and resolve issues related to application connectivity, scaling, performance, and security on cloud-native platforms.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Strong scripting skills (Bash, Python, or PowerShell) are a plus.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Excellent analytical and communication skills with a collaborative approach to cross-functional problem solving.</span></span></span><br>
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<span ><span ><span >Preferred Qualifications:</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Azure certifications (e.g., AZ-104, AZ-400, AZ-305) or Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD).</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Experience with multi-region AKS cluster design and failover strategies.</span></span></span><br>
<span ><span ><span >•             Exposure to hybrid cloud integrations and service mesh technologies (e.g., Istio, Linkerd).</span></span></span><br>
Contact Information: Lam Guan