Role: Principal / Sr. Lead, Infrastructure Middleware
MAIN DUTIES:
Northern Trust Enterprise Middleware Service team seeking an experienced and highly skilled Sr.Lead / Principal Confluent Kafka Administrator to join our team on a full-time basis. The candidate will be a key driver in architecting, implementing, maintaining, and supporting our Kafka platform. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in capacity management, Kafka technologies, and providing expert guidance to ensure the optimal performance and scalability of our Kafka ecosystem.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of the Kafka platform to meet our capacity and performance requirements
• Provide expert-level guidance and mentorship to other Kafka administrators
• Collaborate with development teams to architect, implement, and scale Kafka-based solutions.
• Monitor and fine-tune Kafka platform performance to ensure high availability, efficiency, and scalability
• Oversee and drive capacity planning initiatives for the Kafka infrastructure, ensuring its ability to handle current and future workloads
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to the Kafka platform
• Develop and maintain advanced automation tools for Kafka platform management
• Define and enforce security standards, including authentication and authorization mechanisms
• Lead the configuration and optimization of Kafka Connect and Kafka Streams
• Lead the management and configuration of Confluent Control Centre
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for the Kafka platform
• Develop and maintain self-service tools for Kafka topics management, access control, and configuration changes
• Champion the automation of administrative tasks such as backup and recovery, scaling, and monitoring
• Collaborate with development teams to integrate Kafka with other systems using APIs and tools
• Conduct performance tuning and optimization activities, ensuring adherence to best practices
• Provide high-level technical support and guidance to development teams for Kafka-related challenges
• Work with application developers in POCs to design solutions with novel and advanced product features
• Proactively ensure the highest levels of systems and infrastructure availability by monitoring and testing application performance for potential bottlenecks, identify possible solutions, and work with developers to implement those fixes
• Design and maintain security, backup, disaster recovery and redundancy strategies
• Design of expansion of current cluster and integration of existing cluster with clou
• Provide 3rd level support and act as the technical leader of offshore support team
• Liaise with vendors and other IT personnel for product modernization and problem resolution

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
Qualifications:

• 5+ years of extensive experience as a Kafka Administrator, with a strong focus on Confluent Platform
• Proven experience leading complex Kafka implementations, including capacity planning and management
• Expert-level knowledge of Kafka Connect and Kafka Streams.
• In-depth understanding of Confluent Control Centre and its functionalities
• Strong background in Linux/Unix operating systems and network protocols
• Demonstrated expertise in Kafka security features and best practices
• Proficiency in automation tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or Salt
• Exceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions effectively
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.

Skills sets:
The following are required skills:
Extensive experience with Confluent Kafka admin and development
Expert knowledge of scripting (Python, Java, etc.
Knowledge/experience with GIT and CI/CD
Familiarity with REST APIs
Experience with Confluent Cloud a+
Experience with other middleware or streaming platforms a +
Experience with Docker, PCF, or other container platforms a +
Experience with ADO and Scrum a +
About Northern Trust:
Northern Trust provides innovative financial services and guidance to corporations, institutions and affluent families and individuals globally. With over 130 years of financial experience and nearly 20,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Working with Us:
As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company that is committed to strengthening the communities we serve!
We recognize the value of inclusion and diversity in culture, in thought, and in experience, which is why we are honored to receive the following awards in 2021:

• Gender Equality Index Member, Bloomberg
• Top Financial & Banking Company, Black EOE Journal, Hispanic Network Magazine, Professional WOMAN'S Magazine

We'd love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of America's best banks and most sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today.