IBM Integration Senior Specialist – (IBM API Connect, ACE, MQ, Security & Cloud Integration)

Apply Closing Date: October 31, 2025

Role Overview

The IBM Integration Senior Specialist is a high-level technical expert responsible for architecting, developing, deploying, and supporting enterprise API and integration solutions. This role involves hands-on expertise in IBM API Connect, DataPower Gateway, IBM App Connect Enterprise (ACE), IBM MQ, and OpenShift/Kubernetes, combined with a strong understanding of API lifecycle, database integration, TLS security, network flow, and multi-cloud platforms like Azure and Google Cloud. The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep integration skills, strong security knowledge, and the ability to design scalable, secure, and performant API architectures.

Key Responsibilities

API Architecture & Design

  • Architect and design enterprise-grade API solutions using IBM API Connect and IBM DataPower Gateway.
  • Implement API lifecycle management including versioning, deprecation, monitoring, and retirement.
  • Define and enforce API policies for rate limiting, caching, analytics, access control, and security.
  • Integrate APIs with third-party Identity Providers using OAuth 2.0, JWT, OpenID Connect, and TLS/mTLS standards.
  • Support and customize the API Developer Portal, enabling self-service onboarding and API discovery.
  • Enable API monetization and analytics-based usage reporting for business insights.

Integration with ACE, MQ & Backend Systems

  • Design and build integration flows using IBM App Connect Enterprise (ACE), including orchestration, transformation, and error handling.
  • Develop robust messaging solutions using IBM MQ with patterns like point-to-point, pub/sub, and asynchronous messaging.
  • Integrate APIs and ACE flows with various backends: databases, legacy systems, ERP, and external APIs.
  • Ensure end-to-end security and observability across gateway, ACE, and MQ flows.

Cloud, DevOps & Containerization

  • Deploy, manage, and scale API and integration workloads on OpenShift and Kubernetes clusters.
  • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines for API, ACE, and MQ deployments using Jenkins, Git, Ansible, etc.
  • Enable cloud-native deployments and hybrid integrations across Azure, Google Cloud, and on-premises systems.
  • Monitor and optimize performance of APIs and integrations using tools like Prometheus, ELK, Instana, or Grafana.

Database, TLS & Network-Level Integration

  • Write and optimize SQL queries for integration with relational databases (e.g., DB2, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server).
  • Secure database and backend communications using TLS/mTLS, and manage keystores/truststores in API Connect, DataPower, and ACE.
  • Understand and work with network flows, load balancers, firewalls, DNS, and proxy configurations for secure API exposure.
  • Collaborate with network and security teams to align API delivery with Zero Trust, compliance, and infrastructure policies.

Support, Monitoring & Governance

  • Troubleshoot issues across API Gateway, ACE, MQ, TLS, and network layers.
  • Analyze logs, performance metrics, error queues, and container diagnostics to resolve critical issues.
  • Manage API governance, including naming standards, documentation practices, and version control.
  • Provide proactive support, post-deployment validation, and knowledge transfer to DevOps and application teams.

Required Skills & Experience

  • IBM API Connect – Advanced experience in API design, policy management, security, lifecycle management, and developer portal customization.
  • IBM DataPower Gateway – Expertise in transformations, access control, TLS config, and runtime troubleshooting.
  • IBM App Connect Enterprise (ACE) – Deep knowledge in message flows, service orchestration, and integration logic.
  • IBM MQ – Hands-on with messaging, queue management, channel configuration, and integration with ACE/APIs.
  • OpenShift & Kubernetes – Experience deploying and scaling API and middleware solutions in container platforms.
  • TLS & Security – Strong grasp of certificate management (X.509), mTLS, keystore/truststore setup, and secure communication.
  • Database Integration – Experience writing SQL queries and performing DB-level integration and security (DB2, Oracle, etc.).
  • Cloud Platforms – Familiarity with Azure API Management, Google Apigee, and hybrid integration across public clouds.
  • DevOps & CI/CD – Knowledge of Jenkins, Git, Ansible, Helm, and container registries.
  • Networking Basics  – Understanding of routing, NAT, firewalls, DNS, proxies, and their impact on API exposure.

Good-to-Have / Bonus Skills

  • Azure Administration – VM provisioning, network security, resource group management, identity roles, and monitoring via Azure Portal.
  • Google Cloud (Apigee) – Exposure to API lifecycle management in GCP environments.
  • API Governance & Documentation – Swagger/OpenAPI design, naming conventions, and collaboration with solution architects.
  • Monitoring & Observability – Familiarity with ELK stack, Instana, or AppDynamics for performance insights.
  • Understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira, Confluence, and ServiceNow.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
  • Proven experience in technical pre-sales or technical consulting roles with 10+ years of experience.
  • Strong technical expertise in IBM Integration technologies, in particular IBM Cloud Pak for Integration.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts.