Hybrid Role:- Java Architect – State of Illinois – IDES :: Springfield, IL / Chicago, IL :: B-34027

Position: Java Architect 

Client: State of Illinois

Agency: Illinois Department of Employment Security (“IDES”)

Interview Type: Video

Duration: 3 years

Location: Springfield, IL / Chicago, IL

Description: A Java Architect must plan, implement, and coordinate database administration, highly complex and sophisticated interface functions between operating and virtual operating systems, and between mainframe application systems and various IBM and Microsoft Server Operation Systems residing on mainframe hardware and server clusters. Architect defines the big picture for the software solution and is responsible for all aspects of the IDES WebSphere application server environment, including implementing architecture frameworks updates, and architecture configuration settings. The skills, training and experience a qualified Java Architects must possess, without limitation:                                                          

• Provides technical assistance in the development, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, modification, installation and daily management of web-based, multi-environment, relational information systems.               
• Provides work leadership, guidance, training, and direction to information technology professionals in all phases of product development pertaining to web-oriented systems. Recommends and coordinates systems development and maintenance schedules and plans.                                           
• Maintains and manages development, test and production environments, and build tools and deployments; maintains development tools and architecture configuration settings; participates in coding, testing and debugging applications programs and similar activities as required or assigned; submits status reports to the manager.                                                                            
• Determines and advises on applicable management analysis techniques; devises or directs the development of supporting policies, methods, procedures and forms to implement programs and improve systems; maintains and oversees the enforcement of design standards, development standards, and framework how-to guides;                                                                             
• Provides top management with special one-time reports and system studies of management operations to assist them in making program and policy decisions; defines options to optimize technology cost effectiveness across the technology stack.                                                                  
• Assists the Chief Technology Officer in the control and projected use of resources, particularly mainframe and web-oriented tools and the development and production hardware and software environments utilized by agency Internet based systems;                                                               
• Evaluates new technology to anticipate the probable impact on future plans and current information systems, particularly the WebSphere Application Server and virtual operating systems technologies.            
• Updates architecture frameworks as necessary, including on-line, batch, content management, imaging and security; creates and maintains sizing and capacity assessments; updates software configuration; assures the accuracy, security, and accessibility of the agency’s benefits systems data.                            
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to agency management regarding information systems plans, disaster recovery procedures, and/or security systems.                                                                                                                    

Qualifications: 

Desires the knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to 6 years of college (Master’s Degree preferred) with significant course work in computer science or directly related fields, supplemented by evaluation of five years of professional experience in architecture related to highly available, web-based, enterprise Java applications. It would be particularly beneficial for a Java Architect to have skills, training, and/or experience in any or all of the following areas:                                                      

• Technical expertise in IBM z/OS, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual AIX, JDBC bridging techniques, IBM WebSphere Application Server, Tivoli Access Manager, and DOC1 Generate                             
• Technical expertise in IBM Content Manager, IBM development software (e.g., Rational Application Developer, Clear Case, Clear Quest); DB2 on z/OS and AIX                                      
• Detailed knowledge of analysis methodologies (Use Cases, Process Flows, Unified Modeling Language (structure diagrams, behavior diagrams, interaction diagrams)                                      
• Technical expertise in Java EE framework Technologies and Java EE system development Technical expertise in development of application security layer for web applications.                          
• Strong expertise in Struts, Spring MVC, Spring IOC, Spring AOP, Spring Batch technologies.           
• Strong expertise in JQuery, Javascript, CSS, HTML, AJAX front end technologies Strong expertise in ANT and MAVEN build scripts                                                                 
• Strong expertise in development of middleware components using IBM MQ, Webservices etc.        
• Expertise in XML, XML Schema Definitions and development of java binding to marshal and unmarshal the XML.                                                                         
• Expertise in SQL and working with DB2 z/os and MS SQL Server                                   
• Expertise working on reporting engines and proposing solutions for optimal SQL and fine tuning the SQL used in the applications.                                                               
• Experience in development of mobile applications.                                        
• Experience in performing code coverage, continuous integration with tools like Hudson etc.           
• Detailed knowledge of Struts Framework, Spring IOC Framework, and Spring Batch Integration of Struts and Spring Solid, demonstrative iBatis experience