About Company
Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) is a prominent player in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, with a rich history spanning over a century. As one of the leading producers of coal and coke in the Southern African region, HCCL plays a critical role in powering industries, supporting energy security, and driving economic development. We are committed to operational excellence, sustainable practices, and leveraging technology to enhance our productivity and safety. Our operations are complex and extensive, relying heavily on robust IT infrastructure to manage everything from production planning and logistics to financial systems and human resources. Joining HCCL means becoming part of a legacy that fuels progress.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Middleware Engineer to join our dynamic IT team at Hwange Colliery Company Limited. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and maintaining the critical middleware infrastructure that underpins our diverse business applications and systems. You will be responsible for ensuring the seamless integration, high availability, and optimal performance of our enterprise applications, including ERP, financial systems, operational technology (OT) integrations, and various custom solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of middleware technologies, strong problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to system reliability and security. You will collaborate closely with development teams, system administrators, and business stakeholders to translate technical requirements into robust, scalable middleware solutions. Your expertise will directly contribute to the operational efficiency and strategic technological advancement of a leading mining company, facing unique challenges and opportunities in a fast-paced industrial environment. We are looking for a visionary who can not only manage current systems but also drive innovation in our middleware landscape, preparing us for future growth and technological shifts. This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on mission-critical systems in a vital industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, configure, and maintain middleware platforms such as application servers (e.g., Oracle WebLogic, Apache Tomcat, JBoss EAP), messaging queues (e.g., Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ), and API gateways.
- Ensure high availability, scalability, and performance of all middleware components through proactive monitoring, tuning, and troubleshooting.
- Collaborate with development teams to integrate new applications and services, providing expert guidance on middleware best practices and architectural patterns.
- Automate deployment, configuration, and management of middleware environments using scripting (e.g., Python, Bash) and automation tools.
- Manage and troubleshoot complex integration issues across various systems and applications, identifying root causes and implementing permanent solutions.
- Implement and enforce security best practices for middleware platforms, including access control, certificate management, and vulnerability remediation.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for middleware architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of the team's technical capabilities and processes.
Required Skills
- 5+ years of hands-on experience with enterprise middleware platforms (e.g., Oracle WebLogic, JBoss EAP, Apache Tomcat).
- Proficiency in Java/JEE application server administration and tuning.
- Strong experience with messaging systems such as Apache Kafka, IBM MQ, or RabbitMQ.
- Solid understanding of API management and gateway solutions (e.g., Apigee, Kong, NGINX).
- Expertise in Linux/Unix operating systems and shell scripting.
- Experience with database connectivity and basic SQL query capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex system integration issues.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Knowledge of DevOps principles and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI).
- Familiarity with monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack.
- Experience in an industrial, mining, or manufacturing environment.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs.
- Company pension scheme.
- Generous paid time off and public holidays.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
- Access to on-site facilities within the Hwange community.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking on the application link below. Please ensure your CV and cover letter highlight your relevant experience and qualifications for this Senior Middleware Engineer role. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to the Hwange Colliery Company Limited family.