IBM WebSphere & Windows Server Migration Engineer

IBM WebSphere & Windows Server Migration Engineer (Java)
Location: Detroit MI (Onsite)
Duration: Contract/FTE

Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced IBM WebSphere & Windows Server Migration Engineer with strong Java development skills to support a critical infrastructure modernization initiative. The ideal candidate will lead and execute the migration of IBM WebSphere Application Server environments and Windows Server infrastructure ensuring minimal downtime high reliability and seamless continuity of business-critical applications. This is an onshore engagement requiring hands-on expertise across middleware server platforms and Java-based application stacks.
Key Responsibilities:

• Plan architect and execute end-to-end migration of IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) to newer versions or alternative platforms
• Lead Windows Server migrations (e.g. 2012//2022) including capacity planning cutover strategies and rollback planning
• Analyze existing Java-based applications deployed on WebSphere and ensure compatibility post-migration
• Collaborate with infrastructure DevOps and application teams to define migration runbooks and test plans
• Perform configuration of WebSphere clusters JVM tuning data sources security policies and deployment descriptors
• Troubleshoot and resolve migration-related issues across middleware OS and application layers
• Document pre/post migration architecture configurations and operational procedures
• Participate in UAT performance testing and go-live support activities

Required Skills & Experience

• 6 years of hands-on experience in enterprise IT with a focus on middleware and server migration
• Strong expertise in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) installation configuration clustering and version upgrades
• Proven experience in Windows Server migration (2012/2016 to 2019/2022 or equivalent)
• Proficiency in Java development (Java 8/11/17) ability to review debug and remediate application code impacted by migration
• Experience with JEE/J2EE application deployment on WebSphere
• Familiarity with IIS Active Directory and Windows-based service configuration
• Strong understanding of network DNS SSL/TLS and firewall concepts in enterprise environments
• Experience writing and executing migration test plans and cutover runbooks

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with WebSphere Liberty or migration to Apache Tomcat / JBoss / WildFly
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker Kubernetes OpenShift) for post-migration modernization
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins Azure DevOps) for Java application deployment
• Knowledge of Azure AWS or IBM Cloud for hybrid infrastructure scenarios
• Scripting skills PowerShell Python or Bash for migration automation
• Prior experience working in Agile/Scrum delivery environments

Preferred Certifications:

• IBM Certified System Administrator WebSphere Application Server
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server (MCSA/MCSE or equivalent)
• Oracle Certified Java Programmer (OCP/OCA)