The Vice President of Middleware Technology will lead the strategy, development, and implementation of middleware solutions that support the organization's business objectives.
This role requires a strategic thinker with extensive experience in middleware architecture, integration technologies, and a deep understanding of enterprise systems.
Job Description
What You'll Do:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Develop and execute the middleware technology strategy that enhances organizational capabilities and drives competitive advantage.
- Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of middleware solutions.
- Manage and mentor a team of middleware developers and engineers.
- Evaluate and recommend new technologies to enhance middleware capabilities.
- Monitor performance and reliability of middleware services and address any issues promptly.
Technical Skills & Expertise
- Deep expertise in middleware platforms such as MuleSoft, Apache Kafka, and other enterprise integration tools.
- Strong understanding of enterprise integration patterns, message-oriented middleware, and event-driven architectures.
- Proven experience designing and implementing high-availability, scalable, and secure middleware solutions across hybrid environments.
- Proficiency in cloud-based middleware services (e.g., Azure Integration Services, AWS AppFlow, Google Cloud Pub/Sub).
- Familiarity with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines for middleware deployment and automation.
- Knowledge of API management, service mesh, and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenShift).
- Solid grasp of middleware security protocols, including encryption, authentication, and authorization standards.
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and performance tuning of middleware systems to ensure reliability and efficiency.
- Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and align them with enterprise architecture and business strategy.
Financial Control & Governance
- Develop budgets and forecasts for middleware technology initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices in middleware architecture.
- Manage relationships with vendors and third-party service providers.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of applications and systems.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives within technology operations to enhance service delivery and reduce operational risks.
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between IT and other business units to foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
Talent & Culture Development
- Build and retain a high-performing technology team with the right mix of skills, experience, and leadership potential.
- Design career paths and succession plans that support long-term organizational growth.
- Foster a customer-first culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the technology organization.
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum 15 of years of experience in middleware technologies and enterprise integration.
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale technology projects.
- Strong knowledge of integration patterns, APIs, and middleware platforms (e.g., IBM MQ, MuleSoft, Apache Kafka).
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
- Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships across the organization.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with cloud-based middleware solutions.
- Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools.
- Knowledge of security standards and practices related to middleware technologies.
American Electric Power
1 Riverside Plaza
Columbus
Ohio United States
www.aep.com


