IBM Sterling File Gateway / Sterling B2B Integrator Architect (Azure Cloud Migration)

Job Title: IBM Sterling File Gateway / Sterling B2B Integrator Architect (Azure Cloud Migration)
Work Location: Remote

Type:  Long term contract

Experience: 12-20 Years
IBM Sterling: 8+ Years
Azure Cloud: 5+ Years
MFT Modernization: 3+ Programs

Required Technical Skills

IBM Sterling Expertise (Mandatory)

Minimum 8+ years working with:

·         IBM Sterling File Gateway

·         IBM Sterling B2B Integrator

·         IBM Sterling Secure Proxy

·         IBM Control Center

·         IBM Connect:Direct

·         Sterling File Transfer Governance

Must have completed at least:

·         2+ Sterling Cloud Migration engagements

·         1+ Sterling migration to Azure Cloud

·         1+ enterprise MFT modernization program

Azure Cloud Expertise (Mandatory)

Strong expertise in:-

·         Azure Container Apps (ACA)

·         Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

·         Azure Virtual Network

·         Azure Load Balancer

·         Azure Application Gateway

·         Azure Monitor

·         Azure Log Analytics

·         Azure Storage Accounts

·         Azure Key Vault

·         Azure Entra ID

·         Azure DevOps

Experience deploying containerized enterprise middleware platforms on Azure is required.

DevOps Skills

·         Azure DevOps

·         GitHub

·         CI/CD Automation

·         Jenkins (preferred)

·         Terraform

·         Bicep

·         ARM Templates

·         Docker

·         Kubernetes

Security & Compliance

Experience implementing:

·         SFTP

·         FTPS

·         AS2

·         HTTPS

·         PGP Encryption

·         TLS Certificates

·         Key Management

·         HIPAA-regulated environments

·         Enterprise security controls

Healthcare experience is highly desirable.

Desired Experience

Strong preference for candidates with:

·         Blue Cross Blue Shield environment experience

·         Healthcare Payer experience

·         Large enterprise MFT modernization programs

·         Regulated industry implementations

·         Hybrid-cloud architecture

·         Legacy file transfer platform migration

Deliverables Expected

Candidate should demonstrate prior ownership of:

Architecture

·         Current State Assessment

·         Future State Architecture

·         Migration Roadmap

Engineering

·         Azure Landing Zone Design

·         Sterling Deployment Architecture

·         HA/DR Architecture

·         Performance Validation

Delivery

·         POC Completion

·         Migration Plan

·         Deployment Runbooks

·         Release Plans

·         Knowledge Transfer

Operations

·         Monitoring Framework

·         Support Model

·         Operational Procedures

Job Details:
Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced IBM Sterling Architect / Lead Consultant with proven experience in successfully implementing and modernizing IBM Sterling Managed File Transfer solutions on Microsoft Azure Cloud.

The consultant will lead the architecture, migration strategy, proof-of-concept (POC), implementation, testing, deployment, and operational readiness activities for a large enterprise file transfer modernization initiative. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience migrating on-prem IBM Sterling platforms to Azure-based containerized architectures and delivering enterprise-scale managed file transfer solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment & Discovery

·         Assess current IBM Sterling File Gateway / Sterling B2B Integrator ecosystem.

·         Evaluate existing file transfer patterns, partner configurations, protocols, security models, and operational processes.

·         Develop migration roadmap from on-premises Sterling environment to Azure.

Solution Architecture

·         Create target-state architecture for IBM Sterling on Azure.

·         Design highly available, scalable, and secure Azure-based MFT platform.

·         Define integration architecture with:

o    Azure Container Apps (ACA)

o    Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) where applicable

o    Azure Storage

o    Azure Monitor

o    Azure Key Vault

o    Azure Virtual Networks

o    Azure Load Balancer / Application Gateway

o    Azure DevOps

POC & Migration Execution

·         Lead Sterling-to-Azure proof of concept.

·         Implement containerization strategy for Sterling components.

·         Design migration approach for:

o    B2B Integrator

o    File Gateway

o    Control Center

o    Secure Proxy

o    Connect Direct

·         Migrate partner configurations and routing rules.

·         Conduct performance, resiliency, DR, and failover testing.

Engineering & DevOps

·         Build CI/CD pipelines.

·         Automate deployments and promotion across environments.

·         Implement Infrastructure as Code using Terraform or Bicep.

·         Develop monitoring, alerting, and operational dashboards.

Testing & Readiness

·         Create:

o    Solution Design Documents

o    Test Strategy

o    Deployment Runbooks

o    Rollback Plans

o    Operational Support Documentation

o    Knowledge Transfer Artifacts

·         Support UAT and production deployment.

·         Lead defect triage and issue resolution.