Kafka (Subject Matter Expert)

Overview

GovCIO is currently hiring for a Kafka (Subject Matter Expert) to support our customer, USPS and their CIO Architecture, Strategy & Innovation (CASI) group. The CASI is to assist Vice President of Information Technology (IT) design, develop, maintain, support, and translate corporate business vision and strategy along with stakeholder input into objectives for building, enhancing, or replacing business and IT systems capabilities, together with an implementation of a comprehensive IT roadmap, all-the-while maintaining resilience to change as a key architectural and strategy objective for the enterprise. In the fast-paced world of IT, agility and responsiveness to the frequently occurring changes in direction are a must, even while moving continuously forward implementing elements of the Postmaster General’s “Delivering for America” 10-year plan. This position is full remote within the United states.

To support the USPS mission, projects, and system requirements, the USPS requires sophisticated information technology systems support services by experienced professionals. The CASI team demonstrates leadership by evaluating and driving implementation of innovative solutions for technology infrastructure and application architecture.

Responsibilities

• Analysis support to integrate new kafka cluster and event stream requirements into established large-scale, production enterprise architectures.
• Conduct Design and Architecture assessments and provide written recommendations for integrating kafka event streams within an application domain or enterprise event brokering.
• Troubleshoot production kafka event streams and software integration issues as top tier internal support, including review of performance issues and proposing resolutions.
• Conduct research and provide written reviews of kafka ecosystem best practices and innovative strategies for hybrid multi-cloud high availability.
• Conduct proof of concept activities and build prototypes for kafka technology stack components in sandbox environments to assess new capabilities.
• Define and implement standards and patterns for kafka ecosystem life cycle, test-driven protection schemes, and automated implementation strategies.
• Devise strategies and roadmaps for enterprise expansion of kafka ecosystem capabilities, integrations, and governance.
• Strategy and compliance reviews and recommendations for enterprise kafka ecosystem elements which may include the following:  architecture frameworks, databases, network, web and application architecture resources, backup and recovery, high availability, disaster recovery, patch management and analytics.

• Querying and managing data in both SQL and NoSQL databases.

Qualifications

Bachelor's with 20+ years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience designing and implementing kafka event streaming capabilities in applications and infrastructure across hybrid multi-cloud environments.
• Experience producing IT technical artifacts, with an emphasis on kafka event streams, including design documents, architecture diagrams, architecture assessments, white papers, test plans, requirements mapping, and implementation plans.
• In-depth knowledge of design principles and inner workings of kafka implementations and applicable use cases for migrating applications from legacy style to modern style with the use of Event Streams and Async APIs.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Apache Kafka, Confluent Platform, Confluent Cloud.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Apache Strimzi, Confluent for Kubernetes.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Cloud services with Kafka API compatibility (e.g. Azure Event Hub, Amazon MSK).
• Demonstrable knowledge of Confluent Schema Registry and serialization using JSON and AVRO schemas.
• Demonstrable knowledge of kafka replication options including Mirror Maker, Confluent Cluster Linking and Schema Linking.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Confluent Identity Mgmt and RBAC, integrated/federated with enterprise IDP & role management.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Kafka Client APIs (Producer, Consumer, Streams).
• Demonstrable knowledge of Kafka Connect and Connectors (e.g. JDBC, Cassandra, Google BigQuery, Websphere MQ, etc).
• Demonstrable knowledge of sizing and capacity planning for kafka clusters.
• Demonstrable knowledge of kafka topic partitioning strategies including partition key design strategies.

Additional Requirements:

• Using design patterns for building scalable and maintainable applications/solutions.
• Clearly document code, models, and technical solutions.
• Proficiency in Generative AI and prompt engineering.
• Continuous learning and adaptability in a very large IT organization
• Communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Troubleshooting software and technical implementations in large-scale enterprise ecosystems.
• Understanding of concepts like CI/CD, containerization, and deployment strategies for kafka components in large-scale production environments.
• Querying and managing data in both SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Proficiency creating technical diagrams with products like Microsoft Visio or Draw.io.
• Proficiency creating technical design and architecture documents in Microsoft Word.
• Proficiency creating business and technical presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Proficiency creating data representations, charts and reports in tools such as Microsoft’s Excel worksheets and Power BI.

Clearance Required: US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Green card) is required to obtain and maintain the Public Trust

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Integrating kafka event streams with Agentic AI workflows.

Company Overview

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?

What You Can Expect

Interview & Hiring Process

If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:

• During the Interview Process
  • Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team
  • Camera must be on
  • A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview

• During the Hiring Process
  • Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening
  • Background check, to include:
    • Criminal history (past 7 years)
    • Verification of your highest level of education
    • Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application

Employee Perks

At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Corporate Discounts
• Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content
• Training, Education and Certification Assistance*
• Referral Bonus Program
• Internal Mobility Program
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Work Environment

*Available to full-time employees

Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.

Posted Pay Range

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Posted Salary Range