Kafka Developer / Consultant (Event-Driven Integration)We are seeking a highly skilled Kafka Developer / Consultant to support a multi-year CIS transformation program for our public utility client in Columbus, Ohio. This role will be responsible for designing, developing, and supporting scalable event-driven integration solutions using Apache Kafka to enable real-time communication between SAP, CIS, and enterprise utility systems.The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience building event-driven architectures, real-time data streaming solutions, distributed systems, and enterprise integration platforms. This individual will play a critical role in modernizing the utility technology landscape by enabling high-volume, resilient, and scalable integrations across customer, billing, metering, asset management, and operational systems.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign and develop event-driven architectures using Apache Kafka (Producers, Consumers, Topics, Streams)Build and manage real-time data pipelines and streaming integrations supporting the CIS transformation programConfigure and optimize Kafka clusters, topics, partitions, replication strategies, and retention policiesDevelop Kafka-based integration solutions across SAP, CIS, and enterprise utility systemsImplement event-streaming patterns including publish/subscribe, event sourcing, and asynchronous messagingEnsure scalability, reliability, fault tolerance, and high availability of Kafka-based solutionsIntegrate Kafka with middleware and enterprise integration platforms including SAP BTP Integration Suite, MuleSoft, Azure APIs, and related technologiesDesign and support real-time event-driven integrations between customer, billing, metering, and operational systemsMonitor and troubleshoot Kafka environments using Confluent Control Center and related monitoring toolsCollaborate with architects, business analysts, integration teams, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutionsContribute to architecture design, technical documentation, error handling strategies, and integration best practicesSupport SIT, UAT, deployment, cutover, and production support activitiesParticipate in enterprise integration governance and architecture review activitiesRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field4+ years of software development and integration experienceHands-on experience with Apache Kafka including design, development, configuration, and administrationStrong understanding of: Event-Driven Architecture (EDA), distributed systems, asynchronous messaging, real-time streaming architecturesExperience building: Kafka Producers and Consumers, topic design and partitioning strategies, event streaming solutionsProficiency in one or more programming languages: Java, Scala, PythonExperience with REST APIs and enterprise integration patternsStrong troubleshooting, debugging, and performance tuning skillsExperience supporting enterprise integration testing and deployment activitiesPreferred QualificationsExperience with Confluent Kafka Platform including: Schema Registry, Kafka Connect, KSQL, Confluent Control CenterExperience with SAP BTP Integration SuiteExperience integrating Kafka with enterprise platforms such as: SAP, Salesforce, CIS platforms, utility applicationsExperience with Azure APIs, MuleSoft, or other enterprise middleware solutionsCloud platform experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP Kafka servicesFamiliarity with: SSL, SASL, Authentication and Authorization, Avro, JSON, ProtobufPreferred Utility ExperiencePublic utility industry experience strongly preferredExperience supporting Customer Information Systems (CIS) transformationsKnowledge of utility business processes including: Customer Service, Billing, Metering, Work Management, Asset Management, Field OperationsExperience supporting large-scale utility modernization programsSoft SkillsStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsExcellent communication and stakeholder management abilitiesAbility to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environmentSelf-driven with an architect mindset for enterprise-grade solutionsAbility to communicate effectively with both technical and business audiencesTypical Use Cases the Role Will SupportEvent-driven integration between SAP and external systemsReal-time customer and service event streamingHigh-volume asynchronous data processing pipelinesEnterprise publish/subscribe messaging architecturesReal-time integration between CIS, SAP, metering, billing, and operational systemsUtility customer lifecycle and service event processingLarge-scale event-driven integrations supporting a multi-year CIS transformation programThis is a long-term opportunity supporting a strategic utility modernization initiative and offers the opportunity to work on one of the largest CIS transformation programs in the utility industry.DTI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under Illinois state or federal law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs.