Application Developer - IV

Horizontal Talent is seeking an onsite Application Developer (IV) in Richmond, VA to build hands-on automation engineering solutions for enterprise middleware environments. This role blends Ansible, Python, and shell scripting to streamline deployment, configuration management, and operational processes, helping teams improve reliability and scalability through repeatable automation. The position offers USD 69 - 107 per hour and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and retirement.

What you’ll do

• Design, build, and maintain automation solutions using Ansible, Python, and shell scripting.
• Develop and support automation workflows for deployment, configuration, and infrastructure management.
• Create reusable, modular automation components including playbooks, roles, scripts, and other tooling.
• Partner with infrastructure teams to find opportunities to improve efficiency through automation.
• Support configuration management and operational processes across diverse environments.
• Document automation standards, procedures, and best practices for broader team use.
• Collaborate with development, operations, and security partners in an agile environment.
• Troubleshoot complex issues in automated systems and help improve reliability and scalability.
• Share knowledge, mentor teammates, and participate in code reviews to strengthen team capabilities.
• Contribute to automation initiatives supporting middleware technologies such as WebSphere, Liberty, MQ, and File Transfer products.

What you bring

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Ansible, including playbooks, roles, YAML, and Jinja2 templating.
• Experience with Ansible Automation Platform for workflow orchestration and automation management.
• Strong Python development skills, including automation, scripting, and REST API integration.
• 10+ years of experience writing shell scripts in Linux/Unix environments.
• Deep understanding of Linux/Unix system administration and operational troubleshooting.
• Experience using Git or other version control tools in a collaborative development setting.
• Background in systems engineering, DevOps, or automation engineering.
• Ability to develop reliable automation for provisioning, configuration management, and deployment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work across technical teams.

Helpful experience

• Experience with Ansible Galaxy, custom modules, and dynamic inventories.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipeline automation using Ansible Automation Platform.
• Exposure to infrastructure automation libraries and frameworks in Python.
• Knowledge of middleware platforms such as WebSphere, Liberty, MQ, and File Transfer products.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code practices in enterprise environments.
• Comfort mentoring others and contributing to team knowledge-sharing efforts.
• Strong documentation habits and attention to maintainable code practices.

Technologies you’ll work with

Ansible, Python, shell scripting, YAML, Jinja2, Ansible Automation Platform, REST API, Linux/Unix, Git, WebSphere, Liberty, MQ, File Transfer, CI/CD

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement