Job Description
CICS, MQ, and WAS System Programmer
Role Summary
The CICS/MQ/WAS System Programmer is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and supporting IBM CICS Transaction Server, IBM MQ, and IBM WebSphere Application Server environments on z/OS. The role ensures high availability, performance, security, and reliability of middleware platforms that support enterprise-critical applications.
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Key Responsibilities
CICS (Customer Information Control System)
- Install, upgrade, and maintain CICS Transaction Server on z/OS.
- Configure CICS regions, define resource definitions (RDO), and manage CPSM.
- Implement and support threadsafe, RLS, and CICSPlex configurations.
- Troubleshoot CICS transaction issues, abends, performance bottlenecks, and region failures.
- Apply maintenance (PTFs, APARs) and perform system tuning.
MQ (IBM Message Queue)
- Install, configure, and upgrade IBM MQ on z/OS.
- Create and manage queue managers, queues, channels, listeners, and clustering setups.
- Ensure MQ security (RACF), message encryption, and SSL/TLS configurations.
- Perform MQ monitoring, capacity planning, and problem resolution (dead-letter queues, channel failures).
- Support distributed MQ integration and multi-platform messaging.
WAS (WebSphere Application Server)
- Install, configure, and upgrade IBM WebSphere Application Server on z/OS or distributed platforms.
- Configure application servers, JVM tuning, data sources, and resource adapters.
- Manage fix packs, PTFs, and security patches.
- Troubleshoot application deployment issues, performance lags, JVM memory leaks, and SSL configurations.
- Support integration with MQ, CICS TG, and enterprise monitoring tools.
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Cross-Platform Responsibilities
- Plan and execute middleware upgrades, migrations, and modernization initiatives.
- Implement high availability & disaster recovery solutions.
- Perform capacity planning, performance tuning, and automation (Rexx, JCL, Shell).
- Ensure compliance with security standards (RACF rules, auditing).
- Collaborate with application teams, DBAs, infrastructure, and operations teams.
- Provide 24x7 on-call support for critical middleware incidents.
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Required Skills
• Strong hands-on experience with:
- CICS TS, CICSPlex SM
- IBM MQ on z/OS
- IBM WebSphere Application Server
- Deep understanding of z/OS, JCL, SMP/E, PARMLIB, storage, and networking.
- Expertise in performance tuning and problem diagnostics using OMEGAMON, RMF, CICS Explorer, MQ Explorer, log analysis, and dumps.
- Knowledge of RACF security, SSL/TLS, certificates, and encryption.
- Scripting experience (REXX, Unix System Services, Python optional).
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Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with CICS, MQ, or WAS migration/upgrades (e.g., CICS TS 6.x, MQ 9.x, WAS 9.x).
- Experience with DevOps / automation (Ansible, Jenkins, Git).
- Familiarity with CICS Transaction Gateway and API enablement tools.
- ITIL Foundation certification and experience in Change, Incident, and Problem Mgmt.
- Knowledge of cloud or hybrid integration (MQ appliances, WAS Liberty).
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Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
- Effective communication and stakeholder coordination.
- Ability to work under pressure during critical incidents.
- High adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies.
Diverse Lynx LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive due consideration for employment without any discrimination. All applicants will be evaluated solely on the basis of their ability, competence and their proven capability to perform the functions outlined in the corresponding role. We promote and support a diverse workforce across all levels in the company.
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