Cics System Programmer z/os mainframe

Job Title: CICS Systems Programmer z/OS Mainframe

Locations: Bangalore, Noida, Chennai

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Mode: Hybrid

Experience: 5-8 years

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced CICS Systems Programmer to join our dedicated mainframe infrastructure team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the installation, customization, maintenance, and performance tuning of IBM CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) environments on z/OS. This role is crucial for ensuring the stability, availability, and optimal performance of our mission-critical online transaction processing systems. The CICS Systems Programmer will work closely with application development teams, z/OS Systems Programmers, DB2 DBAs, MQ Administrators, and operations staff to provide expert-level support and strategic guidance for our CICS environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• CICS Installation & Customization: Plan, prepare, and execute installations, upgrades, and migrations of IBM CICS TS across various versions (e.g., CICS TS 5.x to 6.x). Perform comprehensive customization of CICS regions, including system initialization parameters (SIT), resource definitions (DFHRPL, DFHCSD, PPT, JCT, DCT, FCT, PCT, etc.), and startup JCL. Apply IBM maintenance (PTFs, APARs) to CICS TS and related products using SMP/E.
• CICS Maintenance & Support: Provide expert-level support for CICS production and development environments, diagnosing and resolving complex CICS-related incidents and problems promptly. Analyze CICS dumps, traces, logs, and messages. Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 support of critical CICS systems. Manage and maintain CICS security definitions with RACF/ACF2/Top Secret.
• Performance Monitoring & Tuning: Monitor CICS region health, transaction response times, CPU utilization, storage usage, and other KPIs using Omegamon, CICS Performance Analyzer, and SMF data. Analyze performance data and recommend tuning improvements. Work with application teams to optimize CICS application performance and resource consumption.
• CICS Connectivity & Integration: Configure and maintain CICS connectivity to other mainframe subsystems such as DB2, MQ, IMS DB/DC, VSAM, and external systems. Troubleshoot inter-region communication (MRO, ISC) and distributed program link (DPL) issues. Support CICS web services and RESTful API integration.
• ISV Product Management: Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain various ISV products that integrate with CICS.
• Automation & Scripting: Develop and maintain JCL, REXX, CLISTs, and other scripts for CICS administration, monitoring, automation, and problem diagnosis.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Work closely with development teams, providing guidance and support for new application deployments. Create and maintain documentation for CICS installations, configurations, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides. Adhere to ITIL best practices.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Participate in planning, testing, and execution of disaster recovery procedures for CICS environments.

Required Skills and Experience:

• 5–8 years of hands-on experience as a CICS Systems Programmer on z/OS.
• In-depth knowledge of IBM CICS TS installation, customization, maintenance, and problem determination.
• Strong proficiency in SMP/E, CICS Resource Definition Online (RDO), JCL, TSO/ISPF, REXX/CLIST.
• Experience with CICS performance monitoring tools (Omegamon, CICS PA, SMF).
• Knowledge of CICS connectivity options (MRO, ISC, IPIC, EXCI) and integration with DB2, MQ, VSAM.
• Understanding of mainframe security (RACF, ACF2, Top Secret).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Desired Skills (Plus Points):

• CICS Web Services, JSON, RESTful API integration, CTG administration, CICS-DB2 attachment, IBM MQ configuration, Agile/DevOps familiarity, certifications related to CICS or z/OS.

Education Qualification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, or related field. Relevant mainframe certifications are a plus.