Mainframe MQ System Programmer – SME

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Africa.

📋 Description

• Install, implement, configure, maintain, and upgrade IBM MQ for z/OS utilizing ShopzSeries and SMP/E.

• Administer extensive Mainframe MQ environments, which include Queue Managers and related MQ objects.

• Configure and sustain MQ system options to enhance performance, availability, and reliability.

• Support and manage Queue Sharing Groups and z/OS Sysplex environments, including integration with Coupling Facility.

• Design, implement, and troubleshoot MQ clustering, workload balancing, and high-availability solutions.

• Conduct MQ problem determination, root-cause analysis, and resolve complex incidents and system outages.

• Troubleshoot MQ issues using MQ commands, diagnostic facilities, logs, dumps, and monitoring tools.

• Perform dump analysis and deliver technical root-cause analysis for MQ-related system issues.

• Monitor MQ performance, availability, capacity, and system health, proactively taking action to avert service degradation.

• Develop and implement performance-tuning strategies for MQ environments.

• Support MQ disaster recovery planning, testing, execution, and validation across data centers.

• Ensure MQ environments fulfill customer requirements for high availability, resilience, performance, and capacity.

• Implement and maintain MQ automation, including health checks, queue manager recycle processes, alerting, monitoring, and automated recovery.

• Create automation scripts using REXX or similar technologies.

• Maintain and enhance MQ operational procedures, standards, technical documentation, and knowledge articles.

• Ensure compliance of MQ environments with security policies and standards, including RACF/SAF integration.

• Collaborate with Security teams to enforce MQ security controls and best practices.

• Assist with MQ-related projects, migrations, upgrades, implementations, and service transitions.

• Work in partnership with Development, Operations, Infrastructure, Network, Security, Storage, Automation, and other technical teams.

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to other MQ System Programmers and Mainframe support teams.

• Engage directly with customers to understand their needs, offer technical recommendations, and resolve complex technical issues.

• Participate in change management, implementation planning, testing, and post-implementation validation.

• Contribute to continuous improvement, modernization, automation, and service optimization initiatives.

• Deliver primary and backup on-call support, including nights, weekends, and public holidays as required.

• Offer global support and collaborate with teams distributed across different locations.

• Maintain a focus on customer satisfaction, operational stability, security, and service-level commitments.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 8 years of experience as a Mainframe IBM MQ System Programmer.

• Extensive experience in supporting IBM MQ for z/OS within large and complex enterprise environments.

• Strong expertise in MQ installation, implementation, configuration, maintenance, and upgrades.

• Hands-on experience with ShopzSeries and SMP/E.

• Strong background in MQ Queue Manager administration and MQ object configuration.

• Proven experience with Queue Sharing Groups (QSGs) and Sysplex environments.

• Knowledge and practical experience with Coupling Facility configurations supporting MQ.

• Experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting MQ clusters and workload balancing.

• Excellent MQ troubleshooting and problem-determination skills utilizing MQ commands and diagnostic/monitoring tools.

• Familiarity with MQ Explorer, IBM OMEGAMON, SYSVIEW, BMC MainView, MQATTACH, and ICC.

• Strong understanding of MQ security and integration with RACF/SAF.

• Experience in MQ performance monitoring, capacity management, tuning, and optimization.

• Experience in supporting MQ high availability and disaster recovery solutions.

• Knowledge of MQ backup, recovery, restart, and recovery procedures.

• Experience with automation and scripting, particularly with REXX or similar scripting technologies.

• Good understanding of JCL and z/OS utilities.

• Experience collaborating with Development, Operations, Infrastructure, and other technical teams.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Experience conducting technical root-cause analysis and supporting major incidents.

• Ability to work effectively in a customer-facing environment.

• Willingness and capability to participate in an extended-hours/global on-call rotation.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred).

• IBM MQ certification or relevant IBM Mainframe certification (preferred).

• Experience with MQ modernization, migration, and transformation projects.

• Experience in implementing MQ automation and operational tooling.

• Familiarity with enterprise monitoring and automation platforms.

• Experience integrating MQ with distributed and enterprise application environments.

• Knowledge of z/OS system programming and related Mainframe subsystems.

• Experience working within ITIL-based service management frameworks.

• Strong skills in technical documentation and knowledge transfer.

• Prior experience in a managed services or large enterprise customer environment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Flexible, supportive work environment.

• Prioritization of well-being.

• Be Well programs that support financial, mental, physical, and social health.

• Personalized development goals and continuous feedback.

• Opportunities for certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

• Coaching and hands-on learning experiences.

• Access to cutting-edge learning opportunities.

• Support for career-pathing and professional development.

• Full-time employment.