Mainframe Systems Programmer

  • New Zealand
  • Auckland
  • Permanent
  • Paid on-call and standby

Talent’s client is looking for a highly experienced Mainframe Systems Programmer to take ownership of critical CICS & MQ environments supporting high-volume, transaction-heavy systems. This is a long-term opportunity (5-year programme) where you’ll play a key role in ensuring performance, resilience, and stability across mission-critical platforms.
This role suits a true SME who enjoys working at depth in complex z/OS environments and being a go-to expert within a lean, high-impact team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Install, upgrade, and maintain IBM CICS TS and IBM MQ on z/OS (SMP/E)
  • Manage and optimise CICS regions (TOR/AOR/FOR) and CICSPlex SM environments
  • Configure and administer MQ (Queue Managers, Channels, Clusters, QSGs)
  • Monitor and tune performance using RMF/SMF, OMEGAMON, Sysview
  • Troubleshoot complex incidents (abends, dumps, MQ issues, channel failures)
  • Design and support high availability & disaster recovery solutions
  • Drive automation (REXX, JCL, z/OSMF) and reduce manual overhead
  • Implement and manage RACF/ACF2 security controls
  • Partner with application, DB, and infrastructure teams on CICS-MQ integration

What You’ll Bring

  • Deep expertise in CICS TS on z/OS (architecture, config, tuning)
  • Strong experience with CICSPlex SM across multiple regions
  • Proven background in IBM MQ (MQ Series) on z/OS
  • Solid z/OS fundamentals: JCL, TSO/ISPF, SMP/E, JES2, SMF/RMF
  • Experience with high-volume transaction processing environments
  • Strong troubleshooting capability across CICS & MQ ecosystems
  • Automation experience using REXX / JCL

Nice to have:

  • Exposure to DB2, IMS, and modern integration patterns (APIs, Java/COBOL)
  • Advanced dump analysis and IBM support engagement

Team & Culture

  • Small, high-performing team (NZ + offshore collaboration)
  • You’ll often be the local SME and key point of contact
  • Strong focus on ownership, reliability, and collaboration
  • Shared on-call model (with additional compensation)

Benefits & Perks

  • Competitive Salary
  • Long-term stability – 5-year programme
  • Hybrid working
  • Paid on-call and standby allowances
  • Opportunity to work on large-scale, mission-critical systems

If you’re a senior CICS/MQ specialist looking for a role where you can truly own the environment and make an impact then apply using link.

Apply now

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