Principal CICS Systems Programmer

Job Description
Please Note : The Selected candidate must be willing to work on-site in Woodlawn, MD 5 days a week.

Position Description:

• Architect, design, integrate, implement, and manage the operation of large-scale, complex CICS environments (CICSPLEX, CPSM, SYSPLEX) across multiple LPAR mainframe systems.
• Leverage deep expertise in CICS system programming, application development, IBM MQ, CICS Transaction Gateway, SAS, REXX, IBM utilities, SMP/E, z/OSMF, COTS tools, and z/OS to optimize mainframe operations and support application modernization.
• Provide architectural oversight for application development teams, driving operational efficiency through infrastructure design, capacity planning, system integration, and customization. Define and enforce best practices and standards to ensure high availability, disaster recovery, and performance tuning.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies to drive operational efficiency and digital modernization goals. Lead large, complex projects and deliver enterprise-level solutions.
• Mentor and coach technical staff, proactively shaping the vision and supporting cross-functional initiatives to drive mission success.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors, offering technical advice and influencing key stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives and enhance Leidos business outcomes.
• Install, configure, and maintain CICS v6.x and related systems. CICS performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Provide in-depth analysis, debugging, and troubleshooting of CICS applications and systems.
• Support the integration of CICS systems with other enterprise applications and services.
• Work with IBM utilities, including their installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Provide application programming support and user troubleshooting for CICS applications.
• Ensure high-quality documentation of all CICS system configurations, changes, and incidents.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure optimal system performance.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and user support for InterTest, Abend-Aid, CICS MAPR, MacKinney Batch to CICS, and other COTS tools.
• Utilize IBM MQ for z, SAS, REXX, SMP/E, z/OSMF, and CICSplex for system integrations and support as needed.
• Triage, diagnosis, and provide root cause analysis of CICS application software issues, CICS configurations, or CICS software-related problems.
• Perform installation and maintenance of CICS software and third-party vendor software, including researching compatibility, establishing a test plan, and coordinating test activities.
• Provide a project plan and schedule to upgrade CICS and third-party vendor software using SMP/E across System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Maintain and enhance system performance, monitor logs, and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Actively contribute to team discussions, knowledge sharing, and problem resolution.
• Participate in on-call rotations for incident response and system troubleshooting.
• Brief management, customer, team, or vendors using written or oral skills at appropriate technical level for audience
• All other duties as assigned or directed

Key Required Skills:

CICS v6.x System Programming, COTS tools administration (InterTest, Abend-Aid, CICS MAPR), IBM utilities administration, IBM MQ for z/OS administration, and IBM z/OS.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering or a related field.
• Master's or doctorate degree may substitute for required experience
• 8+ years of combined experience with CICS system programming
• 4+ years of combined experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting IBM utilities and COTS tools: InterTest, Abend-Aid, map generator (CICS MAPR), and other similar products.
• 3+ years of experience administering IBM MQ for z/OS.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust. Contract requirement.

Required Skills

• Proven experience architecting, designing, integrating, implementing, and managing the operation of large-scale, complex CICS environments (CICSPLEX, CPSM, SYSPLEX) across multiple LPAR mainframe systems.
• Experience architecting, designing, installing, upgrading, configuring, and troubleshooting IBM MQ for z/OS.
• Proven experience with and deep understanding of CICS v6.x installation, internals, analysis, systems, application debugging and mainframe networking protocols and interfaces.
• Build, configure, and upgrade CICS Transaction Server regions independently.
• Experience customizing and administrating the various IBM subsystems and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) tools.
• Experience installing, maintaining, customizing, and providing user support for CA InterTest for CICS, Compuware Abend-AID for CICS, map generator (CICS/MAPRII 5.3), MacKinney Batch to CICS, and other similar products.
• Experience working with IBM utilities on z/OS V3R1, including installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience using Multiple Virtual System (MVS) components and z/OS Unix System Services (USS) file system.
• Solid knowledge of application programming.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong ability to work with external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional documentation skills, with a focus on detail, clarity, and accuracy.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Self-motivated, independent, and a proactive problem solver.

Desired Skills

• Hands on experience with application programming and CICS Transaction Gateway.
• Working knowledge of SAS and REXX.
• Proficiency with System Modification Program Extended (SMP/E) and IBM z/OS Management Facility (z/OSMF).