Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer Senior

USAA•San Antonio, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

USAA Mainframe Infrastructure team is looking for Senior level Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer professional responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and tuning of IBM's Customer Information Control System (CICS) on mainframe z/OS operating systems. At USAA, CICS is a middleware platform crucial for managing high-volume, online transaction processing. The core responsibilities of a Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer include: System Installation and Maintenance: Installing, configuring, upgrading, and maintaining CICS Transaction Server and related software. This involves applying vendor patches, fixes, and new product releases, often using tools like SMP/E. Performance and Capacity Management: Monitoring CICS system performance, identifying bottlenecks, and tuning CICS regions to meet service level agreements (SLAs). This may involve analyzing performance data using tools such as Intellimagic, RMF and BMC Mainview. Problem Resolution: Troubleshooting and debugging complex system and application issues, which can include analyzing system dumps and collaborating with application developers and software vendors for solutions. Developer Support: Providing technical support to application development teams, which includes setting up and managing CICS regions and defining necessary application resources. System Integration: Working with other z/OS systems programmers to integrate CICS with other mainframe subsystems, such as DB2 (database management) and MQ (messaging). Security and Disaster Recovery: Implementing and maintaining CICS security protocols (e.g., using RACF) and assisting in the planning, testing, and execution of disaster recovery procedures. Automation: Developing and implementing automation scripts (e.g., using REXX) to streamline system management and improve efficiency. This role requires a strong understanding of CICS architecture, z/OS operating systems, and related mainframe technologies. Proficiency in programming languages like COBOL, JCL, and REXX, along with experience in mainframe tools and utilities, is essential. The work environment is typically dynamic and may require after-hours or on-call support to maintain the availability of mission-critical applications. Responsible for creating, modifying, maintaining and supporting infrastructure and individual and integrated system components and solutions that enable IT Services. Balance availability, security, efficiency and functional requirements to help provide an optimized production service. Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities and ensure these risks are effectively identified and escalated to be measured, monitored and controlled. We offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position can be based in one of the following locations: San Antonio, TX or Plano, TX. Relocation assistance is not available for this position. What you'll do: Independently designs scalable IT system infrastructure, provides oversight and priority for system change - reserves execution for complex implementations, and automates service delivery and maintenance tasks; provides direction and priority for monitoring and tooling activities. Independently resolves highly complex technology production issues and leads troubleshooting of end-to-end solutions that span across multiple systems. Leads analysis of end-to-end system failures to identify opportunities across multiple systems. Makes recommendations to business leaders on best solutions. Independently experiments with new patterns and technologies. Helps establish and improve engineering best practices, concepts, and patterns with peers and the business. Understands the customer and proactively identifies innovative solutions and ideas for the product/business. Mentors' engineers, coach engineers on design, development, and maintenance of systems. Develop software defined infrastructure in code in CI/CD Pipelines. Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or 4 additional years of experience beyond the minimum requirement can be used in lieu of a degree.
6 years of infrastructure experience demonstrating depth of technical understanding within a specific discipline(s)/technology(s).
2 years' experience in Systems Operations environment supporting complex environment deployment and infrastructure management activities or applicable IT experience such as IT Management, Software Development, Data Engineering, and Agile Product/Release Management.
4 years of experience in creating, modifying, and maintaining infrastructure and individual system components.
Advanced level of business acumen in the areas of business operations, risk management, industry practices and emerging trends.
Knowledge and proficient understanding of designing scalable IT system infrastructures, implementing system changes, or automating service delivery and maintenance tasks.
Demonstrated experience working with cloud technologies and tools.
Extensive CICS Experience: Typically, 7-10+ years of hands-on experience as a CICS Systems Programmer in a z/OS mainframe environment.
Deep knowledge of CICS Transaction Server (TS), CTG, and CPSM architecture, internals, and system exits.
Strong expertise in CICS installation, configuration, and maintenance, often including complex Independent Software Vendor (ISV) installations and upgrades.
Proficient in JCL, REXX, and other mainframe scripting languages.
Experience with SMP/E (System Modification Program/Extended) for installing and maintaining software.
In-depth knowledge of z/OS operating systems, including configuration, maintenance, and tuning.
Experience with CICS performance tuning and the use of monitoring tools (e.g., RMF, Intellimagic, BMC Mainview).
Understanding of other z/OS subsystems such as DB2, MQ, JES2, z/OS connect, IMS and TCP/IP.
Experience with CICS security, often using RACF or equivalent tools.
Familiarity with automation tools, job scheduling, and monitoring tools.
Experience with disaster recovery planning and testing.
Understanding of mainframe hardware and architecture to optimize system performance.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with COBOL, Assembler, and PL/I is also beneficial.
IBM Certified Specialist – CICS Transaction Server for z/OS: This certification is desired.

Responsibilities

Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain CICS Transaction Server and related software.
Apply vendor patches, fixes, and new product releases using tools like SMP/E.
Monitor CICS system performance, identify bottlenecks, and tune CICS regions to meet SLAs.
Analyze performance data using tools such as Intellimagic, RMF, and BMC Mainview.
Troubleshoot and debug complex system and application issues, including analyzing system dumps.
Collaborate with application developers and software vendors for solutions.
Provide technical support to application development teams, including setting up and managing CICS regions and defining application resources.
Integrate CICS with other mainframe subsystems like DB2 and MQ.
Implement and maintain CICS security protocols (e.g., using RACF).
Assist in planning, testing, and executing disaster recovery procedures.
Develop and implement automation scripts (e.g., using REXX) to streamline system management.
Design scalable IT system infrastructure.
Provide oversight and priority for system change execution for complex implementations.
Automate service delivery and maintenance tasks.
Provide direction and priority for monitoring and tooling activities.
Resolve highly complex technology production issues and lead troubleshooting of end-to-end solutions.
Lead analysis of end-to-end system failures to identify opportunities across multiple systems.
Make recommendations to business leaders on best solutions.
Experiment with new patterns and technologies.
Establish and improve engineering best practices, concepts, and patterns.
Understand the customer and proactively identify innovative solutions and ideas.
Mentor and coach engineers on design, development, and maintenance of systems.
Develop software-defined infrastructure in code in CI/CD Pipelines.
Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled.