Senior IBM MQ z/OS Consultant

Job#: 3025011

Job Description:

Job Title: Senior IBM MQ z/OS Consultant (Mainframe Messaging Engineer)

Location Options: Rancho Cordova / Sacramento / Vacaville / San Jose, CA

Onsite Requirments: Hybrid / Remote with occasional onsite support

Position Overview

• We are seeking a Senior IBM MQ z/OS Consultant to support our clients Technology's zInfrastructure and OS Support Unit. This role will provide expert technical support for IBM MQ messaging infrastructure running on mainframe (z/OS) systems, ensuring reliable messaging services used by multiple California state agencies.
• The consultant will support installation, configuration, troubleshooting, monitoring, and optimization of MQ environments. The role also includes knowledge transfer, documentation development, and mentoring of junior staff to improve operational readiness and system stability.
• This position functions as senior-level technical staff augmentation, supporting mission-critical messaging services within the State's enterprise data center environment.

Key Responsibilities:

MQ Infrastructure Support

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain IBM MQ on z/OS mainframe platforms
• Monitor queue managers, channels, and message flows to ensure optimal performance
• Troubleshoot and resolve MQ-related incidents in production environments
• Perform capacity planning, performance tuning, and patch management

System Architecture & Optimization

• Review MQ configurations and system architecture
• Identify performance issues and recommend improvements
• Assist with deployment and configuration of MQ software and related applications
• Support upgrades and system changes while maintaining environment stability

Operational Support

• Provide ongoing remote and onsite system support
• Assist with system diagnosis and root-cause analysis
• Maintain and improve MQ operational processes and procedures

Knowledge Transfer

• Develop and maintain documentation, runbooks, and operational procedures
• Provide training and mentoring to state technical staff
• Share best practices related to administration and messaging architecture

Reporting & Collaboration

• Prepare weekly status reports detailing work completed, issues, and risks
• Collaborate with application teams to design messaging solutions
• Participate in technical planning and system improvement discussions

Required Skills:

• IBM z/OS Administration Experience- Minimum 5 years of experience installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and maintaining IBM on z/OS mainframe platforms.
• Operations and Monitoring- Minimum 5 years of experience monitoring and managing: MQ queue managers, messaging channels, message flows, system performance and availability
• Incident Resolution- Minimum 5 years of experience troubleshooting and resolving MQ-related incidents and messaging system issues in enterprise production environments.
• Messaging Architecture Support- Minimum 5 years of experience collaborating with application teams to design and implement messaging solutions using IBM MQ.
• Infrastructure Maintenance- Minimum 5 years of experience performing capacity planning, system upgrades, patch management, and performance tuning for MQ environments.
• Documentation and Operational Procedures- Minimum 5 years of experience developing and maintaining system documentation, runbooks, and operational procedures for enterprise messaging environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience training or mentoring junior technical staff and conducting knowledge transfer sessions.
• Experience supporting mission-critical messaging systems in large enterprise or government environments.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, incidents, and operational activities in a fast-paced infrastructure environment.
• Experience working effectively within cross-functional infrastructure and application teams.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.