IT Principal - Lead Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer

Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned Mainframe CICS Technical Leader to guide and drive modernization, resiliency, and performance strategies across our mission-critical mainframe systems. This individual will serve as the technical authority and visionary for CICS architecture, integration, automation, and operational excellence. If you're a strategic thinker with deep technical skills and a passion for leading complex enterprise environments, we want to talk to you.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as the enterprise SME for CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) across multiple LPARs and CICSPlex environments

Lead modernization initiatives including API enablement, CICS to cloud integrations, and DevOps pipeline enhancements

Drive resiliency and high availability architecture, including CICSPlex workload management, dynamic transaction routing, and disaster recovery design

Guide a team of system programmers, application developers, and architects, fostering growth and knowledge sharing

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including DB2, MQ, Storage, and Network to ensure end-to-end stability and performance

Evaluate and implement automation strategies to reduce MTTR and improve service delivery (e.g., BMC, IBM Z AIOps, custom scripts)

Represent mainframe CICS interests in enterprise planning, risk reviews, and strategic technology roadmaps

Perform root cause analysis of high-impact incidents and lead efforts to eliminate recurring issues

Basic Qualifications:

15+ years of experience in mainframe environments with at least 10 years focused on CICS TS

Deep expertise in CICSPlex/SM, dynamic transaction routing, CICS regions structuring, and program control tables

Proven success implementing CICS High Availability (HA) and failover strategies

Familiarity with related systems: DB2, MQSeries, RACF, JES2/3

Experience with RDO, BMS maps, CICS exits, and inter-region communication

Strong leadership presence, with ability to mentor, influence, and build consensus among technical teams

Demonstrated experience with chaos testing, performance benchmarking, and MIPS optimization a plus

Preferred Skills:

Experience integrating CICS with modern APIs (REST/JSON), Liberty/zCX containers, or cloud-native endpoints

Hands-on with CICS Explorer, Zowe CLI, Sysview/Omegamon, or similar tools

Prior experience in DoD, financial, or highly regulated environments

Knowledge of COBOL, Assembler, and REXX scripting

Why Join Us?

You'll be the linchpin of mainframe modernization in a high-impact environment

Direct influence on enterprise architecture and strategic direction

Culture of excellence, collaboration, and respect for legacy and innovation

Competitive compensation, robust benefits, and the chance to work with some of the sharpest mainframe minds in the industry

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 138,100 - 230,100 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus and long term incentive plan.

We want you to be healthy, balanced, and feel secure. That's why you'll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you'll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k) with company match, company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs, visit Life at Cigna Group.

About The Cigna Group

Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we're dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email: for support. Do not email for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response.

The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.