Mainframe MQ Specialist

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe MQ Specialist who can operate independently in a complex environment. This role requires a true hands-on MQ professional with strong mainframe expertise. This is not a teaching opportunity-contractors must already possess solid mainframe and MQ skills on day one.

Core Technical Requirements (Must-Have)

• Extensive hands-on IBM MQ experience on the mainframe
  • Able to tune and optimize MQ performance.
  • Able to develop or utilize reporting to identify MQ issues and recommend improvements.
• Strong mainframe knowledge and navigation capabilities
  • Must be comfortable working directly on z/OS.
  • Able to support day-to-day MQ activities, changes, and operations with minimal oversight.
• Ability to backfill SME tasks
  • Internal MQ SMEs will be moved to a major project; this contractor must be capable of picking up a wide variety of MQ-related work across a large, complex environment.
• Excellent communication skills are required.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with IIB is a plus.
• Broader mainframe MQ "jack-of-all-trades" experience is highly beneficial.

Location Requirements

Candidates must be able to commute onsite 5 days per week to one of the following client locations:

• Jersey City, NJ 575 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310
• Plano, TX 8181 Communications Pkwy Bldg F, Plano, TX 75024
• Columbus, OH 1111 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240

Remote or hybrid work is NOT permitted.

Job details from the director:

"I have 2 spots to fill. 1 is for a Mainframe MQ Systems Programmer (must be fluent in Mainframe access and MQ). This is a 12-month engagement. 2 is someone on the mainframe with tuning knowledge of MQ. This is a 6-month engagement or until my budget is exhausted."

Must be on site 5 days a week. Can be in Plano, TX or Columbus, OH or Jersey City, NJ. Can mix and match with 1 in one location and 1 in another location.

Here are the 2 spots I am looking to fill with contractors and the skills needed:

Requirements for the 1-year contract:

(Looking for as much of these skills as we can get):

• In-depth experience with IBM MQ/IIB functionality, design, integration, and implementation.
• Performing MQ and IIB systems programming in a zSeries operating system environment involving maintenance.
• Provide MQ administration support to multiple applications.
• With analysis, plan, MQ upgrades to new version and apply maintenance. Experience with installation, maintaining, and implementation of z/OS and ISV software .
• Understanding Queue Manager, queues, channels and other MQ objects.
• Add queue managers to clusters, queue sharing group for load balancing and failover.
• Provide technical expertise throughout the software lifecycle including design, implementation, and delivery.
• Understanding cloud, virtualization, APIs, and modern software languages.
• Software development experience in one or more general purpose programming languages: Python, Java, Go, JCL, REXX, PERL, PHP, JYTHON, zOSMF Workflows, J2EE, MVC, JDBC, Servlets, Ansible.
• Understanding or have experience with agile and lean philosophies.
• A Plus is knowledge of tuning MQ using SMF or other reporting.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with clear communication.
• Ability to collaborate with different roles to achieve common goals
• Understanding of RACF/ACF2 security.
• Understanding SYSPLEX technology
• Must be work well within the team.

Requirements for Second contractor:

6-month contract or until budget is depleted: