Job#: 3030405 Job Description: Lead Infrastructure Engineer - Mainframe MQ
Location: Jersey City, NJ, Columbus, OH, or Plano, TX
Schedule: Onsite Monday-Friday
Employment Type: Contract to start
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Mainframe MQ Consultant to join a global enterprise infrastructure team. This role is responsible for the full lifecycle support of MQ on the mainframe. This is a hands-on, production-critical position supporting a high-visibility environment. The ideal candidate will possess deep mainframe MQ expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to integrate into a collaborative, high-performing team where personality fit is as important as technical capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide end-to-end support for the mainframe MQ infrastructure.
- Install, configure, and maintain MQ products on z/OS.
- Build and manage queue managers and related components.
- Partner with business and technical teams to design MQ solutions.
- Troubleshoot and resolve production issues in a mission-critical environment.
- Support standardization and modernization initiatives.
- Provide global on-call support as part of the team's rotation.
- Collaborate with global team members.
Required Qualifications
- Formal training or certification on Infrastructure Engineering concepts and 5+ years of applied experience.
- Strong hands-on experience working in mainframe (z/OS) environments.
- In-depth experience with IBM MQ on the z/OS platform, including installation, maintenance, and implementation.
- Solid understanding of IBM MQ concepts, including SYSPLEX technology, Queue Manager, queues, channels, and clustering for load balancing and failover.
- Experience with source control tools such as Endevor or Changeman.
- Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of RACF/ACF2 security.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a global team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep, senior-level mainframe MQ infrastructure experience.
- Coding or scripting experience (e.g., Python, Java, JCL, REXX, Ansible).
- Experience working in large financial institutions or other mainframe-heavy enterprises.
- Knowledge of tuning Message Queuing using System Management Facility records.
- Understanding of cloud, virtualization, APIs, and modern software languages.
Work Environment
This position requires being on-site five days a week in one of the specified hub locations. You will be part of a fast-paced, globally distributed team of approximately 22 members with a collaborative and supportive culture. The role involves production support responsibilities and requires collaboration across different time zones.
This employer is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.
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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.
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