Principal CICS Systems Programmer

Overview

Hybrid
$120,000 - $137,000
Full Time

Skills

CICS
Mainframe
Regions

Job Details

Principle CICS Systems Programmer Permanent Position/ Direct Hire Location: Preferred local to Westlake, TX/Merrimack, NH/Raliegh-Durham, NC/Smithfield RI/Marlborough/Boston, MA/Jersey City, NJ (Westlake is preferred)
Preferred industries or clients: Financial Institutions or Insurance institutions and/or credit card companies / All Financial Institutions operate off a Mainframe System.
Day to Day Responsibilities:

  • Team is supporting Mainframe Systems .
  • This candidate ensures reliable, high-performance mainframe infrastructure for critical business applications, while leading a team to enhance system resilience, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement across CICS and data management operations.

In this role, the day-to-day responsibilities would include:

  • System Maintenance & Support: Overseeing CICS transaction servers, VSAM data replication, and disaster recovery on z/OS platforms, ensuring stability and performance for critical business applications.
  • Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Providing guidance and support to team members, resolving complex technical issues, and offering strategic direction on infrastructure design and implementation.
  • Project Management & Communication: Leading high-visibility projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and regularly updating leadership on project statuses, technical solutions, and improvements.

Must Have - Rank in order of importance:

  • 5+ years of Expertise in CICS Systems Support, including: System Dumps, Interfaces, and Internal CICS Operations
  • 7+ years of technical leadership experience with the ability to manage and mentor a team, drive complex projects, and communicate solutions to multiple leadership levels.
  • Expertise with key mainframe tools and languages, including JCL, SMP/E, REXX, VSAM, and diagnostic tools (e.g., IPCS/Dump reading, CAFC, Abend Aid, Intertest), as well as familiarity with programming languages like Assembler, COBOL, and Java.

Define Experience
Programming Languages & Tools They use languages like Assembler, COBOL, and REXX, alongside tools and utilities specific to mainframe systems, including: z/OS, JCL (Job Control Language), SMP/E for software management
How many years of experience? To be presented, must have at least 3+ years of experience.
Degree or certs required? Bachelor's Degree required, no required certs.
What environment/technical ecosystem does your team work in/ is this project in? Mainframe Infrastructure The team operates within a mainframe ecosystem, managing z/OS platforms and providing technical support and maintenance for CICS Transaction Servers and VSAM data replication.
Is this work related to a new application build, migration or maintenance? Maintenance.

Pluses Is there any flexibility around these must haves to be plusses? To be presented, a candidate must have at least 3+ years of experience with CICS.
Are there any other qualifications that would be nice to have? Familiarity with installing an RSU, Recommended Services Update This is regular maintenance for CICS programming.
Current Landscape: IPCS and SMP/E
Where are the current candidates lacking? Previous candidates have lacked the 5+ years of experience with CICS and only have application program experience. This is strictly system programming.
What has been the biggest challenge getting this position filled? It is a niche skill-set, candiates have either lacked the years of experience or not been local to the 5 cities above.
Interview process:

  • First round 1 hour with HM
  • 2nd round, 1 hour, panel interview with the team (3 team members)

Benefits and PTO Package + 25% Bonus:

  • Client offers a variety of benefits, including paid time off (PTO), health insurance, and retirement:
  • Client offers several weeks of PTO, including paid holidays and sick time.
  • Client offers medical insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), and flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
  • Retirement. Client offers a 401(k) plan with company match, as well as profit sharing.
  • Client also offers student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, fitness reimbursement, free online fitness classes, nutrition coaching, career coaching, concierge services, and parental leave.
Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.