Senior Lead - Mainframe System Programmer - MQ

Senior Lead - Mainframe System Programmer - MQ

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world's leading businesses. With proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

The role involves solving complex problems and identifying potential future issues across the spectrum of platforms and services. You'll be at the forefront of new technology and modernization, working with some of our biggest clients – which means some of the biggest in the world.

Your technical prowess will be put to the test as you troubleshoot critical customer situations and provide timely solutions to keep their systems secure, reliable, and efficient. You'll be the go-to expert for sizing and optimizing systems, ensuring our customers' business performance is always world-class.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the installation, implementation, performance, testing and integrity of a large IBM MQ implementation using SMPE
• Work with Development, Operations, and other technical teams on new and existing MQ project implementations
• Maintain IBM MQ system options for optimum performance and availability
• Maintain and improve MQ operational procedures, standards, and documentation
• Ensure adherence to security policies (RACF/SAF integration) and compliance standards
• Implement and maintain automation for MQ operations (e.g., queue manager recycle, health checks, alerting)
• Work closely with Development, Operations, and infrastructure teams to deliver MQ solutions
• Administer MQ Queue Managers, including configuration, tuning, and performance optimization
• Participate in Disaster Recovery planning and execution, ensuring MQ readiness across data centers
• Monitor MQ system performance, availability, and capacity, taking proactive measures to prevent issues
• Ability to provide global on-call support
• Work with internal and external clients in implementing MQ solutions and problem resolution
• Providing dump analysis and problem determination of root causes related to system problems and outages
• Working with computer operations to quickly resolve incidents and automate operational processes such as IPLs, Queue Manager recycles, and dump processing
• Ensuring High Availability and performance objectives, as required by customers and management are maintained for operating systems and for software components
• Experience setting up, implementing and troubleshooting clusters and queue sharing groups Administration using IBM and Independent Software Vendor products
• Responsible for the administration of Websphere MQ (WMQ) subsystems and associated software on the client's mainframes.
• Install, test, configure and implement mainframe WMQ and associated system software while maintaining a stable operating system environment for business applications.
• Perform WMQ system backups and recovery
• Monitors system activity for performance and availability and where necessary, tune accordingly
• Perform problem diagnosis and resolution.
• Create, maintain, and use automation scripts for MQ for z/OS monitoring, alerting and problem determination and resolution
• Design and Implement security aspects related to MQ.
• Architect/Design Clustering, workload balancing in client environment
• Troubleshoot Infrastructure and Application issues related to MQ
• Evaluate and recommend changes to current and future system software requirements to meet the organization's needs.
• Ensure documentation of all related operational processes and procedures.
• Troubleshoot MQ problems using MQ command line and monitoring tools
• Manage and support Queue Sharing Groups (QSG) and Sysplex environments
• Install, upgrade and maintain MQ for z/OS using Shopz Series and SMP/E Troubleshoot MQ problems using MQ command line and monitoring tools.
• Provide primary and backup on-call support during extended hours (including nights and weekends).

At Kyndryl, we're committed to providing the best possible service to our customers, and as a Systems Management Specialist, you'll be an integral part of that mission. So if you're passionate about technology and want to be part of a dynamic team that's shaping the future of IT infrastructure management – then this role is for you.

Kyndryl's focus on providing innovative IT solutions to its customers means that in Systems Management, you will be working with the latest technology and will have the opportunity to learn and grow your skills. You may also have the opportunity to work on large-scale projects and collaborate with other IT professionals from around the world.

You're good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused – someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you're open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise:

• 8+ Years of experience as a Mainframe MQ System Programmer
• Expertise in MQ for z/OS installation and upgrades (ShopzSeries, SMP/E).
• Strong troubleshooting skills using MQ command line and monitoring tools.
• Experience with MQ Explorer, Tivoli, Omegamon, SYSVIEW, BMC MainView, MQATTACH, ICC.
• Familiarity with MQ clustering and distributed integration
• Knowledge of security configurations, workload management, and automation scripting.
• Install, configure, and maintain WMQ and associated system software.
• Experience with Queue Sharing Groups (QSG) and Coupling Facility
• Monitor system performance & availability, implementing necessary tuning.
• Perform system backups, recovery, and troubleshooting for MQ issues.
• Knowledge of JCL, and z/OS utilities
• Understanding of MQ security (RACF/SAF)
• Develop automation scripts for monitoring, alerting, and issue resolution.
• Ensure security compliance and implement security best practices for MQ.
• Design clustering and workload balancing for high availability.
• Support on-call rotations for extended-hour coverage.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.
• Administration of various MQ objects in Mainframe MQ.
• Automation scripting experience (REXX or similar)

The "Kyn" in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we're excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That's The Kyndryl Way.

Your career with us isn't just a job—it's an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best. From your very first day, you'll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won't just contribute—you'll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth. We're here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you'll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You'll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you'll be part of a culture that values empathy