Job Description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Principal CICS Systems Programmer to be part of the mission solution and help lead SSA’s Digital Modernization Strategy. Join one of our high performing teams responsible for over 850 CICS regions on IBM Z Series mainframe, accessing databases such as Db2 and IDMS, and middleware such as IBM MQ and over 70,000 users and more than 250 million transactions per day. We serve the Social Security Administration (SSA) and their mission to meet the changing needs of the public, positively impacting at least 65 million American lives per month. We are a team of forward-looking professionals in need of a strong candidate with these key required skills : CICS v6.x System Programming, COTS tools administration (InterTest, Abend-Aid, CICS MAPR), IBM utilities administration, IBM MQ for z/OS administration, and IBM z/OS. 

If this sounds like a mission you want to be a part of, keep reading!

*** Selected candidate must be willing to work on-site in Woodlawn, MD 5 days a week.

TEAM CULTURE

Your passion and values might be a good fit for our teams if you answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Are you looking for a company that puts employees first, with a focus on career, flexibility, and well-being?
• Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues and teammates and believe that the best ideas are fostered in an inclusive environment?
• Are you searching for a team with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive for daily mission success?
• Are you comfortable with proactive outward communication and technical leadership?
• Do you enjoy being a catalyst, solving complex problems, and providing innovative solutions?
• Do you have the flexibility, creativity, and resilience to pivot the mission for success?
• Do you have the courage to make tough ethical decisions with pride, transparency, and respect?

MENTORSHIP & CAREER GROWTH

Our teams are dedicated to supporting new team members in an environment that celebrates knowledge sharing and mentorship. Experienced team members will be assigned to new hires for one-on-one mentoring, collaborative reviews, and coaching on customer engagement to help each new hire successfully onboard and demonstrate their skills. Projects and tasks are assigned in a way that leverages your strengths and will help you further develop your skillset.

DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

Every position we take is more rewarding when you know the why behind it. Know your work makes a difference to support those who need it most. If your passion is enabling life changing service to those around, you this is the place for you. Find you passion in a team environment where all members are valued regardless of contractor or employee status. Find your “Why” with us and take your place in our Leidos Family!!

• Architect, design, integrate, implement, and manage the operation of large-scale, complex CICS environments (CICSPLEX, CPSM, SYSPLEX) across multiple LPAR mainframe systems.

• Leverage deep expertise in CICS system programming, application development, IBM MQ, CICS Transaction Gateway, SAS, REXX, IBM utilities, SMP/E, z/OSMF, COTS tools, and z/OS to optimize mainframe operations and support application modernization.
• Provide architectural oversight for application development teams, driving operational efficiency through infrastructure design, capacity planning, system integration, and customization. Define and enforce best practices and standards to ensure high availability, disaster recovery, and performance tuning.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies to drive operational efficiency and digital modernization goals. Lead large, complex projects and deliver enterprise-level solutions.
• Mentor and coach technical staff, proactively shaping the vision and supporting cross-functional initiatives to drive mission success.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors, offering technical advice and influencing key stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives and enhance Leidos business outcomes.
• Install, configure, and maintain CICS v6.x and related systems. CICS performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Provide in-depth analysis, debugging, and troubleshooting of CICS applications and systems.
• Support the integration of CICS systems with other enterprise applications and services.
• Work with IBM utilities, including their installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Provide application programming support and user troubleshooting for CICS applications.
• Ensure high-quality documentation of all CICS system configurations, changes, and incidents.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure optimal system performance.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and user support for InterTest, Abend-Aid, CICS MAPR, MacKinney Batch to CICS, and other COTS tools.
• Utilize IBM MQ for z, SAS, REXX, SMP/E, z/OSMF, and CICSplex for system integrations and support as needed.
• Triage, diagnosis, and provide root cause analysis of CICS application software issues, CICS configurations, or CICS software-related problems.
• Perform installation and maintenance of CICS software and third-party vendor software, including researching compatibility, establishing a test plan, and coordinating test activities.
• Provide a project plan and schedule to upgrade CICS and third-party vendor software using SMP/E across System Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Maintain and enhance system performance, monitor logs, and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Actively contribute to team discussions, knowledge sharing, and problem resolution.
• Participate in on-call rotations for incident response and system troubleshooting.
• Brief management, customer, team, or vendors using written or oral skills at appropriate technical level for audience
• All other duties as assigned or directed

FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS ( Basic Qualifications )

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering or a related field. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Master’s or doctorate degree may substitute for required experience
• 12+ years of combined experience with CICS system programming
• 8+ years of combined experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting IBM utilities and COTS tools: InterTest, Abend-Aid, map generator (CICS MAPR), and other similar products.
• 3+ years of experience administering IBM MQ for z/OS.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust. Contract requirement. (DO NOT REMOVE)

FACTORS TO HELP YOU SHINE ( Required Skills )

These skills will help you succeed in this position:

• Proven experience architecting, designing, integrating, implementing, and managing the operation of large-scale, complex CICS environments (CICSPLEX, CPSM, SYSPLEX) across multiple LPAR mainframe systems.
• Experience architecting, designing, installing, upgrading, configuring, and troubleshooting IBM MQ for z/OS.

• Proven experience with and deep understanding of CICS v6.x installation, internals, analysis, systems, application debugging and mainframe networking protocols and interfaces.
• Build, configure, and upgrade CICS Transaction Server regions independently.
• Experience customizing and administrating the various IBM subsystems and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) tools.
• Experience installing, maintaining, customizing, and providing user support for CA InterTest for CICS, Compuware Abend-AID for CICS, map generator (CICS/MAPRII 5.3), MacKinney Batch to CICS, and other similar products.
• Experience working with IBM utilities on z/OS V3R1, including installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience using Multiple Virtual System (MVS) components and z/OS Unix System Services (USS) file system. 
• Solid knowledge of application programming.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong ability to work with external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Exceptional documentation skills, with a focus on detail, clarity, and accuracy.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Self-motivated, independent, and a proactive problem solver.

HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (Desired Skills)

Showcase your knowledge of modern development through the following experience or skills:

• Hands on experience with application programming and CICS Transaction Gateway.
• Working knowledge of SAS and REXX.
• Proficiency with System Modification Program Extended (SMP/E) and IBM® z/OS® Management Facility (z/OSMF).

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams and contribute to our communities. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Every position we take is more rewarding when you know the why behind it. Know your work makes a difference to support those who need it most. If your passion is enabling life changing service to those around, you this is the place for you. Find your passion in a team environment where all members are valued regardless of contractor or employee status. We are excited for you to take your place in our Leidos Family.

Are you an US citizen, US resident, or Visa candidate and think you might fit? We recommend you apply and start the conversation today! Join us in supporting our SSA contracts in Woodlawn, Maryland.

ITSSCII

Original Posting Date:

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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