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- Tasks: Join a team maintaining a large-scale z/OS environment for 24/7 banking operations.
- Company: Work with a global consultancy delivering critical services to a leading banking client.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options and competitive day rates between £400-£600.
- Why this job: Be part of a specialist role that impacts high-availability platforms in the banking sector.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in CICS support, with strong knowledge of z/OS tools and automation.
- Other info: This is a contract role inside IR35, with a duration of 6 months or more.
Contract Role: CICS System Programmer - Banking Project - Inside IR35
Location: UK (Remote) or Denmark (Hybrid - 10 days/month onsite)
Day Rate: £400-£600 (Inside IR35, via umbrella)
Duration: 6 months+
Start: ASAP
Client: Global Consultancy, End Client in the Banking Sector
Salt is working with a global consultancy delivering critical infrastructure and platform services to a leading banking client. We are recruiting a CICS System Programmer to join their mainframe engineering team, responsible for maintaining a large-scale z/OS environment used for 24/7 operations. This is a specialist role for an experienced CICS contractor who can support both BAU and transformation activity across high-availability platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
- Install, configure, and support CICS software (v5.6) across large data-sharing SysPlex environments
- Perform software upgrades, system tuning, and performance optimisation
- Support cloning, sunsetting, and management of CICS regions
- Participate in incident and problem resolution, including diagnostics and dump analysis
- Collaborate with global teams and vendors to ensure platform stability
- Contribute to automation initiatives and document operational best practices
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Minimum 10 years' experience supporting or customising CICS in mainframe environments
- Minimum 5 years' experience with CICSplex and CICS Explorer
- Strong working knowledge of: Omegamon, Fault Analyzer, IPCS, RACF and SMF 110 records
- SDSF, RMF, and other core z/OS tools
- Experience automating CICS events using CICSplex RTA or similar tools
- Comfortable working in ITIL-aligned, production-critical environments
- Strong problem-solving capability across both infrastructure and application layers
Additional Experience (Desirable):
- COBOL, REXX, Assembler, or PL/1
- Experience supporting MQ or DB2 in CICS environments
- Prior background in banking or financial services projects
Working Model & Compliance:
- UK-based contractors: Remote only. Inside IR35 - umbrella engagement required
- Denmark-based contractors: Hybrid model - 10 working days/month onsite at client office
Background checks will be conducted post-onboarding.
Mainframe CICS System Programmer - Banking employer: Salt Search
Contact Detail:
Salt Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mainframe CICS System Programmer - Banking
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience with CICS in mainframe environments during any discussions. Given the requirement of a minimum of 10 years, be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented or customised CICS.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the tools mentioned in the job description, such as Omegamon and Fault Analyzer. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the banking sector who have experience with CICS. Engaging in conversations about industry trends and challenges can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your problem-solving skills, especially in relation to incident resolution and diagnostics. Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've tackled complex issues in production-critical environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Mainframe CICS System Programmer - Banking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with CICS and mainframe environments. Focus on your 10+ years of relevant experience and any specific projects that demonstrate your skills in software upgrades, system tuning, and performance optimisation.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are the perfect fit for this role. Mention your familiarity with tools like Omegamon and Fault Analyzer, and how your problem-solving capabilities can contribute to the team’s success.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If you have worked on banking or financial services projects, be sure to include these in your application. Detail your contributions and the impact of your work on platform stability and automation initiatives.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a production-critical environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Salt Search
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience with CICS and mainframe environments. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've installed, configured, or optimised CICS software, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Since the role involves incident and problem resolution, be ready to share examples of complex issues you've resolved in previous positions. Discuss your approach to diagnostics and dump analysis, showcasing your analytical thinking and troubleshooting capabilities.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools
Brush up on your knowledge of tools like Omegamon, Fault Analyzer, and CICSplex RTA. Being able to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles will demonstrate your readiness for the position and your ability to contribute to automation initiatives.
✨Understand the Banking Sector
If you have prior experience in banking or financial services, make sure to mention it. If not, do some research on the sector's challenges and trends, as this will show your interest and understanding of the environment you'll be working in.
