Senior CICS Systems Programmer (hybrid/remote) in Belfast

At Allstate, great things happen when our people work together to protect families and their belongings from life’s uncertainties. For more than 90 years, our innovative drive has kept us a step ahead of our customers’ evolving needs.

Your role in the team

We are seeking a Senior CICS Systems Programmer with hands‑on mainframe experience to lead, support, and modernize enterprise CICS environments. This role is deeply infrastructure‑focused and responsible for the stability, performance, scalability, and modernization of mission‑critical transaction systems. The ideal candidate is a seasoned CICS systems engineer who understands both the traditional strengths of CICS and its evolution into a modern API‑enabled platform.

Job Description

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain CICS/TS across multiple LPARs (DEV/TEST/QA/PROD).
• Design and manage CICS regions, including TORs, AORs, FORs, and coupling facility structures.
• Own and deliver high availability, resiliency, and disaster recovery strategies for CICS environments.
• Perform capacity planning, performance tuning, and MIPS optimization.
• Troubleshoot complex CICS issues such as storage violations, abends, region hangs, and performance degradation.
• Integrate CICS with z/OS Connect, MQ, DB2, IMS, and distributed platforms.
• Support API enablement, including SOAP‑to‑REST modernization and secure transaction exposure.
• Ensure secure connectivity using RACF, TLS, digital certificates, and network controls.
• Drive automation using SMP/E, REXX, JCL, Ansible, and vendor tooling.
• Reduce technical debt via proactive upgrades, feature enablement, and component decommissioning.
• Collaborate with application teams to modernize legacy interfaces while preserving system stability.

Essential Criteria

• All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. Allstate is unable to provide sponsorship for this position.
• A minimum of 5 years CICS Systems Programming experience in large‑scale enterprise environments including installation, maintenance and configuration of the product.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience with z/OS systems (JES, SMF, WLM, SMP/E etc.), performance tuning and problem determination.
• Availability for on‑call support; the successful candidate will be part of the escalation path for out‑of‑hours on‑call support.

Desirable Criteria

• Prior leadership / team leader experience.
• Experience of configuring z/OS Connect.
• Familiarity with CPSM.
• Exposure to MQ, z/OS Connect, and mainframe networking concepts.
• Some experience in Programming/Scripting tools such as COBOL, REXX, Python etc.
• Exposure supporting 24x7, high‑volume transaction systems.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job does not have supervisory duties.

Skills

• Application Infrastructure
• IT Infrastructure
• Project Management
• Solution Engineering
• Strategic Collaborations

Technical Knowledge

Why join us?

Allstate NI is proud to be Allstate’s European Digital Centre of Excellence—recent winners of ‘Best Use of Cloud Services’ at the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024, and recognised for our community and sustainability impact at the 2024 Business in the Community Awards and Gold accreditation for Environmental Responsibility. We’re a product‑driven, cloud‑first organisation delivering real outcomes through modern technology, a digital product‑centric talent model, and a culture rooted in engineering excellence. Our teams work in cross‑functional structures, guided by an outcome‑based delivery approach that accelerates speed, agility, and value.

We offer:

• A generous, flexible benefits package including annual leave, healthcare and dental cover, pension, and lifestyle discounts.
• Access to world‑class learning platforms and award‑winning L&D.
• Clear career paths, internal mobility, and a strong focus on growth.
• A people‑first culture with flexible working options.
• Be part of a high‑performing, socially responsible organisation where your work has purpose, and your growth is supported every step of the way.

Statement on Fair Employment and Equal Opportunities

Allstate NI wishes to ensure equal opportunity is given to all job applicants. This company will not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender (including gender reassignment status), sexual orientation, religious belief, political opinion, marital status, age or disability. We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as women are currently under‑represented in our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from women. All appointments will be made on merit. Applicants should note Allstate NI complete AccessNI background checks on all candidates offered a position.