Cognizant - Permanent - Mainframe MQ Infra Patching Specialist

Nityo Infotech Limited; Kolkata District, Pune District, Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Nityo Infotech Limited is seeking an MQ Infrastructure Patching Specialist to perform IBM MQ patching and maintenance on IBM z/OS across multiple offshore locations. The role requires hands-on patching experience and the ability to work within a hybrid model, with onshore coordination.

The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years in IBM z/OS systems programming, strong SMP/E knowledge, and experience with change management tooling. Rotation and off-hours shift coverage are expected.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in IBM z/OS systems programming or mainframe operations with MQ patching.
• Knowledge of SMP/E and z/OS maintenance (PTFs, APARs, HOLDDATA).
• Familiar with JES2/JES3, RACF, CICS, DB2, IMS, with MQ depth.
• Experience with change management tools (ServiceNow).
• Understanding of vulnerability management and HIPER PTFs.
• Willingness to work rotational shifts across time zones.

Responsibilities

• Execute IBM MQ patching and maintenance on IBM z/OS.
• Perform SMP/E maintenance and MQ-related tasks.
• Maintain MQ runbooks and SOPs; update with each patch cycle.
• Assess maintenance for HIPER/security risks and communicate priorities.
• Complete patch testing, rollback plans, and go/no-go docs.
• Coordinate changes via CAB/change management and document activities.
• Support off-hours and weekend patch windows.
• Liaise with onshore lead and report patch compliance.
• Assist with audits and vulnerability scans as needed.
• Handoffs with offshore team to ensure continuity.

Skills

MQ patching

z/OS

SMP/E

Change management

Offshore coordination

Troubleshooting

Tools

ServiceNow

RSU/CSI

HIPER handling

Job description

Hi,
Currently we are looking for Mainframe MQ Infra Patching Specialist for Cognizant Location @Chennai/Kolkata/Bangalore/Pune. Pls find the below details

Experience: 4 - 10 Years
Work location: Chennai/Pune/Bangalore/Kolkata
Work Mode: Hybrid

Skills

MQ Infrastructure Patching Specialist

IBM MQ Patch & Maintenance Execution (z/OS) Offshore

Department: IT Infrastructure / Mainframe Operations

Reports To: Mainframe Infrastructure Patching Lead (Onshore)

Level: Mid-Senior Individual Contributor

Employment Type: Full-Time

Platform: IBM z/OS (IBM MQ primary subsystem)

Team Structure: Offshore mainframe operations team member, working under the technical direction of the onshore Mainframe Infrastructure Patching Lead

Shift: Rotational shift; off-business-hours and weekend patch windows should be expected to align with onshore change and maintenance schedules

Position Summary

The MQ Infrastructure Patching Specialist is a mid-senior individual contributor responsible for the hands-on execution of IBM MQ patch and maintenance activities across the organization's IBM z/OS environment, working under the technical direction of the onshore Mainframe Infrastructure Patching Lead. This role owns day-to-day patch installation, regression testing, and validation for MQ, and also performs general SMP/E maintenance (PTFs/APARs) across related z/OS subsystems as directed. The Specialist maintains and refines MQ-specific runbooks and standards, executes within the patching calendar and change process set by the onshore lead, and escalates issues promptly through defined channels. This role requires strong hands-on MQ and z/OS maintenance skills, disciplined documentation, and the ability to work reliably during rotational and off-hours patch windows.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute IBM MQ patch and maintenance activities on IBM z/OS, including SMP/E maintenance (PTFs, APARs, RSU/CSI application) for MQ and related subsystems, under the direction of the onshore Patching Lead.
• Perform general z/OS subsystem patching support (e.g., CICS, DB2, IMS, RACF) as assigned, in addition to MQ as the primary area of ownership.
• Own and maintain MQ-specific runbooks, checklists, and standard operating procedures, keeping them current with each patch cycle and incorporating lessons learned.
• Assess incoming IBM and ISV maintenance for MQ for applicability and risk; flag HIPER, security, and integrity PTFs to the onshore lead for prioritization.
• Carry out patch installs, regression testing, and validation within the patch calendar and change windows defined by the onshore lead.
• Prepare patch testing results, rollback plans, and go/no-go documentation for review and approval by the onshore lead prior to production implementation.
• Execute changes through the CAB/change management process (e.g., ServiceNow), ensuring accurate and timely documentation of all patch activity.
• Support rotational shift coverage, including off-business-hours and weekend patch windows, to align with onshore maintenance and change freeze schedules.
• Act as the first point of contact for patch-related issues during assigned shifts; perform initial troubleshooting and elevate to the onshore lead per defined escalation paths.
• Track and report patch compliance status, outstanding maintenance, and remediation progress for the MQ estate to the onshore lead.
• Support InfoSec and audit requests related to MQ vulnerability scans and compliance findings (e.g., PCI-DSS, SOX, internal controls) as directed.
• Participate in structured handoffs and sync checkpoints with the onshore team to maintain continuity across time zones.

Required Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in IBM z/OS systems programming or mainframe infrastructure operations, with hands-on IBM MQ patching/maintenance experience.
• Working knowledge of SMP/E and z/OS maintenance processes (PTFs, APARs, HOLDDATA, RSU/CSI management).
• Solid working knowledge of z/OS and core subsystems (JES2/JES3, RACF, CICS, DB2, IMS, or similar), with MQ as primary depth area.
• Experience executing patching work under the direction of a lead or manager, including preparing documentation for review and approval.
• Experience with change management processes and tooling (e.g., ServiceNow) in a regulated enterprise environment.
• Familiarity with vulnerability management and security patch prioritization concepts (e.g., HIPER, security/integrity PTFs).
• Solid troubleshooting skills and experience following rollback/contingency plans.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to maintain clear runbooks and handoff documentation for an onshore counterpart.
• Willingness and ability to work rotational shifts, including off-hours and weekend patch windows, with time-zone overlap with the onshore team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated patch deployment or maintenance tracking tools.
• Familiarity with IBM zPCR and Fix Category management.
• Exposure to parallel sysplex environments and multi-LPAR patching coordination.
• Prior experience working in an offshore delivery model supporting onshore infrastructure teams.
• ITIL Foundation certification or equivalent change/incident management exposure.

Key Competencies

• Disciplined, detail-oriented execution of patching activities within defined standards and timelines.

Clear, proactive communication with the onshore lead, especially during incidents or escalati