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 escalate 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 Please share the profiles along with the details

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Kindly reach me on the below number for any clarifications.

Interested Candidates can share the resume to [email protected]

(Kindly ignore e this mail if you have received it earlier or not interested).

Thanks & Regards,

Heera.M [email protected]

Mobile: +91 (phone hidden)

📌 Cognizant - Permanent - Mainframe MQ Infra Patching Specialist (Bengaluru)
🏢 Nityo Infotech
📍 Bengaluru