Senior Middleware/Messaging Engineer

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Middleware / Messaging Engineer with deep expertise in IBM WebSphere MQ running on the z/OS mainframe to administer, operate, and continuously improve enterprise messaging and integration services. The role ensures the stability, availability, performance, and security of mainframe-hosted MQ queue managers and the integration flows they support, delivered to contracted SLOs within a managed-services operating model.

The engineer bridges the Integration & Runtime Services messaging scope with the mainframe (z/OS) environment - operating MQ alongside mainframe scheduling, security, and file-transfer services (Connect:Direct between mainframe and open systems). The role also supports the enterprise modernization direction, contributing to the containerization and consolidation roadmap for runtime and messaging services and to AI-driven monitoring and automation.

Responsibilities:

• Administer, operate, and maintain IBM WebSphere MQ on z/OS - queue managers, queues, channels, clustering, and connectivity to distributed MQ - to meet availability, stability, and security targets.
• Perform MQ lifecycle activities including patching, upgrades, currency, and capacity planning across mainframe and connected environments.
• Operate and tune messaging and integration flows on z/OS, applying security and compliance controls across integration points (RACF, SOX/audit).
• Monitor MQ and mainframe runtime platforms to detect and prevent service disruptions; provide incident resolution and root cause analysis for messaging and integration issues.
• Support and coordinate IBM Connect:Direct file transfers between mainframe and open systems, ensuring reliable and secure data exchange.
• Automate operational tasks using JCL, Autosys, CA7, and mainframe scripting to reduce manual effort and improve resilience.
• Implement backup, recovery, and disaster-recovery practices for MQ and mainframe messaging services, with evidence and runbooks.
• Maintain centralized documentation, standard operating procedures, and best practices for runtime, messaging, and integration services. .
• Collaborate with application, architecture, security, and container-platform teams to align messaging services with enterprise architecture.
• Contribute to the modernization roadmap - containerization and consolidation of runtime/messaging services, and AI-driven observability and automation - while sustaining mainframe BAU.

The salary range for this role is between $114,000 and $130,000 depending on skills and qualifications of the candidate. Applications will be accepted till 10/20/2026.

Additional employment information

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.

About Cognizant:

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.