z/OS Connect Specialist / System Administrator

z/OS Connect Specialist / System Administrator

Remote

Exp: 14+

As a z/OS Connect Specialist / System Administrator you will solve complex technical problems and support modernization across mainframe platforms and services. You will work with critical enterprise clients to enable secure API integration between core mainframe applications and modern distributed, digital, and cloud platforms.

There is no typical day in this role, as each client environment and integration requirement may be different. You will be responsible for supporting z/OS Connect runtime environments, configuring API services, managing security, troubleshooting production issues, supporting deployments, and working closely with application, infrastructure, security, network, and architecture teams.

You will also contribute to modernization initiatives by helping expose mainframe applications and data through secure REST APIs, improving integration capabilities, reducing operational risk, and supporting faster delivery of business requirements.

Not only will you be responsible for ensuring the security of our computer systems, but you''ll also work closely with other IT professionals to design and implement cutting-edge technology that keeps Kyndryl ahead of the curve.

In this role, you''ll provide the underlying Mainframe operating system platform programming and DBDC subsystem programming support that forms the backbone of our applications. You''ll guide functional objectives on technologies and make use of your expert knowledge to drive solutions to complex problems.

As a leader in this field, you''ll also be expected to conduct RCA discussions for the products you work on and provide ongoing technical and operational guidance to lead professional work teams. You may even manage departments on a national or international level, defining objectives and managing resources to ensure the success of your projects.

Your expertise will be crucial in influencing people outside of your department or function, and you''ll have the opportunity to directly shape the technology landscape of the world we live in. If you''re looking for an exciting and challenging role in the fast-paced world of systems programming, Kyndryl is the place for you!

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, customize, upgrade, and maintain IBM z/OS Connect environments.
• Perform end-to-end administration of z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition, including runtime setup, server configuration, API/service deployment, security configuration, and operational support.
• Configure and manage z/OS Connect server.xml, started tasks, runtime libraries, configuration files, and related system components.
• Support API provider and API requester configurations within z/OS Connect.
• Create, deploy, validate, and troubleshoot REST API services using JSON, OpenAPI/Swagger definitions, and service archives.
• Configure and support backend integration with:
• CICS
• IMS
• Db2
• MQ
• Batch or REST-enabled mainframe services
• Administer and troubleshoot WebSphere Liberty profile components used by z/OS Connect.
• Configure and manage security for z/OS Connect environments, including:
• RACF / SAF authentication and authorization
• TLS / SSL certificates
• Keyrings and keystores
• User and group access controls
• API-level security policies
• Support certificate management, secure communication, network connectivity, and port configuration.
• Troubleshoot z/OS Connect startup issues, API invocation failures, backend connectivity problems, security failures, response delays, and runtime errors.
• Analyze logs, traces, dumps, Liberty messages, z/OS Connect diagnostics, and system logs to resolve technical issues.
• Support performance monitoring, tuning, and capacity review for z/OS Connect API workloads.
• Work with application teams to expose existing mainframe transactions and data as secure APIs.
• Collaborate with architecture, security, network, middleware, and application teams to support API modernization requirements.
• Manage incident, problem, change, release, and service request activities as per ITIL processes.
• Support production deployments, planned maintenance, DR activities, upgrades, patching, and audit/compliance requirements.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including installation guides, configuration documents, runbooks, troubleshooting guides, and operational procedures.
• Recommend modernization, automation, and continuous improvement opportunities related to mainframe API enablement.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise 

• 8+ years of experience with IBM z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition
• Proven expertise in installation, customization, configuration, and support of z/OS Connect environments
• Deep understanding of: z/OS Connect server configuration and runtime components,API provider/requester configuration
• REST API enablement, JSON processing, and OpenAPI/Swagger definitions
• Policy management and service archive deployment
• Strong experience integrating z/OS Connect with CICS, IMS, Db2, and MQ
• Expertise in troubleshooting API-related issues including performance, connectivity, and authentication failures
• Strong z/OS System Programming / Administration experience, including SMP/E, JCL, JES2, TSO/ISPF, USS, RACF, TCP/IP, and SDSF
• Experience managing system datasets, libraries, and configuration components
• Strong knowledge of WebSphere Liberty profile on z/OS, including JVM and deployment configuration
• Hands-on experience with RACF/SAF security, TLS/SSL, and certificate management
• Strong understanding of enterprise production support processes (incident, problem, change, release management)

Preferred Technical and Professional Experience

• Experience with mainframe API modernization initiatives and hybrid cloud integration
• Exposure to enterprise integration patterns and microservices architecture
• Experience working in large-scale, global delivery or managed services environments
• Domain experience in Banking, Financial Services, Insurance (BFSI), Retail, or Healthcare
• Familiarity with automation tools and DevOps practices in mainframe environments
• Experience with performance monitoring and tuning for API workloads and z/OS systems