z/OS System Programmer

Role: Mainframe z/OS System Programmer
Location : Salisbury, NC/Boston, MA/Frisco, TX(Remote is also Fine)

Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer  : 7-10 years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer. 
The successful candidate will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of the z/OS operating system, as well as various Independent Software Vendor (ISV) products. This role requires deep technical expertise in mainframe technologies, a strong understanding of system performance tuning, problem diagnosis, and a commitment to ensuring the stability, security, and efficiency of our critical mainframe infrastructure. 

Required Skills and Experience:
7-10 years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer.
In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with z/OS operating system installation, configuration, and maintenance.
Proven experience with major z/OS upgrades (e.g., from one version to another).
Strong proficiency in JCL, TSO/ISPF, SMP/E, JES2/JES3.
Extensive experience with the installation and support of various ISV products from vendors such as Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, and Rocket Software. Specific product experience in areas like:
Security: RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret
Performance Monitoring: Omegamon, RMF, SMF
Scheduling: CA-7, TWS/OPC
Storage Management: SMS, DASD management tools (e.g., CA-Disk, FDR/ABR)
Database: DB2, IMS, VSAM
Utilities: DFSORT, Syncsort
Solid understanding of mainframe networking (TCP/IP, VTAM).
Experience with z/OS performance tuning and capacity planning.
Proficiency in REXX or other scripting languages for automation.
Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.
Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Strong commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Desired Skills and Experience (Plus Points):
Experience with Parallel Sysplex environments.
Knowledge of z/VM or Linux on Z.
Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives or hybrid cloud environments.
Certifications related to z/OS or specific mainframe technologies.

Key Responsibilities: 
z/OS Upgrades and Maintenance: 
Plan, prepare, and execute z/OS operating system upgrades (e.g., from z/OS 2.x to z/OS 3.x), including pre-installation checks, customization, testing, and post-upgrade verification. 
Apply IBM PTFs (Program Temporary Fixes) and APARs (Authorized Program Analysis Reports) to maintain system integrity and resolve reported issues. 
Perform regular IPLs (Initial Program Loads) and system restarts as required for maintenance and upgrades. 
Monitor z/OS system health, performance, and resource utilization using tools like RMF, SMF, Omegamon, etc. 

ISV Product Management: 
Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain a wide range of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) products (e.g., Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, Rocket Software, etc.). This includes products for security (ACF2, Top Secret, RACF), performance monitoring, job scheduling (CA-7, TWS), storage management (SMS, CA-Disk, FDR/ABR), database (DB2, IMS, VSAM), and other utilities. 
Collaborate with vendors for problem resolution, licensing, and technical support. 
Ensure compatibility and integration of ISV products with the z/OS environment. 

System Maintenance and Support: 
Perform system IPLs, reconfigurations, and PARMLIB updates. 
Manage and maintain critical system datasets (e.g., SYSRES, Page datasets, SMF datasets). 
Provide expert-level support for mainframe incidents, including problem determination, diagnosis, and resolution in a timely manner. 
Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 support of critical systems. 

Performance Tuning and Optimization: 
Analyze system performance data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements. 
Tune various z/OS components, WLM (Workload Manager), and ISV products to optimize resource utilization and application performance. 

Automation and Scripting: 
Develop and maintain REXX, JCL, and other scripts for system automation, monitoring, and administrative tasks. 
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: 
Participate in the planning, testing, and execution of disaster recovery procedures for the mainframe environment. 
Ensure high availability and recoverability of critical systems. 

Documentation and Best Practices: 
Create and maintain comprehensive system documentation, including installation guides, configuration details, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides. 
Adhere to ITIL best practices for change management, incident management, and problem management. 

Collaboration and Mentorship: 
Work closely with application development teams, database administrators, operations staff, and other infrastructure teams. 
Mentor junior systems programmers and share knowledge effectively. 

Security and Compliance: 
Implement and enforce security best practices within the z/OS environment and for ISV products. 
Ensure compliance with internal security policies and external regulations.