Sr or Lead zOS Mainframe Systems Engineer

Job Title: Senior / Lead z/OS Mainframe Systems Engineer
Location: Mostly Remote (Occasional Onsite is required in Reston/DC, and Onsite Interview Required)
Candidate preferred location: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia or District of Columbia . Candidates that live in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York or New Jersey can also be considered.
Role Type: 12 + months Contract-to-Hire

Overview
We are seeking a Senior/Lead z/OS Mainframe Systems Engineer to support and modernize the client's mainframe platform. This role focuses on system maintenance, troubleshooting, resiliency, and modernization, while collaborating with managed service providers and internal teams to optimize performance and availability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and review work performed by systems programmers, ensuring high-quality system operations and improvements.
• Coordinate with application teams (~20 COBOL/Java developers) and infrastructure stakeholders to ensure smooth mainframe platform operations.
• Provide hands-on support for CICS, DB2, MQ, batch processes, and mainframe tools (CA7, CA1, IBM RMM).
• Guide RACF security administration and contribute to TLS/SSL, TCP/IP, and other mainframe networking initiatives.
• Troubleshoot system issues, perform root cause analysis (RCA), and validate implementations to maintain platform resiliency.
• Participate in IPLs, system upgrades, automation enhancements, and platform modernization initiatives.
• Work with the managed service provider to optimize services, improve platform performance, and enhance operational availability.
• Recommend improvements to scalability, resiliency, and reliability of applications and systems running on the z/OS platform.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years supporting IBM z/OS Systems in a SYSPLEX environment.
• RACF - Security Administration (5-10 years)
• z/OS Systems Programming (5-10 years)
• CICS TS Systems Programming (5-10 years)
• MQ Systems Programming (5-10 years)
• DB2 usage (does not need to be systems programming level)
• ISV Production installation experience
• IBM System Automation support
• Batch scheduling support - Control-M
• Proven troubleshooting, incident management, and RCA skills
• Hands-on experience in platform modernization and operational improvements

Strongly Desired Skills

• SYSPLEX and ICF configuration/tuning; experience decoupling SYSPLEX is a plus
• Middleware interfaces: AIX, WebSphere, Networks, LDAP
• Knowledge of network communication protocols (TCP/IP)
• IBM z16 hardware infrastructure and Dell/EMC storage subsystems
• Pervasive encryption on z/OS and ransomware solutioning
• Java/J2EE experience
• DB2/UDB experience

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joul, ALTA IT Services, and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.

System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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Ref: #851-Rockville-S1