Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Role :- Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Location :- Salisbury, NC/Boston, MA/Frisco, TX

Job Description:

Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer : 7-10 years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer.

• • Job Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer to join our dynamic IT team. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.