IBM Optim Z/OS Specialist

Overview

Remote
$70 - $80
Contract - W2
Contract - 3 Month(s)
No Travel Required

Skills

IBM
Mainframe
z/OS

Job Details

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced IBM Optim Z/OS Specialist to design, implement, and maintain enterprise data archiving and information lifecycle management solutions on IBM mainframe (z/OS) platforms. This role will focus on compliance-driven archiving (SOX, GDPR, CCPA) for DB2 on z/OS, integrating Optim into existing enterprise workflows, and ensuring high performance and data integrity. The specialist will also provide future-ready solutions that enable seamless access, retrieval, and reporting on archived data.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. IBM Optim Z/OS Implementation & Administration

Install, configure, and upgrade IBM Optim on z/OS environments.

Define and maintain Access Definitions, Column Maps, and Archive Definitions for DB2 z/OS databases.

Configure and manage Optim Archive, Restore, and Delete processes.

  1. Compliance & Audit Support

Implement SOX-compliant archiving processes with full pre/post job validation.

Generate, store, and manage archive Summary Reports and validation counts.

Support auditors by providing secure, read-only access to archive data.

  1. Performance Optimization

Tune archive-and-delete jobs for high throughput and minimal impact on production workloads.

Use Optim performance features such as array deletes, commit frequency tuning, and DB2 utility integration.

Work with DB2 DBAs to optimize bufferpools, indexes, and statistics for archive queries.

  1. Archive Data Access & Integration

Enable archive file browsing via ISPF panels and Optim Workstation.

Implement Archive Transparency for SQL-based access to historical data.

Support integration with reporting, analytics, and ETL platforms.

  1. Governance & Documentation

Maintain detailed technical documentation for all Optim processes and configurations.

Establish archive retention schedules in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Track and log archive file access for audit trails.

Required Skills & Experience:

  • 5+ years experience with IBM Optim for z/OS, including Archive, Delete, and Restore functions.
  • Strong DB2 z/OS knowledge, including SQL, indexing, performance tuning, and utilities (UNLOAD, LOAD, RUNSTATS).
  • Experience with JCL, ISPF, and mainframe batch scheduling tools (Control-M, CA-7, etc.).
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks (SOX, GDPR, CCPA) and data governance principles.
  • Ability to generate and interpret Optim Summary Reports and validation logs.
  • Knowledge of TCP/IP, DRDA, and mainframe file transfer protocols (FTP, SFTP).
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work with auditors and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with IBM Optim Workstation and Archive Transparency.
  • Familiarity with cloud archival storage (IBM COS, AWS S3 Glacier, Azure Blob).
  • Scripting experience (Rexx, Python, or shell scripting) for archive automation.
  • Data masking implementation experience in Optim.
  • Knowledge of ILM strategies across hybrid platforms.
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