Senior Mainframe Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mainframe Engineer
Location: Reston, VA
Type: Contract - 6 + months - strong likelihood of extension and/or perm conversion
Contractor Work Model: Mostly REMOTE but onsite for client meetings approximately 1X monthly

We are seeking a highly experienced, self-driven, and technically versatile Senior Mainframe Engineer to support and evolve our client's enterprise systems. This role requires an individual with strong initiative, a passion for technology, and the ability to take ownership of tasks without direction.

This role is hands-on and will require you to not only work within a complex legacy mainframe environment but also contribute to our modernization efforts involving AWS and Big Data technologies. Production support, real-time monitoring, and cross-team collaboration will be key components of your daily responsibilities. Under the direction of the Manager/Supervisor of Data Center Operations, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Key Responsibilities:
Day-to-Day Operations

• Monitor and maintain IT infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and reliability across mainframe and distributed systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex system and application issues.
• Participate in on-call rotation for mainframe Level-2 support; lead Root Cause Analysis and preventive actions.
• Execute changes and fixes using established change management protocols.
• Coordinate HealthCheck calls and track release impacts on operational teams.
• Support production systems and ensure SLAs are consistently met.

Scheduling & Job Management

• Create, modify, and troubleshoot job schedules using tools like CA7 and Control-M across mainframe, Windows, and UNIX platforms.
• Monitor job queues, perform restarts, apply JCL overrides, and validate correct job execution.
• Maintain scheduler calendars and support platform/tool upgrades.

Documentation & Compliance

• Develop and maintain operational manuals, runbooks, and documentation for infrastructure and scheduling.
• Support audit readiness by providing detailed operational evidence and documentation.
• Ensure adherence to SLAs, compliance policies, and corporate security requirements.

Technical Consulting & Collaboration

• Collaborate across IT Operations, Service Desk, Application Development, and Infrastructure teams.
• Engage with vendors for advanced troubleshooting and support.
• Participate in disaster recovery planning and testing efforts.
• Mentor junior staff and share technical expertise.

Technical Expertise:

• Mainframe Systems:
  • Deep, hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2 (including DB2 BASICS, commands, functions, control tables, subsystems, stored procedures), CICS, TSO/ISPF, JES2, MVS Utilities, CLIST, REXX, FTP, SAR, OPS/MVS, DFHSM, DFSMS, IDCAMS, VSAM, TPX, AFP, HMC, and TMON.
  • Strong knowledge and experience with CA7 job scheduling, including creating, modifying, and troubleshooting job streams.
  • Ability to monitor and manage ICF catalogs, HSM, and related storage and archival utilities (e.g., TSM, ABARS).
• Distributed Systems:
  • Solid understanding of UNIX and Windows environments, including basic shell commands and file system structures.
  • Experience supporting and maintaining distributed systems in hybrid cloud/mainframe environments.
• Monitoring & Scheduling Tools:
  • Proficient in Control-M, with experience in enterprise job scheduling, calendar updates, and operational support.
  • Familiar with monitoring platforms like Datadog and BigPanda for system health and alert management.
• Cloud & Scripting:
  • Hands-on experience with AWS services (beyond certification level).
  • Working knowledge of Python and the willingness to expand skillset into non-mainframe technologies and scripting environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent work experience
• Strong knowledge of SDLC and DevOps environments
• Demonstrated ability to handle high-pressure scenarios and lead problem-solving efforts
• Experience working in a hybrid environment (Mainframe and AWS)
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams

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: #850-Rockville (ALTA IT)

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joul, ALTA IT Services, TeamPeople, 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.