z/OS System Programmer

Role- z/OS System Programmer

Location- Remote, USA

Experienced IBM Mainframe System Z Software Expert

• Lifecycle Management of IBM zOS MLC and IPLA Operating System and System Software Components including, but not limited to:

• Lifecycle Management of OEM/ISV System Software Components including, but not limited to:

• Lifecycle Management of System Z Software Leveraging Best Practice Methodologies & Tools for Build/Deploy of Software Packages - including, but not limited to:

• Lifecycle Management of System Z Software Responsibilities:
• Review IBM & OEM/ISV Software Vendor communications for critical maintenance, EOL, EOS, and Major/Minor Version availability dates.
• Acquire IBM & OEM/ISV Software Vendor components via Sanctioned Access Methods including Product Authorization Keys. Codify Build Package Manifest and Cross Check Version Compatibility against the System Software Inventory. Ensure Software Disposition Complies with Entitlement in Licensing Agreements.
• Configure, Deploy, & Regression Test in Conjunction with Appropriate Stakeholders Requirements. Benchmark Capacity & Performance Impacts. Adjust System Startup & Shutdown Automation Scripts including Parent and/or Child Dependencies. Implement/Adjust Alert Automation Scripts and Operating Procedures. Position Libraries using Standardized Naming Conventions and Incorporate into Base Image (SYSRES). Adjust GDPS Scripting as Needed for System Continuity Practices and Resiliency Procedures used for Use in Alternate Data Center Location. Implement Vendor Defined Best Practice Recommendations for Controls to Resource Utilization of Central Storage, CPU, and JES SPOOL. Develop Backup & Recovery JOBs. Define Schedules in BMC Control-M for any Maintenance JOBs.
• Prepare Warranted Change Control Orders, Communications, and Validation Plans to Release System Software to Production LPARs. Update Operations Run Books. Incorporate JCL Environmental Variables to Account for Any Unique Requirements where Applicable among the 40 Monoplex LPARs. Package Components for Distribution and Deployment Exploiting z/OSMF where Possible.
• Support IBM & OEM/ISV Software in Production. Monitor and Trend Performance and Capacity Utilization using IBM OMEGAMON, CA-SYSVIEW, RMF, SPLUNK, and DYNATRACE. Tune Alert Thresholds. Remediate Defects in Conjunction with IBM or OEM/ISV Provider through Standard Service and as Necessary Escalation Channels.
• Mainframe z/OS Systems Programming including, but not limited to:
• Maintain z/OS Hardware I/O Configuration with HCD - Accounting for Hardware Changes and/or z/OS Upgrades.
• Maintain HMC Load Address Schemas. Update Procedures documents for IPLs. Replicate to Inactive LPAR Image on Alternate CEC for Local Resiliency.
• Write, Modify, and Debug Exits.
• Modify z/OS PARMLIB Members to Optimize Consumer Experience of Application Developers and Operations Staff.
• Maintain GDPS Scripts and Procedures for Workload Rotation between Data Centers, Ensuring Constant Readiness for Disaster Recovery.
• Maintain Software Access, Use, and Authorization Security Policies.
• Create, populate, secure, and troubleshoot IBM z/OS USS (UNIX Systems Services) File Systems and Mount Points. Manage the USS Environment on IBM z/OS. Provide Support to Applications Utilizing NFS.
• Apply IZSM Monthly Maintenance and GDB Knowledge Upgrades
• Implement Traces and Assist in Problem Determination Analysis Using SYSLOG, Job Output, and Monitoring Tools. Diagnose ABENDs. Enable and Execute Dumps, Upload to IBM and OEM/ISV Support
• Serve as Center of Competency Resource for Counterparts in zOS Storage Management, Performance/Capacity Planning, Application Development, Information Security, System Automation, Mainframe Networking (VTAM & TCP/IP), Production Control and Interface Teams, CICS Support, DB2 Support, and Technical Operations.
• Mainframe z/OS High Availability & Modernization Engineering including, but not limited to:
• Implement Parallel Sysplex with Data Sharing Transitioning Critical Monoplex LPARs into a High Availability Architecture.
• Perpetually Redesign Infrastructure Environment, Practices & Procedures, and Best in Class Tools to Mitigate Downtime and Unplanned Outages. Advise Application Development on Techniques to Improve Security, Resiliency, and Data Recoverability.
• Illuminate Modernization Capabilities Inherent in z/OS and OEM/ISV Software and zNext Infrastructure Including the Expanding API Catalog, Integration Suite Features of IZIO, and Experience from POCs and Implementations Accomplished by Other zOS Clients.
• Evangelize Industry Best Practices and Minimize Trial & Error Approaches to Modernization where Possible.