Mainframe Technical Lead System Programmer

Job Title: Mainframe Technical Lead System Programmer
Location: Plano, TX (Onsite Position from day one)

Duration: 6+ Months Contract

The Mainframe Technical Lead will be responsible for leading and managing mainframe system programming activities, ensuring high availability, performance, and security of z/OS environments. This role involves technical leadership, mentoring team members, and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver infrastructure solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• System Programming & Administration
• Install, configure, and maintain IBM z/OS operating system and related subsystems.
• Perform upgrades, patches, and migrations (e.g., hardware uplift from Z14 to Z16).
• Manage SMP/E, PARMLIB, PROCLIB, and system datasets.
• Performance & Capacity Management
• Monitor system performance and optimize resource utilization.
• Conduct capacity planning and implement tuning strategies.
• Security & Compliance
• Implement RACF security policies and ensure compliance with standards.
• Perform audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Disaster Recovery & High Availability
• Develop and test DR plans for mainframe environments.
• Ensure 99.9% uptime and SLA adherence.
• Technical Leadership
• Mentor junior system programmers and provide technical guidance.
• Coordinate with application teams and infrastructure teams for issue resolution.
• Incident & Problem Management
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and provide root cause analysis.
• Drive automation initiatives to reduce manual interventions.

Required Skills

• Strong expertise in IBM z/OS, SMP/E, JES2/JES3.
• Experience with DB2, IMS, and CICS subsystems.
• Proficiency in RACF security administration.
• Knowledge of Mainframe networking (VTAM, TCP/IP).
• Familiarity with automation tools (e.g., REXX, CLIST, JCL scripting).
• Hands-on experience in system upgrades and migrations.
• Good understanding of ITIL processes (Incident, Change, Problem Management).

Preferred Skills

• Exposure to z/OSMF, z/OS Connect, and modernization tools.
• Experience in performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Knowledge of disaster recovery solutions and GDPS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• IBM certifications in z/OS System Programming or equivalent preferred.