Mainframe Z/OS System Programmer

Title: Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Location: Remote

Duration: 6+ Months

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.