Mainframe ZOS System Programmer

Mainframe ZOS System Programmer

Location - Phoenix, AZ | Plano, TX | Charlotte, NC | Richmond, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Pennington, NJ | Chicago, IL

Working Mode: Hybrid

The Role

The Mainframe z/OS System Programmer is responsible for the installation, customization, maintenance, and optimization of IBM z/OS operating systems and associated system software. This role ensures the stability, performance, security, and availability of mission-critical mainframe environments, supporting large-scale enterprise applications.

Responsibilities

• System Administration & Maintenance:

• Install, configure, and maintain IBM z/OS operating systems.

• Perform system upgrades, migrations (e.g., z/OS version upgrades), and apply maintenance (PTFs, APARs, RSUs).

• Manage IPL processes, system initialization, and configuration (PARMLIB, PROCLIB, SYS1 datasets).

• Monitor system health and performance using tools such as RMF, SMF, SDSF.

• Subsystem Support:

• Install, configure, and support key subsystems:

• JES2/JES3

• TSO/E, ISPF

• USS (Unix System Services)

• RACF (in coordination with security teams)

• Work closely with DB2, CICS, IMS, MQ, and Storage teams for integration and support.

• Performance & Capacity Management:

• Analyze system performance metrics and implement tuning improvements.

• Support capacity planning and resource optimization (CPU, memory, I/O).

• Evaluate hardware upgrades (e.g., CPU/MIPS growth, z-series enhancements).

• Problem Management & Troubleshooting:

• Diagnose and resolve system-related issues, including system abends and failures.

• Perform root cause analysis for outages and major incidents.

• Work with IBM and vendors on problem determination and fixes.

• Automation & Scheduling:

• Develop and maintain automation using tools such as:

• System REXX, CLIST

• SA z/OS, NetView

• Support job scheduling tools (e.g., CA7, Control-M where applicable).

• Security & Compliance:

• Support system-level security configurations aligned with RACF policies.

• Ensure compliance with audit, regulatory, and enterprise security standards.

• Assist in vulnerability remediation and patching activities.

• Change & Release Management:

• Execute changes through ITIL-based processes (ServiceNow or equivalent).

• Prepare implementation plans, backout procedures, and validation steps.

• Support weekend maintenance windows and IPL activities.

• Documentation:

• Create and maintain technical documentation, including:

• System configurations

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Disaster Recovery plans

• Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mainframe system programming (z/OS).

• Strong hands-on knowledge of z/OS, JES2/JES3, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, USS/OMVS, SMP/E.

• Experience with large-scale environments (multi-LPAR, Parallel Sysplex).

• Knowledge of vendor products (Broadcom, IBM, BMC).

• IBM certifications (preferred but not mandatory).

• Preferred Experience

• Exposure to mainframe modernization initiatives (APIs, hybrid cloud integration).

• Experience with z/OSMF and modern interfaces.

• Knowledge of DevOps practices on mainframe (CI/CD pipelines).

• Exposure to Zowe and APIs on z/OS.