IBM Mainframe Systems Engineer

Core Responsibilities

z/OS Platform Modernization & Upgrade Engineering

Engineer for multiple concurrent legacy and current z/OS versions including Version interoperability, Incremental upgrade paths, Dependency validation across the stack, Pre‑upgrade technical assessments, Post‑upgrade stabilization, and tuning
Full‑Stack Mainframe Engineering (Subsystem Depth) - Provide deep system‑level engineering expertise across the core IBM Z stack i.e. but not limited to:

DB2 for z/OS - Subsystem configuration, performance characteristics, and version interactions
CICS TS  - System‑level behavior, workload tuning, and modernization readiness, TLS enablement impacts
IMS (DB/DC) - Platform interaction, efficient tuning, and coexistence with modern stacks
IBM MQ for z/OS  - Queue Manager architecture and configuration, MQ subsystem behavior across z/OS and middleware upgrades, Performance tuning (buffer pools, logging behavior, workload patterns), Dependency analysis with CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS, and distributed platforms. TLS enabled channel architecture and modernization
Common enterprise schedulers (e.g., CA-7, Control-M) and other ISV tooling
Compiler and language versions and when recompilations are necessary during upgrades
Common mainframe integrations, including Change Data Capture (CDC) tools, Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools, and DB2 Gateway
Mainframe terminal emulators
Maintain a holistic view of cross‑subsystem dependencies during upgrades

Storage, Networking & Virtualization Engineering, providing engineering insight into:

Mainframe storage behavior, layout, and recovery implications during modernization
Mainframe networking, including SNA, VTAM, and TCP/IP interactions
Design around z/VM and virtualized environments
Identify infrastructure constraints that limit modernization or performance gains


Security Engineering


Review and engineer as needed for RACF and ACF2 security platforms to maintain access controls, profiles, auditing, logging, and compliance enforcement
Partner as needed with risk, audit, and application teams to review and ensure policy alignment and regulatory compliance
Mainframe security best practices, including encrypting data in transit

Leverage SMF, RMF, and operational metrics to analyze system performance, Identify bottlenecks, support capacity planning, and forecasting

Review and recommend tuning system parameters and subsystem configurations to optimize throughput, response time, and cost efficiency
Help identify trends and risks impacting availability or scalability

Review and recommend operational tasks automation opportunities using REXX, CLIST, JCL, TSO/ISPF, reducing manual effort through automation, standardization, and self‑healing processes

Collaboration & Leadership - Partner with Application teams, Middleware teams, Security & risk organizations, and Vendors (IBM and ISVs)

Skills:
8–12+ years of hands‑on IBM Mainframe experience in large enterprise environments
Strong expertise with: Multiple z/OS versions and upgrades, z/VM, RACF and ACF2, DB2 for z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ, TLS Encryption, Mainframe storage, and networking (including SNA)
SMF, performance monitoring, and capacity management

Advanced skills with JCL, REXX/CLIST, TSO/ISPF
Strong troubleshooting, RCA, and documentation skills
Experience in regulated environments (financial services, insurance, government preferred)

Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or equivalent experience