Mainframe System Programmer Contract C2C jobs

Role: Mainframe System Programmer

Location: Remote

Please check the JD before sharing the profile.

Responsibilities:

• Monitors system software access, performance, and resource utilization;
• Primary responsibility for maintaining the z/OS 3.1 and JES2 software environment;
• Work with application programmers to ensure that application problems do not adversely affect production operations;
• Ability to provide 24/7/365 software support. This would include on-call support during off-hours;
• Assists with the analysis, design, programming, and implementation of applications that will interface with system software;
• Develop/maintain/monitor proper software use and security authorization policies;
• Creates, maintains, and upgrades software systems for development and production environments;
• Analyzes requirements and recommends policies, procedures, and standards for software systems;
• Implement and verifies backup and recovery procedures. This would include Business Recovery concerns and associated testing;
• Accept ownership of all mainframe-based systems, including multiple z/OS LPARs and different datacenters;
• Install new z/OS releases as they become available;
• Keep supported systems current with the latest maintenance provided by IBM and other vendors. Maintain system reliability and ensure availability;
• Be available after hours for emergency or exceptional situations concerning the mainframe and mainframe-based systems;
• Resolve any system-related problems that may arise in a timely and efficient manner.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience with mainframe software management specific to z/OS operating system and other software products;
• Ability to install and customize IBM and third-party software using SMP/E & and MF utilities;
• Experience in keeping the z/OS hardware configuration current and configure new devices as needed or when new changes are required during upgrade to zNext(z17?);
• Possible travel and variable hours may be required;
• Ability to write software exit program(s) and use software utilities as required;
• Solid knowledge of mainframe JCL and utilities;
• Ability to write/read/debug programs in a batch and online environment;
• Ability to perform multiple activities simultaneously with minimal or no supervision.
• Provide z/OS 3.1 operating system support for IBM z16 processors running CICS TS 6.1, DB2 V13, MQ 9.3, Connect Direct, CAMIM etc on multiple LPARs.

• Provide support to other mainframe groups – Storage Management, Performance/Capacity Planning, Information Security, System Automation, Networking (VTAM and TCP/IP), Production Control and Interfaces, CICS Support, DB2 Support, Change Control, etc.
• Create, populate, secure and troubleshoot IBM z/OS USS (UNIX Systems Services) file systems and mount points. Manage the USS environment on an IBM z/OS mainframe platform. Provide support to applications utilizing NFS.
• Maintain the z/OS PARMLIB libraries as they relate to the Operating System requirements, configure necessary changes during z/OS upgrade or required by other products.
• Perform hardware configuration using HCD for IBM z16/zNext processors running z/OS.
• Perform zOSMF installations of the z/OS Operating System as soon as new versions become available from IBM.
• Perform installations, support and deployment with and without SMP/E of multiple ISV (Independent Software Vendor) products to z/OS LPAR’s. Ensure that these products are always at supported levels as documented in vendor’s websites.
• Package z/OS and ISV rollouts utilizing automation to minimize time of delivery and errors.  Train other support groups to use these automated rollout packages for faster distribution to all LPAR’s.
• Work with IBM and ISV vendors in problem determination, documentation and resolution.
• Perform maintenance of the z/OS Operating System by automating the process to receive and apply latest RSU’s from IBM on the Engineering LPAR and automating the distribution process using tools like the z/OSMF Software Management.
• Use the multiple system tools, including but not limited to SMP/E, IBM Utilities (IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, IDCAMS, etc), to create, populate, update, configure and distribute required datasets and parameter libraries and members to successfully implement software installations and upgrades on the IBM z/OS platform.
• Use SYSLOG, create/analyze system traces and dumps, job output, and monitoring tools to diagnose and resolve IBM z/OS and ISV product abends on the IBM z/OS platform. Be able to work with vendors in problem resolution and implement solutions provided by them.
• Utilize the ServiceNOW application to monitor open requests from other support groups and to monitor incidents/problems reported on the z/OS platform.
• Provide support and regular upgrades to suite of Broadcom and BMC products, IZSM monthly maintenance and GDB knowledge upgrades
• Support regular resiliency exercises of moving test and production environments, applications, MF LPARs from one DC to another.
• Utilize RMF, SYSVIEW, Tivoli Omegamon to ensure health of mainframe environments and setup and tune automated processes for systems health monitoring.