Mainframe Production Support Analyst

Mainframe Production Support AnalystWe are seeking an experienced Mainframe Production Support Analyst for a 12+ month W2 contract opportunity located in Plano, TX or Chandler, AZ.The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, IMS DB, IMS DC, DB2, CICS, CA7 Scheduling, and VSAM, along with experience supporting enterprise mainframe applications in a 24x7 production environment. This role requires close collaboration with development teams to perform root cause analysis, troubleshoot production issues, and ensure timely resolution of application and system problems.Responsibilities:Provide production support for critical mainframe applications in a 24x7 on-call support environment with off-hours rotation.Perform in-depth analysis of production incidents to identify root causes and implement permanent solutions.Troubleshoot and resolve application, database, batch, and online transaction issues.Analyze and debug COBOL programs, JCL, IMS DB/DC, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and batch processing failures.Review application code and collaborate with development teams to identify defects and recommend fixes.Lead incident triage calls, coordinate issue resolution across technical teams, and provide timely status updates.Monitor batch processing using CA7 Scheduling and resolve job failures and scheduling issues.Support application deployments, production validations, and post-release monitoring.Document incidents, root cause analyses, and resolution procedures to improve operational efficiency.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance application stability and reduce recurring production issues.Required Qualifications:Strong experience supporting enterprise Mainframe Production Support environments.Hands-on expertise with COBOL, JCL, IMS DB, IMS DC, DB2, CICS, CA7 Scheduling, and VSAM.Experience performing production debugging, defect analysis, and code reviews.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to perform deep root cause analysis.Experience working closely with development teams to resolve complex production issues.Ability to lead technical triage calls and manage high-priority production incidents.Experience supporting both online and batch processing applications.Excellent communication and documentation skills.Willingness to participate in a 24x7 production support rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.Preferred Qualifications:Experience in banking, financial services, or other high-availability enterprise environments.Familiarity with ITIL processes, incident management, and change management.Experience supporting large-scale, mission-critical mainframe applications.