Mainframe - Systems Programmer

Systems ProgrammerWe are seeking a highly skilled Systems Programmer to design, install, maintain, and optimize our core mainframe subsystems. This is a pure infrastructure role centered on platform engineering, stability, and high performance.This position is not an application development or Database Administration (DBA) role. Instead, you will be responsible for the foundational systems programming layer—specifically managing the installation, configuration, customization, and performance tuning of Db2, CICS, and MQ on IBM z/OS platforms. You will serve as a tier-3 technical escalation point, proactively diagnosing infrastructure bottlenecks and resolving complex system-level performance problems to ensure maximum availability of our mission-critical financial workloads.Key ResponsibilitiesSystem Installation, Upgrades & Maintenance· Software Provisioning: Plan, install, configure, test, and maintain IBM and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) middleware products, focusing heavily on Db2 for z/OS, CICS Transaction Server (TS), and IBM MQ. · Environment Management: Utilize SMP/E and z/OSMF Workflows to manage software environments, apply PTFs, handle HOLDDATA, and build deployment instances across multiple LPARs and Parallel Sysplex environments. · Infrastructure Customization: Define and maintain system parameters (ZPARMs for Db2, SIT overrides for CICS, CSQ parameters for MQ) to align with enterprise security, availability, and recovery standards.Performance Tuning & Capacity Planning· Infrastructure Analysis: Monitor and analyze system resource consumption (CPU, memory, DASD I/O) to optimize middleware performance and lower overall MSU usage. · Bottleneck Identification: Proactively identify and resolve system-level constraints, such as CICS short-on-storage (SOS) conditions, MQ queue depth/buffer pool bottlenecks, and Db2 subsystem locking or latching issues. · Data-Driven Optimization: Evaluate SMF/RMF data to generate tuning recommendations, drive capacity planning, and stabilize system behavior during high-volume market events.Production Support & Incident Resolution· Deep Diagnostics: Resolve high-severity infrastructure incidents by analyzing system dumps, logs, and traces (IPCS, slip traps) to isolate root causes. · Disaster Recovery: Design, maintain, and regularly validate robust Disaster Recovery (DR) and business continuity strategies for Db2 Data Sharing groups, CICS Plex, and MQ Shared Queues. · On-Call Support: Participate in a team rotation providing tier-3 technical assistance for production of emergency infrastructure issues.Technical ToolsetThe ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with the following tools and utilities:· Systems Management: SMP/E, z/OSMF, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, JCL. · Performance Monitoring & Diagnostics: IBM RMF/SMF, BMC MainView (Sysview), Omegamon (for CICS/Db2/MQ), or Intellimagic Vision. · Debugging Utilities: IPCS (Interactive Problem Control System), Mainframe Application Tuner (MAT), or similar dump analysis tools. · Automation/Scripting: REXX, CLIST, or UNIX System Services (USS) scripting. · Storage & Security Environment: DFSMS, RACF, and Top Secret/ACF2 integration.Experience & Qualifications· Required Experience: Minimum of 8–10+ years of professional IT experience explicitly working as a z/OS Systems Programmer. · Subsystem Expertise: Proven track record of successfully installing, upgrading, and tuning Db2, CICS, and MQ from an infrastructure/systems standpoint (as opposed to an application or database schema management standpoint). · Sysplex Architecture: Strong conceptual and working knowledge of Parallel Sysplex, including CICSplex, Db2 Data Sharing groups, and MQ queue-sharing groups. · Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional technical debugging abilities, including the ability to independently read IBM documentation, analyze system memory dumps, and collaborate directly with IBM/ISV vendors on complex patches. · Soft Skills: Strong documentation habits for updating runbooks and technical procedures—ability to communicate technical infrastructure realities clearly to application teams and business stakeholders.