Lead Mainframe Cybersecurity Engineer

***Candidates MUST reside in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia areas only to apply for this role.

Title: Lead Mainframe Systems Engineer

W2 Contract-to-Hire: 6 Months

Location: Remote

• Client is located in Reston, VA
• In-person interview is a must for the final round

Overview

Client is partnering with a leading organization to hire a Lead Mainframe Systems Engineer (Systems Programmer) to join their 10-person Mainframe Platform Engineering team. In this high-impact role, you will serve as a senior technical authority responsible for architecting, testing, and introducing advanced capabilities on the z/OS platform—with a primary focus on mainframe cybersecurity. Working in a unique, strategic model alongside a Managed Service Provider (Ensono) that handles routine operational maintenance and production execution, you will focus on high-level engineering, security hardening, and driving complex initiatives from lower environments into production under tight timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, test, and implement new mainframe system capabilities and software installations in lower/test environments on the z/OS platform.

• Coordinate with and direct the Managed Service Provider (Ensono) to execute recommended solutions, production implementations, and system configuration changes.

• Lead mainframe security initiatives, including RACF cleanup, defining new user IDs and service accounts, and integrating enterprise cybersecurity tools (such as CyberArk) with mainframe applications.

• Design and support advanced data protection strategies, including pervasive encryption for data at rest and data in transit.

• Contribute to ongoing platform modernization efforts, including Sysplex decoupling and mainframe ransomware resilience initiatives.

• Partner closely with internal platform engineers and program management to accelerate project delivery and meet critical deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10+ years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer working strictly on the z/OS platform (20+ years of experience is welcomed).

• Minimum of 5–7 years of specialized, hands-on mainframe cybersecurity experience.

• Deep fluency in RACF administration and security architecture (defining user IDs/service accounts, executing RACF cleanups, and troubleshooting security configurations).

• Proven track record of installing mainframe software and driving technical projects from testing through production coordination with an external Managed Service Provider or vendor.

• Must reside in an approved location (DMV area or West Virginia), be eligible for full-time conversion, and be able to attend a mandatory in-person interview in Washington, D.C. or Reston, VA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience implementing pervasive encryption (encrypting data at rest and data in transit) on the mainframe.

• Experience integrating CyberArk or similar privileged access management tools with mainframe applications.

• Experience developing, implementing, or supporting mainframe ransomware protection and recovery capabilities.

• Experience with Sysplex environments, specifically decoupling Sysplexes or building/aggregating a monoplex/Sysplex architecture.

• Background working specifically with Ensono as a managed service provider.