IDMS Mainframe DBA

Required Skills & Experience

Overview\nWe are seeking a highly skilled Senior IDMS Mainframe DBA/Engineer to support, maintain, and enhance critical enterprise mainframe environments. This individual will serve as the technical lead for CA IDMS database administration, performance tuning, system optimization, troubleshooting, and modernization initiatives while partnering closely with application development, infrastructure, and business stakeholders.\nThe ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in IDMS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, z/OS, and mainframe architecture, with a proven track record supporting large-scale transactional systems in highly regulated environments such as insurance, financial services, government, or healthcare.\n\nResponsibilities\nDatabase Administration & Engineering\n•\tAdminister, maintain, and support complex CA IDMS database environments on IBM z/OS.\n•\tDesign, create, modify, and reorganize IDMS databases, schemas, subschemas, and data structures.\n•\tManage IDMS dictionary and system generation activities.\n•\tMonitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance.\n•\tPerform database upgrades, migrations, and patch installations.\n•\tDevelop and implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures.\nPerformance & Optimization\n•\tAnalyze database performance metrics and identify bottlenecks.\n•\tTune IDMS applications, areas, pagesets, and storage configurations for maximum efficiency.\n•\tOptimize batch and online transaction performance.\n•\tConduct root-cause analysis for production incidents and recurring issues.\n•\tImplement monitoring and automation strategies to improve reliability.\nApplication Support\n•\tPartner with COBOL developers and business analysts to design, troubleshoot, and optimize applications.\n•\tSupport online and batch processing environments.\n•\tReview application designs for database efficiency and scalability.\n•\tAssist with SQL tuning and integration efforts involving DB2 and other databases.\nMainframe Infrastructure Support\n•\tWork closely with z/OS systems programmers, operations teams, and middleware administrators.\n•\tSupport security initiatives involving RACF and database access controls.\n•\tParticipate in system maintenance, DR testing, and capacity planning exercises.\n•\tEvaluate modernization opportunities and migration strategies.\nLeadership & Mentoring\n•\tProvide technical leadership and guidance to junior DBAs and developers.\n•\tCreate and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and standards.\n•\tLead troubleshooting efforts during critical production incidents.\n•\tParticipate in architecture reviews and strategic planning initiatives.\n\nRequired Qualifications\n•\tBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.\n•\t8+ years of experience working in IBM mainframe environments.\n•\t5+ years of hands-on experience administering CA IDMS databases.\n•\tStrong experience with: \no\tCA IDMS\no\tIBM z/OS\no\tCOBOL\no\tJCL\no\tTSO/ISPF\no\tCICS\no\tDB2\no\tVSAM\n•\tExperience supporting mission-critical production systems.\n•\tStrong knowledge of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery methodologies.\n•\tExperience analyzing dumps, logs, and system diagnostics.\n•\tExcellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n•\tExperience with: \no\tBroadcom CA IDMS tools\no\tEndevor\no\tFile Manager\no\tAbend-AID\no\tSYSVIEW\no\tCA View\no\tControl-M\no\tMQ Series\n•\tExposure to API integration or mainframe modernization initiatives.\n•\tExperience supporting insurance, financial services, healthcare, or government environments.\n•\tKnowledge of Agile or DevOps practices.\n•\tFamiliarity with cloud migration strategies and hybrid architectures.\n\nKey Success Metrics\n•\tMaintain IDMS database uptime and stability.\n•\tReduce production incidents through proactive monitoring and optimization.\n•\tImprove application performance and batch processing efficiency.\n•\tSuccessfully execute database maintenance, upgrades, and recovery activities.\n•\tMentor team members and contribute to long-term modernization strategies.

Job Description

Overview\nWe are seeking a highly skilled Senior IDMS Mainframe DBA/Engineer to support, maintain, and enhance critical enterprise mainframe environments. This individual will serve as the technical lead for CA IDMS database administration, performance tuning, system optimization, troubleshooting, and modernization initiatives while partnering closely with application development, infrastructure, and business stakeholders.\nThe ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in IDMS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, z/OS, and mainframe architecture, with a proven track record supporting large-scale transactional systems in highly regulated environments such as insurance, financial services, government, or healthcare.\n\nResponsibilities\nDatabase Administration & Engineering\n•\tAdminister, maintain, and support complex CA IDMS database environments on IBM z/OS.\n•\tDesign, create, modify, and reorganize IDMS databases, schemas, subschemas, and data structures.\n•\tManage IDMS dictionary and system generation activities.\n•\tMonitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance.\n•\tPerform database upgrades, migrations, and patch installations.\n•\tDevelop and implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures.\nPerformance & Optimization\n•\tAnalyze database performance metrics and identify bottlenecks.\n•\tTune IDMS applications, areas, pagesets, and storage configurations for maximum efficiency.\n•\tOptimize batch and online transaction performance.\n•\tConduct root-cause analysis for production incidents and recurring issues.\n•\tImplement monitoring and automation strategies to improve reliability.\nApplication Support\n•\tPartner with COBOL developers and business analysts to design, troubleshoot, and optimize applications.\n•\tSupport online and batch processing environments.\n•\tReview application designs for database efficiency and scalability.\n•\tAssist with SQL tuning and integration efforts involving DB2 and other databases.\nMainframe Infrastructure Support\n•\tWork closely with z/OS systems programmers, operations teams, and middleware administrators.\n•\tSupport security initiatives involving RACF and database access controls.\n•\tParticipate in system maintenance, DR testing, and capacity planning exercises.\n•\tEvaluate modernization opportunities and migration strategies.\nLeadership & Mentoring\n•\tProvide technical leadership and guidance to junior DBAs and developers.\n•\tCreate and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and standards.\n•\tLead troubleshooting efforts during critical production incidents.\n•\tParticipate in architecture reviews and strategic planning initiatives.\n\nRequired Qualifications\n•\tBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.\n•\t8+ years of experience working in IBM mainframe environments.\n•\t5+ years of hands-on experience administering CA IDMS databases.\n•\tStrong experience with: \no\tCA IDMS\no\tIBM z/OS\no\tCOBOL\no\tJCL\no\tTSO/ISPF\no\tCICS\no\tDB2\no\tVSAM\n•\tExperience supporting mission-critical production systems.\n•\tStrong knowledge of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery methodologies.\n•\tExperience analyzing dumps, logs, and system diagnostics.\n•\tExcellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n•\tExperience with: \no\tBroadcom CA IDMS tools\no\tEndevor\no\tFile Manager\no\tAbend-AID\no\tSYSVIEW\no\tCA View\no\tControl-M\no\tMQ Series\n•\tExposure to API integration or mainframe modernization initiatives.\n•\tExperience supporting insurance, financial services, healthcare, or government environments.\n•\tKnowledge of Agile or DevOps practices.\n•\tFamiliarity with cloud migration strategies and hybrid architectures.\n\nKey Success Metrics\n•\tMaintain IDMS database uptime and stability.\n•\tReduce production incidents through proactive monitoring and optimization.\n•\tImprove application performance and batch processing efficiency.\n•\tSuccessfully execute database maintenance, upgrades, and recovery activities.\n•\tMentor team members and contribute to long-term modernization strategies.