Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Software International; Mississauga; Remote; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a z/OS Systems Programmer to support a major financial client account. This role offers a 12-month renewable contract with the potential for long-term opportunities. You will be responsible for providing z/OS support, managing installations, and ensuring high customer satisfaction in a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong technical skills in mainframe operations, problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills. Join a forward-thinking company where your expertise can make a significant impact on critical projects.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of z/OS Operating Systems and IBM mainframe environments.
• Experience with installation, customization, and testing of ISV software.

Responsibilities

• Provide z/OS support for IBM commercial mainframe accounts.
• Engage in problem determination and resolution for complex IT issues.

Skills

SMP/E and system utilities

Assembler coding skills

z/OS install and support

Diagnostic skills: PD, IPCS, LOGREC

JES2 and JES3 advanced skills

Understanding of problem & change management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Tools

BMC & IBM Scheduler software

TSO

ISPF

Job description

Software International (SI) supplies technical talent to a variety of clients ranging from Fortune 100/500/1000 companies to small and mid-sized organizations in Canada/US. We currently have a 12 month renewable contract as a z/OS Systems Programmer with our large global infrastructure client, supporting a major financial client account. This could be an indefinite long term contract or move into a permanent role.

Role: z/OS Systems Programmer

Type: Contract

Duration: 12 months to start + possible multiple extensions

Rate: $90 - $110/hr + C2C - depending on overall experience

Language Requirements: English

Location: Remote, Canada

Job Role & Responsibility

The z/OS Systems Programmer role requires the resource to provide services in a customer, multi-vendor, multi-protocol complex network/systems environments.

Interacts with the customer, vendors and management to ensure high level of customer satisfaction.

Primary point of contact strictly for z/OS Operating Systems Q&A.

Engages in identifying and resolving complex problems relating to product/service installation, update, configuration, operations, performance, or other aspects of information technology products and services.

Possesses an in-depth knowledge of technical solutions and management tools.

The employee guides functional objectives or technologies.

Skills

Environment: Professional knowledge related to incumbent's function/business unit and its processes.

Communication/Negotiation: Advise other professionals. Effectively utilize group dynamics. Negotiate to define approaches and goals.

Problem Solving: Recognize complex problems related to functional objectives. Analyze situations and implement solutions, or develop new system elements, procedures or processes. Creativity and judgment applied to developmental work on different projects within the business environment.

Contribution/Leadership: Provides ongoing technical/operational guidance to lead professional work teams, conducts special projects, or manages department(s) (national or international). Understand department/functional mission and vision. Defines and decides objectives within specified business concept or project and may have responsibility for tools and assigned resources. Utilizes expertise to directly influence people outside department or function. Sometimes no precedent exists. Impact on Business/Scope: Accountable for department results and for activities and/or projects involving multi-functional teams. Regularly participates in overall functional program planning.

z/OS Operating Systems - System Programmer

Primary z/OS Support for IBM commercial mainframe account. Install and maintain Mainframe z/OS and related ISVs, perform problem determination and resolution. Participate in Disaster Recovery tests. Participate in on-call rotation. The candidate should have demonstrated ability to install, customize, test and implement ISV software; should have good skills and knowledge of user exits; system modifications; and understand Assembler language. The candidate must have excellent verbal and communication skills and be willing to work weekends and outside of normal business hours in a fast-paced, dynamic and stressful environment.

Sample Skills Required:

• SMP/E and system utilities
• ACF2
• IO Gen
• Assembler coding skills
• BMC & IBM Scheduler software
• TSO, ISPF
• z/OS install and support
• z/OS (reworking and applying user mods, testing software)
• HCD
• Understanding of problem & change management (eESM experience is an asset)
• Install and support program products.
• Installing simple to complex (tape management, job scheduling) products
• JES2 and JES3 advanced skills
• Diagnostic skills: PD (problem determination), IPCS, LOGREC
• Understanding of concepts of sysplex
• Familiarity with CPU keys (ordering, applying)
• Experience working with vendors (IBM and others) for PD and for product questions
• Support multiple accounts

System Utilities:

(DFDSS, IDCAMS, IEBGENER) extensive understanding of DFSMS is required from an MVS system programmer point of view.

Services:

Pager support, off-hours work (weekend) under z/OS (reworking and applying user mods, testing software).