Senior Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Tech Talent International; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Software International (SI) is seeking a Senior Mainframe z/OS System Programmer for a long-term contract with a major Canadian bank. You will provide technical leadership, ensure stable environments, and collaborate with client, provider, and vendor teams on critical mainframe initiatives.

The role requires extensive z/OS know-how, strong network and security expertise, and hands-on experience with DR readiness and performance tuning.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Mainframe technology operating systems or system programming experience.
• Fluency with Mainframe tools including z/OS, Parallel Sysplex, SMPE, RMF, SMF, WLM.
• Deep expertise in z/OS architecture, DASD, TCP/IP, and hardware like z14/15.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and SME for stable, reliable mainframe environments on complex projects.
• Lead technical discussions with clients, vendors, and teams to meet service expectations.
• Contribute to disaster recovery readiness and coordinate problem resolution across teams.

Skills

z/OS

Mainframe

Parallel Sysplex

SMPE

RMF

SMF

WLM

z/OSMF

TCP/IP

DASD

VTL

JES2

Network architecture

FTP

SFTP

MQ

Web services

LPAR builds

Cloning

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 have a Permanent or 12 month renewable contract as a Senior Mainframe z/OS System Programmer with our large consulting client, working on a long term project for one of Canada's largest banks. This could be an indefinite contract or a permanent role. Role: Senior Mainframe z/OS System Programmer Type: Permanent or Long Term Contract Duration: 12 months to start + possible multiple extensions or a permanent role Salary or Rate: approximately $150,000 - $200,00 as permanent employee or $100 - $130/hr + C2C - depending on overall experience Location: Remote, Toronto, ON, Canada

What you'll be doing

As a Sr. Mainframe zOS System Programmer, you are responsible for providing technical direction and subject matter expertise to ensure stable, reliable environments for complex sharing initiatives in compliance with established controls, standards, policies, and procedures. You will collaborate with and advise senior management, utilizing your solid understanding of business dynamics to analyze and protect test environment integrity and mitigate risks, present alternative solutions, and recommend solutions using available resources for complex initiatives with key dependencies. You will provide technical leadership, interpret complex information, and coordinate client, provider, and vendor relationships to meet and manage service expectations, aligned to best practices. In addition, you will help to develop the team to maximize individual contributions and professional growth, while functioning effectively with your colleagues.

How you'll succeed

Technical Expertise

you will leverage your solid technology expertise to review and analyze current client software and requirements to determine the most effective solution to include in business proposals; install, upgrade and customize ISV software tools in a multi-system z/OS mainframe environment, and help to ensure software and hardware remains current to avoid End of Support costs.

Effective Communication

you will work to accomplish organizational goals that are consistent in supporting both IT and Business objectives, communicate effectively and patiently across technology teams to influence teams to adopt solutions to keep critical systems secure and operationally resilient. You will provide and document problem analysis, resolution, and prevention, designing procedures and best practice techniques, using IBM and ISV online tools for opening and managing problem report tracking and resolution. You will actively participate in periodic disaster recovery exercises, maintaining disaster recovery readiness of systems, and monitoring status of systems to proactively prevent issues from occurring.

Relationship Management

you will collaborate with internal business partners in Application Development, Infrastructure, IT Operations, and IT Production Support to accomplish organizational goals that are consistent in supporting both IT and Business objectives. You will work directly with Hardware and Software vendors on solutions, build your network, and deepen existing relationships. You will leverage your verbal, written, and presentation communication skills to build strong partnerships, while influencing participants to mutually beneficial outcomes.

Who you are

You can demonstrate a minimum of 10-years' experience in Mainframe technology operating systems or system programming experience. You also have: Fluency with Mainframe tools including, z/OS, Parallel Sysplex, SMPE, RMF, SMF, WLM. Understanding of System z architecture, zOSMF. Deep expertise on mainframe configuration and performance of DASD, VTL, TCP/IP, z14/15 hardware, coupling facilities. NTP time sources, etc. Experience addressing Technical Show-stoppers. Strong Network architecture understanding and integration to external systems (FTP, SFTP, MQ, Web services). Knowledge on z/OS Data Replication Strategy Experience in mainframe LPAR builds, cloning. Extensive Knowledge z/OS Mainframe configuration and setup. Knowledge of z/OS security and z/OS systems programming functions; PARMLIB configuration and JES2 customization.