Legacy Mainframe / Z-Systems Specialist

s Advancio, Inc.; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Advancio, Inc. in Downey, CA seeks a mainframe specialist to operate and migrate data on IBM Z/OS and legacy systems (CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS). The role spans production operations to senior systems programming and data conversion for modernization projects.

5–7 years in mainframe operations or application programming; 3–5 years in lead roles for senior positions. Proficiency with COBOL, NATURAL, Assembler, REXX, JCL, Control-M, Endevor; experience with DB2, Oracle, SQL Server in data-conversion

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in mainframe operations, systems programming, or application programming (role-dependent).
• For senior/lead roles: 3–5 years in a lead capacity.
• 2–3 years working with legacy and relational data technologies (DB2, FOCUS, Oracle, SQL Server) for conversion-focused roles.

Responsibilities

• Start, stop, and monitor mainframe system tasks and subsystems (transaction processing, database systems, OS)
• Perform orderly shutdown/startup ('restart operations') of production workloads
• Plan, install, configure, and upgrade Z/OS systems and core system software products
• Administer and tune hierarchical (IMS), relational (DB2), and file-based (ADABAS) databases
• Develop, debug, and maintain mainframe application code (COBOL, NATURAL, Assembler, REXX)
• Support data mapping, crosswalk analysis, and validation during legacy-to-modern data conversion
• Manage production job scheduling and troubleshooting (Control-M, JCL, Endevor)
• Maintain detailed documentation and ticketing records for audits and knowledge continuity
• Facilitate knowledge transfer/training to build succession depth on an aging skill set

Skills

Z/OS

CICS

IMS

DB2

ADABAS

ACF2

ENTIREX

SMP/E

JCL

Control-M

CA Spool

TSO/ISPF

Endevor

Data conversion/ETL

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT-related field

Tools

Cherwell

Job description

Operates, administers, programs, or migrates data on IBM Z/OS mainframe systems and adjacent legacy technologies (CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS). Covers the full spectrum from production job operations to senior systems programming/DBA work to legacy data conversion for modernization projects. This talent pool is shrinking industry-wide — treat as a standing sourcing priority, not a reactive one.

Core Responsibilities

• Start, stop, and monitor mainframe system tasks and subsystems (transaction processing, database systems, OS)
• Perform orderly shutdown/startup ('restart operations') of production workloads
• Plan, install, configure, and upgrade Z/OS systems and core system software products
• Administer and tune hierarchical (IMS), relational (DB2), and file-based (ADABAS) databases
• Develop, debug, and maintain mainframe application code (COBOL, NATURAL, Assembler, REXX)
• Support data mapping, crosswalk analysis, and validation during legacy-to-modern data conversion
• Manage production job scheduling and troubleshooting (Control-M, JCL, Endevor)
• Maintain detailed documentation and ticketing records for audits and knowledge continuity
• Facilitate knowledge transfer/training to build succession depth on an aging skill set

Requirements

Skills Required

• Z/OS, CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS, ACF2, ENTIREX, SMP/E
• JCL, Control-M, CA Spool, TSO/ISPF, Endevor
• Data conversion/ETL between legacy and relational/modern platforms
• Ticketing and production-control tooling (Cherwell or similar)

Experience Required

• 5–7 years of experience in mainframe operations, systems programming, or application programming (role-dependent)
• For senior/lead roles: 3–5 years in a lead capacity
• 2–3 years working with legacy and relational data technologies (DB2, FOCUS, Oracle, SQL Server) for conversion-focused roles
• 1–2 years of automation of system monitoring/maintenance procedures for operator-tier roles

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field or equivalent mainframe-operations experience
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis