Looking for Mainframe Platform Engineer contract job

Tech Mirrors; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tech Mirrors is seeking a Mainframe Platform Engineer in McLean, VA, for a long-term in-person role. The engineer will act as a technical lead, overseeing mainframe operations and infrastructure upgrades while ensuring compliance with security standards.

Candidates must have at least 5 years of hands-on experience and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Key responsibilities include risk management, system upgrade oversight, and acting as a liaison between teams and the Managed Service Supplier.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mainframe infrastructure engineering.
• Detailed knowledge of z/OS architectures and internals.
• Knowledge of mainframe security related to audits and findings is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations and upgrades for Mainframe Platform infrastructure.
• Interface between teams for issue resolution and change coordination.
• Perform risk management and compliance assurance for infrastructure changes.

Skills

Mainframe infrastructure engineering

z/OS

DB2

RACF

Technical lead

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

zSecure

JCL

CICS

SQL

Job description

Position: Mainframe Platform Engineer

Location: McLean, VA - 100% ONSITE

Duration: 8+ months

In-Person Interview

Responsibilities

• Technical Lead for Mainframe Platform (z/OS| Dell Storage| IMS| DB2| RACF| CA JobTrac) to govern operations, changes and sustainability upgrade projects.
• Interface between Freddie Mac teams and Managed Service Supplier for issue resolution & change coordination.
• Accountable for governance and oversight on contractual SLAs and key metrics.
• Perform technical review, validation, coordination and compliance assurance for Vendor Managed and business requested Mainframe infrastructure changes (maintenance and sustainability upgrades).
• Execute risk management controls, baseline security compliance activities and audit support involving technical review and execution of z/OS| IMS| DB2 and zSecure subsystems involving RACF security.
• Work as client side technical SME for Mainframe infrastructure subsystems to hold Managed Service Provider accountable to deliver on the changes and contracted services.
• Requires detailed knowledge of z/OS| IMS and DB2 subsystems and RACF security services; must be flexible for unscheduled engagement to lead & drive major incident resolutions & planned after-hour releases.
• Perform root cause analysis with corrective and preventive measures.
• Communicates and influences effectively.

Your Impact

• Identifies technical risks to planned system upgrades and works toward implementing mitigations to those risks.
• Reviews completion and implementation of system upgrades and/or enhancements and makes recommendations to management on opportunities for improvement.
• Identifies, analyzes, and resolves system problems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in mainframe infrastructure engineering.
• Knowledge of z/OS architectures and z/OS internals.
• Knowledge of the zSecure tool and its own language | Carla for customization a plus.
• Knowledge of mainframe security and RACF.
• Knowledge of mainframe security related to supporting audits & findings in reference to BSCs, key management a plus.
• Knowledge of IBM Mainframe System – JCL, CICS, SQL, z/OS, DB2, IMS, VSAM, XML, TSO/ISPF, zconnect.

Keys to Success in This Role

Proactive and ability to think creatively and execute in a manner that respects and meets appropriate internal controls.

Education

At least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Software/Electronics Engineering, Information Systems, or closely related field is required.