Mainframe Administrator

IPolarity; Hanover Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

IPolarity seeks a seasoned Mainframe DB2 Systems Programmer to manage and support DB2 for z/OS subsystems in a mission-critical enterprise environment. You will install, configure, upgrade, and maintain DB2 components while ensuring high availability and security across multiple sites.

You will optimize system performance, support capacity planning, and drive data sharing and DR strategies with Sysplex, coupling facilities, and batch/transactional workloads.

Qualifications

• 7–12+ years of mainframe experience.
• 3–5+ years in DB2 Systems Programming / Administration.
• Experience with IBM DB2 for z/OS and Replication products (Qrep, SQLrep and CDC).
• Deep knowledge of: ZPARMs and subsystem configuration; Buffer pools, logs, BSDS, catalog/directory.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for: System-level DB2 issues; Performance and connectivity problems.
• Proficiency in: JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF; SMP/E (preferred).
• Familiarity with: DB2 utilities and performance tools; Monitoring tools (OMEGAMON, MainView).
• Knowledge of: DevOps tools for mainframe (Endevor, ISPW, etc.).
• Exposure to: Cloud integration or hybrid architectures.
• Experience with: Large-scale DB2 upgrades or migrations; Performance optimization initiatives.
• Knowledge of: Modernization tools (z/OS Connect, APIs).
• Experience with software support for BMC for DB2 Tools, IBM z/OS Connect, Software AG ADABAS and Natural products.
• Programming experience with REXX
• Working knowledge of SQL, JIRA, SMP/E, RACF, TCP/IP, Network certificates, Splunk
• Working knowledge of other Mainframe Subsystems (CICS, IMS, MQ)

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain DB2 for z/OS subsystems
• Perform version upgrades, patching (PTFs/APARs), and system maintenance
• Manage subsystem configuration and initialization parameters
• Maintain core DB2 components: ZPARMs (DSNZPARM), Buffer pools, Logs and BSDS, Catalog and directory
• Monitor and tune DB2 system-level performance (CPU, memory, I/O)
• Optimize Buffer pools, Locking and concurrency, Thread and connection performance
• Support capacity planning and performance analysis using DB2 and system tools
• Manage and support DB2 Data Sharing environments (Sysplex), Coupling Facility integration, workload balancing and failover
• Ensure DB2 availability and resilience through DR strategies
• Analyze and resolve subsystem failures, dumps, logs, and abends
• Perform root cause analysis and preventive actions
• Support interaction with Batch (JCL), CICS, IMS, MQ and distributed systems

Skills

Mainframe experience

DB2 for z/OS

JCL

TSO/ISPF

SDSF

REXX programming

SQL

RACF

TCP/IP

MQ

CICS

IMS

SMP/E

Endevor

ISPW

z/OS Connect

DB2 utilities

OMEGAMON

MainView

BMC for DB2 Tools

Tools

DB2 utilities

OMEGAMON

MainView

Endevor

ISPW

z/OS Connect

BMC for DB2 Tools

Job description

Mainframe DB2 Systems Programmer

Locations: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid), Plano, TX, Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Pennington, NJ, Chicago, IL

The Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe DB2 Systems Administrator to manage and support DB2 for z/OS subsystems in a mission‑critical enterprise environment. This role is responsible for installation, configuration, performance tuning, and overall health of DB2 subsystems, ensuring high availability, security, and optimal performance.

Responsibilities:

DB2 Installation & Configuration

• Install, configure, and maintain DB2 for z/OS subsystems
• Perform version upgrades, patching (PTFs/APARs), and system maintenance
• Manage subsystem configuration and initialization parameters
• Maintain core DB2 components:
  • ZPARMs (DSNZPARM)
  • Buffer pools
  • Logs and BSDS
  • Catalog and directory

Performance & Capacity Management

• Monitor and tune DB2 system‑level performance (CPU, memory, I/O)
• Optimize:
  • Buffer pools
  • Locking and concurrency
  • Thread and connection performance
• Support capacity planning and performance analysis using DB2 and system tools

High Availability & Data Sharing

• Manage and support:
  • DB2 Data Sharing environments (Sysplex)
  • Coupling Facility integration
  • Workload balancing and failover
• Ensure DB2 availability and resilience through DR strategies

System Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Analyze and resolve:
  • Subsystem failures
  • Dumps, logs, and abends
  • Connectivity issues affecting DB2 operations
• Perform root cause analysis and implement preventive actions
• Support interaction with:
  • Batch (JCL)
  • CICS
  • IMS
  • MQ and distributed systems

Required Qualifications:

• 7–12+ years of mainframe experience
• 3–5+ years in DB2 Systems Programming / Administration
• Experience with IBM DB2 for z/OS and Replication products (Qrep, SQLrep and CDC) - software installation, version upgrades and maintenance, certification testing, documentation of operational procedures, disaster recovery testing
• Deep knowledge of:
  • ZPARMs and subsystem configuration
  • Buffer pools, logs, BSDS, catalog/directory
• Strong troubleshooting skills for:
  • System‑level DB2 issues
  • Performance and connectivity problems
• Proficiency in:
  • JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF
  • SMP/E (preferred)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with:
  • DB2 utilities and performance tools
  • Monitoring tools (OMEGAMON, MainView)
• Knowledge of:
  • DevOps tools for mainframe (Endevor, ISPW, etc.)
• Exposure to:
  • Cloud integration or hybrid architectures
• Experience with:
  • Large‑scale DB2 upgrades or migrations
  • Performance optimization initiatives
• Knowledge of:
  • Modernization tools (z/OS Connect, APIs)
• Experience with software support for BMC for DB2 Tools, IBM z/OS Connect, Software AG ADABAS and Natural products
• Programming experience with REXX
• Working knowledge of SQL, JIRA, SMP/E, RACF, TCP/IP, Network certificates, Splunk
• Working knowledge of other Mainframe Subsystems (CICS, IMS, MQ)

Flexible work from home options available.