Mainframe Architect

Mothership; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT company in Texas is looking for a Mainframe Architect with extensive experience in z/OS system architecture. This role will involve architecting, installing, and configuring z/OS operating systems, driving system performance, and providing leadership to a team of mainframe professionals. The ideal candidate must have strong debugging skills, experience with hardware upgrades, and be proficient in system security administration. Competitive compensation is offered.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a z/OS System Architect.
• Strong hands-on skills in system-level debugging and workload management.
• Proven experience with mainframe hardware upgrades and configuration.

Responsibilities

• Architect, install, configure, and maintain z/OS operating systems.
• Drive system-level performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Provide leadership and technical oversight to the mainframe team.

Skills

z/OS system architecture

System administration

Production control

Performance optimization

Mainframe security administration

Leadership and mentoring

Tools

SMP/E

JES2

RACF

IWS (TWS)

JOBTRAC

System Automation (SA)

CA OPS/MVS

Job description

Job Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe Architect with deep expertise in z/OS system architecture and a strong background in system administration, production control, scheduling, storage, networking, and automation. The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading mainframe teams and driving technical excellence across system performance, upgrades, and operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Architect, install, configure, upgrade, and maintain z/OS operating systems and associated system software (SMP/E, JES2, RACF, SMF, etc.).

Perform IODF/IOCP configurations and support hardware and virtual tape system (VTS) upgrades.

Drive system-level performance tuning, capacity planning, and z/OS version upgrades.

Provide leadership and technical oversight to a team of mainframe professionals, including system programmers and administrators.

Manage and optimize production control and scheduling using tools such as IWS (TWS) and JOBTRAC.

Lead root cause analysis and resolution of complex outages and system issues.

Ensure best practices in mainframe storage management, networking, security (including RACF), and disaster recovery.

Oversee automation initiatives using tools such as System Automation (SA) and CA OPS/MVS.

Collaborate cross-functionally to support infrastructure upgrades and business continuity planning.

Required Skills & Experience:

Extensive experience as a z/OS System Architect.

Strong hands-on skills in system-level debugging, workload management (WLM), and performance optimization.

Proven experience with mainframe hardware upgrades and configuration.

Deep understanding of DB2, IMS, CICS, MQ, and WAS environments.

Knowledge of mainframe security administration including RACF.

Experience leading and mentoring technical teams.

Familiarity with capacity management and performance monitoring tools.

Excellent communication and documentation skills.