Mainframe DB2 DBA

BCforward; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

BCforward is seeking a highly motivated and experienced DB2 Database Operations (Ops) Engineer to bridge traditional database administration with agile application development. You will optimize, maintain, and support high-volume DB2 environments on both z/OS and distributed platforms.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on expertise with Q-Replication (QRE), IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator (IDAA), and Db2 Data Gate (Datagate), plus experience in large financial services settings.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in DB2 Database Operations/DBA.
• Proficient with IDAA and Db2 Data Gate.
• Expert in configuring and troubleshooting Q-Replication.
• Experience in enterprise, mainframe environments.
• Amex or financial services experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, maintain, and optimize DB2 for z/OS and distributed databases.
• Configure and troubleshoot Q-Replication to enable real-time streaming.
• Tune IDAA workloads for efficient analytics.
• Manage Db2 Data Gate data synchronization to cloud analytics.
• Collaborate with developers on schema changes, SQL tuning, deployment pipelines.
• Perform root-cause analysis for performance bottlenecks.
• Ensure compliance and security per financial sector standards.

Skills

3–5 years in DB2 Ops/DBA

Q-Replication

IDAA

Datagate

SQL tuning

Mainframe z/OS

Job description

BCforward is seeking a highly motivated and experienced DB2 Database Operations (Ops) Engineer

Note: Candidate must be local to any of these locations: Phoenix, AZ / New York, NY / Sunrise, FL.

Job Title: Mainframe DB2 DBA

Location: (Phoenix, AZ / New York, NY / Sunrise, FL) - Hybrid

Experience Level: Min 3–5+ Years

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled DB2 Database Operations (Ops) Engineer with strong application database management and modern IBM mainframe analytics architecture experience. In this role, you will bridge the gap between traditional database administration and agile application development. You will optimize, maintain, and support high-volume DB2 environments.

The ideal candidate brings specific expertise in Q-Replication (QRE), IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator (IDAA), and Datagate technologies to ensure seamless data movement and near-zero latency analytics. Prior experience working within an American Express (AMEX) environment or similar large-scale financial services infrastructure is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Database Operations & Support: Monitor, maintain, and optimize mission-critical DB2 for z/OS and distributed application databases to ensure 24/7 availability and peak performance.

Replication & Synchronization: Configure, manage, and troubleshoot IBM InfoSphere Data Replication via Q-Replication (QRE) to maintain real-time data streaming across systems.

Analytics Acceleration: Administer and tune IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator (IDAA) workloads, ensuring complex operational reporting queries run at maximum efficiency.

Data Integration: Implement and manage Db2 Data Gate (Datagate) to securely and efficiently synchronize data from z/OS into cloud-native and distributed analytics environments.

Application DB Support: Collaborate directly with application development teams on schema changes, SQL tuning, indexing strategies, and database deployment pipelines.

Performance Tuning: Perform deep-dive root cause analysis on database performance bottlenecks, locking issues, and storage constraints.

Compliance & Security: Adhere to strict financial sector compliance, data privacy standards, and change management workflows.

Required Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years (or more) of dedicated experience in DB2 Database Operations, Database Administration, or Application Database Engineering.

Mainframe Analytics Stack: Proven, hands‑on experience with IDAA (IBM Db2 Analytics Accelerator) and Db2 Data Gate (Datagate).

Data Replication: Strong technical expertise in configuring and troubleshooting Q-Replication (QRE).

Application Lifecycle: Solid understanding of application database design, logical/physical modeling, and deep proficiency in writing and tuning complex SQL.

Environment: Comfortable working in complex, enterprise-grade, high-volume transactional environments.

Preferred Qualifications

American Express Experience: Direct familiarity with Amex technologies, architectural standards, change control protocols, and infrastructure is a major plus.

Financial Services Background: Prior experience navigating heavily regulated environments with strict audit and compliance frameworks.

Automation: Experience utilizing automated deployment tools, scripting (Python, Rexx, JCL), or DevOps pipelines for database changes.

Certifications - like IBM Certified DBA, preferred scripting languages - a plus.