Mainframe DBA Manager

BCforward; Indianapolis (IN); Remote; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Contract role – 12 months

Job summary

BCforward is seeking a Mainframe DBA Lead/Manager (DB2 for z/OS) to join our team. The candidate will lead enterprise DB2 for z/OS administration, performance tuning, backup and recovery, migrations, and security while mentoring DBA teams.

The role requires strong leadership, modernization initiatives, and collaboration with z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ, Storage, and Security teams. Remote (US) contract – 12 months.

Qualifications

• Extensive DB2 for z/OS DBA experience, including subsystem management and data sharing.
• Strong knowledge of buffer pools, database design, tablespaces, indexes, and the DB2 catalog.
• Expertise in SQL performance tuning, backup and recovery, and DB2 utilities.
• Proficiency with z/OS, JCL, SDSF, TSO/ISPF, and JES2.
• Experience level: 12-20+ years Mainframe, 8-16+ years DB2 for z/OS DBA, including leadership of upgrades, performance projects, data sharing, DR exercises, major incidents, and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration and support for enterprise DB2 for z/OS environments across Dev, Test, UAT, DR, and Prod.
• Define and maintain database standards, best practices, and engineering procedures to ensure availability, performance, and resiliency.
• Review and approve database architectures including tablespaces, partitioning, indexing, and storage designs for large-scale applications.
• Drive database modernization and optimization initiatives.
• Lead performance engineering including analysis of SQL, access paths, buffer pools, dynamic SQL, distributed workloads, and locking/concurrency; establish baselines and capacity plans.
• Manage and optimize DB2 utilities such as REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, LOAD, UNLOAD, RECOVER, and REBUILD INDEX; schedule and automate maintenance.
• Define, validate, and test backup, recovery, and DR strategies to meet RTO/RPO; maintain runbooks.
• Lead DB2 version upgrades, subsystem migrations, software maintenance, and PTF implementations; align with vendor currency.
• Serve as L3/L4 escalation for incidents; conduct troubleshooting, RCA, and drive permanent fixes and change governance.
• Ensure security and compliance, including RACF integration, access controls, audits, and regulatory adherence.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring; lead reviews, workshops, and knowledge transfer; establish operational best practices.
• Collaborate with z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ, Storage, Security, and Application teams to support integration and modernization.

Skills

DB2 for z/OS

SQL tuning

Leadership

z/OS tools

Security/compliance

Tools

BMC DB2 toolsets

DB2 automation frameworks

REXX scripting

Job description

Job Title: Mainframe DBA ManagerLocation: Remote (US)Duration: Contract - 12 monthsPay Range: $65-$76/hr. W-2Job ID: 411417

About BCforward

BCforward is a leading global IT consulting and workforce solutions firm providing services and support to Fortune 500 and government clients. Founded in 1998, BCforward has grown with our customers needs into a full-service business solutions provider. With delivery centers and offices across North America and India, we take pride in building long-term relationships and delivering excellence through innovation, collaboration, and integrity.

Job Description

We are seeking a Mainframe DBA Lead/Manager (DB2 for z/OS) to join our team. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in DB2 for z/OS administration, engineering, performance tuning, backup and recovery, migrations, and security and a proven ability to lead complex upgrades, drive modernization, ensure availability and resiliency, and mentor DBA teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration and support for enterprise DB2 for z/OS environments across Dev, Test, UAT, DR, and Prod.
• Define and maintain database standards, best practices, and engineering procedures to ensure availability, performance, and resiliency.
• Review and approve database architectures including tablespaces, partitioning, indexing, and storage designs for large-scale applications.
• Drive database modernization and optimization initiatives.
• Lead performance engineering including analysis of SQL, access paths, buffer pools, dynamic SQL, distributed workloads, and locking/concurrency; establish baselines and capacity plans.
• Manage and optimize DB2 utilities such as REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, LOAD, UNLOAD, RECOVER, and REBUILD INDEX; schedule and automate maintenance.
• Define, validate, and test backup, recovery, and DR strategies to meet RTO/RPO; maintain runbooks.
• Lead DB2 version upgrades, subsystem migrations, software maintenance, and PTF implementations; align with vendor currency.
• Serve as L3/L4 escalation for incidents; conduct troubleshooting, RCA, and drive permanent fixes and change governance.
• Ensure security and compliance, including RACF integration, access controls, audits, and regulatory adherence.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring; lead reviews, workshops, and knowledge transfer; establish operational best practices.
• Collaborate with z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ, Storage, Security, and Application teams to support integration and modernization.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Extensive DB2 for z/OS DBA experience, including subsystem management and data sharing.
• Strong knowledge of buffer pools, database design, tablespaces, indexes, and the DB2 catalog.
• Expertise in SQL performance tuning, access path analysis, capacity planning, backup and recovery, and DB2 utilities.
• Proficiency with z/OS, JCL, SDSF, TSO/ISPF, and JES2.
• Experience with SMP/E, DB2 upgrades, database encryption, and audit/compliance controls.
• Experience level: 12-20+ years Mainframe, 8-16+ years DB2 for z/OS DBA, including leadership of upgrades, performance projects, data sharing, DR exercises, major incidents, and standards.

Preferred Skills

• DB2 Data Sharing and Parallel Sysplex.
• BMC DB2 toolsets and DB2 automation frameworks.
• REXX scripting; familiarity with IMS, CICS, and MQ integrations.
• Support for cloud connectivity and modernization initiatives.

Why BCforward?

• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Opportunities for growth with global clients.
• A supportive, inclusive culture that values innovation and people.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and projects.

About Our Commitment

BCforward is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.