Mainframe Engineer

Ztek Consulting; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Ztek Consulting, Inc. seeks a seasoned z/OS System Programmer to manage installation, upgrades, and maintenance of IBM mainframe environments in a fast-paced enterprise setting.

You will work with leading ISV products and mainframe subsystems, coordinating with vendors and operations teams to ensure system reliability and optimal performance. The role includes 24/7 on-call support and DR readiness.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with z/OS installation, configuration, and maintenance.
• Experience applying IBM PTFs and APARs to maintain system integrity.
• Plan and execute z/OS upgrades and migrations.
• Collaborate with hardware and software vendors for problem resolution.
• Provide expert-level support for mainframe incidents.

Responsibilities

• Triage and resolve critical mainframe incidents in timely manner.
• Analyze system logs and performance data to identify bottlenecks.
• Manage and maintain critical system datasets (e.g., SYSRES, Page datasets, SMF datasets).
• Monitor health and performance using RMF, SMF, TMON, and SAS.
• Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 support.

Skills

z/OS administration

Mainframe problem solving

RMF/SMF performance analysis

JES/IO subsystem knowledge

HMC/SE familiarity

Tools

HMC/SE

IOCDS/IODF

FICON

GDPS

WLM

Job description

• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with z/OS operating system installation, configuration, and maintenance.
• Proven experience with major z/OS upgrades.
• Extensive experience with the installation and support of various ISV products from vendors such as Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, and Rocket Software.
• Hands‑on experience with IBM Z mainframe hardware including CPCs, LPAR configuration, HMC/SE operation, IOCDS/IODF management, FICON channels, OSA, Coupling Facility structures, and hardware upgrades or migration.
• Understanding of automation tools such as OPS/MVS, System Automation, Automation Point, and integration of alerts/monitoring across enterprise operations.
• Familiarity with ZEKE Scheduler to support operations teams and diagnose JES/workload issues.
• Exposure to large enterprises or regulated environments.
• Plan, prepare, and execute z/OS operating system upgrades.
• Apply IBM PTFs and APARs to maintain system integrity and resolve reported issues
• Monitor z/OS system health, performance, and resource utilization using tools like RMF, SMF, TMON and SAS.
• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain a wide range of ISV products (e.g., Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, Rocket Software, etc.)
• Have good understanding and experience on Hardware Configuration Definitions / IOCP and HMC Management and WLM management.
• Collaborate with vendors for problem resolution, licensing, and technical support.
• Ensure compatibility and integration of ISV products with the z/OS environment.
• Manage and maintain critical system datasets (e.g., SYSRES, Page datasets, SMF datasets).
• Provide expert-level support for mainframe incidents, including problem determination, diagnosis, and resolution in a timely manner.
• Analyse system performance data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements.
• Tune various z/OS components, WLM (Workload Manager), and ISV products to optimize resource utilization and application performance.
• Support DR planning, setup, IPL testing, replication technologies (e.g., GDPS), and DR event execution.
• Analyse system logs, sysout, dumps, and diagnostic data for complex issues
• Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 support of critical systems.