Mainframe Engineer

W Talent; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

W Talent is seeking a skilled mainframe engineer to help support the design, implementation, and ongoing optimisation of the client’s mainframe environment in the US. You will collaborate with development, infrastructure, and operations teams to drive reliability and performance, while contributing to modernisation and automation initiatives.

The role requires solid IBM z/OS experience, familiarity with WLM/RACF, and a proactive approach to problem-solving within a mature IT environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 5+ years in mainframe engineering, operations, infrastructure, or a related technical role.
• Practical experience with IBM z/OS and associated mainframe technologies.
• Working knowledge of WLM and RACF.
• Experience supporting mainframe performance, troubleshooting, or service delivery activities.
• Understanding of mainframe resilience, availability, and Business Continuity Planning concepts.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing optimisation of mainframe solutions aligned with requirements.
• Work with mainframe development, operations, and infrastructure teams to resolve issues and improve reliability.
• Assist with mainframe intake and change processes, including workload support and performance tuning (z/OS, zLinux, WLM, PR/SM).
• Support resilience and Business Continuity Planning activities using Ansible, CSM, and related technologies.
• Monitor mainframe performance using SMF/RMF telemetry and collaborate with application teams to address issues.
• Contribute to automation and modernisation initiatives and document configurations and processes.

Skills

IBM z/OS

Mainframe performance

RACF

WLM

Ansible automation

Python automation

OpenShift

zLinux

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

Ansible

Python

OpenShift

Metro Mirror

Global Mirror

CSM

Job description

In this role, you will support the engineering, optimisation, and resilience of the client’s mainframe environment. You will work as part of a technical team to help maintain reliable, scalable, and high-performing mainframe systems, while supporting ongoing modernisation and automation initiatives.

The role will involve working across mainframe engineering, performance, resilience, and business continuity activities. The ideal candidate will have solid experience with IBM z/OS environments, an interest in automation and modernisation, and the ability to work collaboratively with development, infrastructure, and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, implementation, and ongoing optimisation of mainframe solutions aligned with the client’s technology requirements.
• Work with mainframe development, operations, and infrastructure teams to resolve technical issues and improve platform reliability.
• Assist with mainframe intake and change processes, including supporting new workloads and performance tuning across z/OS, zLinux, WLM, and PR/SM.
• Support mainframe resilience and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) activities using technologies including Ansible, CSM, Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, safeguarded copies, intra-data-centre HyperSwap, and failover/failback processes.
• Monitor and analyse mainframe performance using relevant SMF and RMF telemetry and application traces, working with application teams to identify and resolve performance issues.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving z/OS performance-related incidents.
• Contribute to the evaluation and adoption of new technologies, tools, and automation approaches to improve the mainframe environment.
• Follow established mainframe engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
• Maintain technical documentation relating to mainframe systems, processes, and configurations.
• Participate in ITSM processes, including Release and Change activities, Incident Management, and Problem Management.
• Work collaboratively with enterprise architecture, infrastructure, application, and operations teams on mainframe-related initiatives.
• Support ongoing mainframe modernisation, integration, and migration activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve automation, resilience, performance, and operational efficiency across the mainframe environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• o5+ years of experience working in mainframe engineering, operations, infrastructure, or a related technical role.
• Practical experience with IBM z/OS and associated mainframe technologies.
• Working knowledge of WLM and RACF.
• Experience supporting mainframe performance, troubleshooting, or service delivery activities.
• Understanding of mainframe resilience, availability, and Business Continuity Planning concepts.
• Some experience with mainframe modernisation, integration, or migration projects.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work within established processes while also identifying opportunities for technical improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with zLinux, OpenShift, or hybrid IT environments.
• Exposure to Red Hat Ansible, including Ansible for IBM Z Collections.
• Experience with Ansible and/or Python automation.
• Familiarity with Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, HyperSwap, CSM, or similar mainframe resilience technologies.
• Knowledge of cloud integration and modernisation technologies.
• Experience working in enterprise IT environments.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services sector.
• Relevant IBM or other technical certifications.