Mainframe IMS System Programmer - Phoenix, AZ - Long term Contract

TechVirtue LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TechVirtue LLC is seeking a highly skilled Mainframe IMS System Programmer to manage IBM z/OS IMS environments in a banking/financial services setting. Responsibilities include ensuring stability, availability, performance, and security of IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems.

Ideal candidates have extensive IMS DB/TM administration experience, strong troubleshooting skills, and familiarity with RACF, RACF security controls, and Sysplex HA architectures.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with IBM z/OS.
• Hands-on IMS DB and IMS TM administration.
• Familiarity with RACF security controls for IMS environments.
• Experience with Sysplex and high availability architectures.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems on IBM z/OS.
• Perform version upgrades, maintenance, and patching to ensure system currency.
• Manage IMS definitions: DBDs, PSBs, ACB libraries, control regions.
• Configure and tune buffers, parameters, and resources for performance.
• Monitor IMS performance; analyze logs, dumps, abends; resolve issues.
• Support IMS backup/recovery processes and disaster recovery testing.
• Ensure integration with DB2, MQ, CICS, TCP/IP, Sysplex.
• Follow ITIL/ServiceNow change management for updates.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and configurations.

Skills

IMS z/OS experience

IMS DB/IMS TM administration

Troubleshooting & performance tuning

Disaster recovery planning

ITIL/ServiceNow change management

Tools

JCL

TSO/ISPF

SDSF

RMF

SMP/E

Job description

Duration: Long Term -

The Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe IMS System Programmer to support and manage IBM z/OS IMS environments. The role is responsible for ensuring the stability, availability, performance, and security of IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems in a mission-critical banking or financial services environment.

Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems on IBM z/OS
• Perform version upgrades, maintenance, and patching to ensure system currency and stability
• Manage and maintain IMS system definitions, including DBDs, PSBs, ACB libraries, and control regions
• Configure and tune buffer pools, parameters, and system resources to optimize performance
• Monitor IMS database and transaction performance, proactively identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues by analyzing logs, dumps, abends, and database errors
• Support IMS utilities, backup/recovery processes, and disaster recovery testing
• Ensure seamless integration with z/OS, DB2, MQ, CICS, TCP/IP, and Sysplex environments
• Implement and follow ITIL/ServiceNow change management processes for all system updates
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and system configurations

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience with IBM z/OS operating system
• Hands-on experience with IMS DB and IMS TM administration

Deep knowledge of:

• IMS control regions and transaction processing
• Buffer pool tuning and performance optimization
• Experience with IMS utilities, backup/recovery, and DR strategies
• Strong troubleshooting skills (dump analysis, log analysis, abend resolution)

Experience integrating IMS with:

• DB2, CICS, MQ, and distributed systems
• Familiarity with RACF security controls for IMS environments
• Experience with SMP/E, JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF
• Understanding of Sysplex and high availability architectures

Preferred Experience:

• Exposure to IMS modernization or API enablement (z/OS Connect, REST integration)
• Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., OMEGAMON, MainView, RMF)
• Knowledge of automation tools (REXX, Ansible, z/OSMF workflows)
• Experience with DB control, TCPIP, ZOS Connect, Assembler routines.
• Skill and experience with IMS Routines & Exit Routines will be a big plus.