Mainframe Infrastructure Engineer (Hybrid Role)

Kyndryl; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 62,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Kyndryl is seeking a Mainframe Infrastructure Engineer for on-site work in the Phoenix, AZ area. You will operate, optimize, and secure z/OS environments, with hands-on experience across DB2, CICS, IMS, IBM MQ, and batch scheduling tools.

This role emphasizes reliability, incident management, and collaboration with application teams. You will participate in production control, storage management, and security compliance, while supporting DR readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in mainframe (z/OS) infrastructure or production support.
• Hands-on knowledge of z/OS, JES2/JES3, TSO/ISPF, SDSF.
• Practical experience with at least two of: DB2, CICS, IMS, IBM MQ (configuration, troubleshooting, performance).
• Production control experience with Control‑M, CA‑7, ESP/Autosys, or equivalent; deep JCL and batch troubleshooting skills.
• Storage fundamentals: DFSMS, DFSMShsm, ICF catalog/IDCAMS, DASD/tape operations, space/VTOC management.
• Proficiency with monitoring and performance analysis (RMF/SMF, OMEGAMON, or similar).
• Familiarity with RACF/ACF2/Top Secret concepts, access models, and audit support.
• Solid understanding of ITIL processes and experience using an ITSM tool (ServiceNow) for incident/problem/change.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills; ability to work in a follow-the-sun/on-call support model.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and optimize z/OS LPARs, Sysplex, WLM, JES2/JES3, USS/OMVS, TSO/ISPF, SDSF.
• Install, configure, and maintain mainframe software using SMP/E and vendor best practices.
• Monitor and tune system performance using RMF, SMF, OMEGAMON (or equivalent); address CPU, memory, I/O, and throughput.
• Support and administer DB2 for z/OS, CICS TS, IMS (DB/TM), and IBM MQ: configuration, health checks, upgrades/maintenance, performance tuning, high availability.
• Work with application teams for deployment validation, capacity estimates, SQL/CICS/IMS tuning, MQ channel/queue configuration, and resolving production incidents.
• Manage workload automation and batch scheduling with Control‑M, CA‑7, ESP/Autosys, or equivalent; ensure batch SLAs and critical path adherence.
• Troubleshoot JCL, dataset management, procs, condition codes, and abends; perform restart/recovery and reruns.
• Improve job streams for efficiency and reliability (dependency modeling, calendars, alerts, event‑driven triggers).
• Administer DFSMS, DFSMShsm, IDCAMS; manage DASD and tape subsystems; replication and DR readiness.
• Implement and maintain RACF/ACF2/Top Secret security controls; support audits and compliance (SOX, PCI, ISO).
• Participate in ITSM/Change Management: incident, problem, change processes; runbooks and architecture diagrams.

Skills

z/OS

Mainframe infrastructure

JCL & Batch

RMF/SMF monitoring

ServiceNow ITIL

On-call support

Stakeholder management

Tools

SMP/E

JES2/JES3

Control‑M

CA‑7

ESP/Autosys

RMF/SMF

IDCAMS

DB2 for z/OS

CICS TS

IMS DB/TM

IBM MQ

Job description

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we design, build, manage and modernize the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on every day. So why work at Kyndryl? We are always moving forward – always pushing ourselves to go further in our efforts to build a more equitable, inclusive world for our employees, our customers and our communities.

The Role

Mainframe Infrastructure Engineers at Kyndryl are project-based subject matter experts in all things infrastructure – good at providing analysis, documenting and diagraming work for hand-off, offering timely solutions, and generally “figuring it out.” This is a hands‑on role where your feel for the interaction between a system and its environment will be invaluable to every one of your clients.

* This role requires employees to live in or around the Phoenix, AZ area. You will be responsible to be onsite 3 days a week. We will consider candidates who are willing to relocate to the area.

Responsibilities

Platform & Infrastructure Operations

• Operate, maintain, and optimize z/OS LPARs, Sysplex, WLM, JES2/JES3, USS/OMVS, TSO/ISPF, SDSF.

• Install, configure, and maintain mainframe software using SMP/E and vendor best practices.

• Monitor and tune system performance using RMF, SMF, OMEGAMON (or equivalent), addressing CPU, memory, I/O, and throughput.

Subsystem & Product Support (MF Application-Adjacent)

• Support and administer DB2 for z/OS, CICS TS, IMS (DB/TM), and IBM MQ: configuration, health checks, upgrades/maintenance, performance tuning, and high availability.

• Work with application teams for deployment validation, capacity estimates, SQL/CICS/IMS tuning, MQ channel/queue configuration, and resolving production incidents.

Production Control & Scheduling

• Manage workload automation and batch scheduling with tools such as Control‑M, CA‑7, ESP/Autosys, or equivalent; ensure batch SLAs and critical path adherence.

• Troubleshoot JCL, dataset management, procs, condition codes, and abends; perform restart/recovery and reruns.

• Improve job streams for efficiency and reliability (dependency modeling, calendars, alerts, event‑driven triggers).

Storage Management

• Administer DFSMS (ACS routines, storage groups/classes), DFSMShsm (HSM policies, space management, migration/recall), and Catalog/ICF management (IDCAMS).

• Manage DASD and tape subsystems (e.g., DS8000, TS7700), volumes, VTOCs, data sets, and replication.

• Partner with backup/recovery teams on policy, FlashCopy/Snap, DR readiness, and test execution.

Reliability, Security & Compliance

• Implement and maintain RACF/ACF2/Top Secret security controls; support audits and compliance (SOX, PCI, ISO, etc.).

• Participate in BCP/DR planning, testing, and documentation.

• Apply SRE/operational excellence practices: error budgets, toil reduction, problem elimination, and automation‑first mindset.

ITSM & Change Management

• Drive incident, problem, and change processes (e.g., in ServiceNow): root cause analysis, post‑incident reviews, and controlled deployments.

• Author and maintain runbooks, SOPs, architecture diagrams, and knowledge articles.

Your future at Kyndryl
There are lots of opportunities to gain certification and qualifications on the job, and you’ll continuously grow Many of our Mainframe Infrastructure Engineers are on a path toward becoming either an Architect or Distinguished Engineer, and there are opportunities at every skill level to grow in either of these directions.

Kyndryl currently does not require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, however, if you are hired to work at a client, customer, or partner location, you may be required to show proof ofvaccinationto align with their respective COVID-19vaccinationpolicies. Those who believe they are eligible may apply for a medical or religious accommodation prior to the start of employment.

Who You Are

You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer‑focused – someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in mainframe (z/OS) infrastructure or production support roles.
• Strong hands‑on knowledge of z/OS, JES2/JES3, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, USS/OMVS, SMP/E.
• Practical experience with at least two of: DB2, CICS, IMS, IBM MQ (configuration, troubleshooting, performance).
• Production control experience with Control‑M, CA‑7, ESP/Autosys, or equivalent; deep JCL and batch troubleshooting skills.
• Storage fundamentals: DFSMS, DFSMShsm, ICF catalog/IDCAMS, DASD/tape operations, space/VTOC management.
• Proficiency with monitoring and performance analysis (RMF/SMF, OMEGAMON, or similar).
• Familiarity with RACF/ACF2/Top Secret concepts, access models, and audit support.
• Solid understanding of ITIL processes and experience using an ITSM tool (preferably ServiceNow) for incident/problem/change.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills; ability to work in a follow‑the‑sun/on‑call support model.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Parallel Sysplex, GDPS, XCF, and high‑availability designs.
• Advanced tuning skills for DB2 buffer pools, CICS regions, IMS databases, MQ channels/queues.
• Exposure to z/OSMF, Ansible for z/OS, Zowe, or API‑driven automation.
• Knowledge of networking on z/OS (TCP/IP stacks, VTAM/SNA, Enterprise Extender).
• Scripting/programming: REXX, Assembler basics, COBOL reading, Python on USS.
• Experience with capacity planning and cost optimization (MSUs, WLM policies).
• Background in regulated/enterprise environments (financial services, government, healthcare, retail).

Technologies (Representative)

• OS & Core : z/OS, JES2/JES3, WLM, USS, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, SMP/E, IPCS
• Subsystems : DB2 for z/OS, CICS TS, IMS DB/TM, IBM MQ
• Scheduling : Control‑M, CA‑7, ESP/Autosys (or similar)
• Monitoring : RMF/SMF, OMEGAMON, SYSVIEW, Mainview, Splunk/ELK (if integrated)
• Storage : DFSMS, DFSMShsm, ICF Catalog/IDCAMS, DS8000, TS7700
• Security : RACF/ACF2/Top Secret, z/OS RACF panels, auditing tools
• ITSM : ServiceNow (Inc/Prob/Change/CMDB)
• Automation/Dev : REXX, JCL, ISPF dialogs, USS shell, Zowe/Ansible (nice to have)

3 days onsite per week, Phoenix Metro Area, Arizona

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The compensation range for the position in the U.S. is $61,560 to $146,640

based on a full‑time schedule.

Your actual compensation may vary depending on your geography, job‑related skills and experience. For part time roles, the compensation will be adjusted appropriately. The pay or salary range will not be below any applicable state, city or local minimum wage requirement.

This position will be eligible for Kyndryl’s discretionary annual bonus program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Kyndryl’s applicable plans. You may also receive a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical and dental coverage, disability, retirement benefits, paid leave, and paid time off. Note: If this is a sales commission eligible role, you will be eligible to participate in a sales commission plan in lieu of the annual discretionary bonus program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Being You

Diversity is a whole lot more than what we look like or where we come from, it’s how we think and who we are. We welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. But we’re not doing it single‑handily: Our Kyndryl Inclusion Networks are only one of many ways we create a workplace where all Kyndryls can find and provide support and advice. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you – and everyone next to you – the ability to bring your whole self to work, individually and collectively, and support the activation of our equitable culture. That’s the Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

With state‑of‑the‑art resources and Fortune 100 clients, every day is an opportunity to innovate, build new capabilities, new relationships, new processes, and new value. Kyndryl cares about your well‑being and prides itself on offering benefits that give you choice, reflect the diversity of our employees and support you and your family through the moments that matter – wherever you are in your life journey. Our employee learningprograms give you access to the best learning in the industry to receive certifications, includingMicrosoft, Google, Amazon, Skillsoft, and many more. Through our company‑wide volunteering and giving platform, you can donate, start fundraisers, volunteer, and search over 2 million non‑profit organizations. At Kyndryl, we invest heavily in you, we want you to succeed so that together, we will all succeed.

Get Referred!
If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asking ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact’s Kyndryl email address.