Mainframe Systems Engineer (z/OS & Networking)

Conexess Group; Birmingham (AL); Remote; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Conexess Group is seeking a Mainframe Systems Engineer (z/OS & Networking) for a 100% remote role with potential hybrid in certain locations. You will install, maintain and optimize mainframe environments, ensuring stability, security, and performance while driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include evaluating specs, troubleshooting complex issues, administering mainframe components, and implementing disaster recovery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field with six years of mainframe infra software/hardware analysis, programming, and installation experience.
• High School Diploma or GED with ten years of mainframe infra software/hardware analysis, programming, and installation experience.
• Experience in installation and support of Mainframe system products including ZOS, CICS, MQ, DB2, Storage, Automation, ZLINUX or Networking.
• Experience in problem determination, installation and support of mainframe products, disaster recovery, performance and tuning.
• Experience in opening, managing, solving, and closing problems with vendor support centers.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates system specifications, I/O processes, and parameters for hardware/software compatibility.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex issues related to mainframe systems and applications.
• Administers, configures, and maintains mainframe systems including hardware, OS, and software components.
• Monitors and tunes mainframe operating systems to ensure performance and reliability.
• Maintains installation records and documentation of configurations and procedures.
• Develops backup and disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity.
• Covers on call 24x7 on a rotating basis for issue resolution and Sev1 incidents.
• Supports compliance with risk management programs and cybersecurity practices.

Skills

Mainframe hardware

Networking basics

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Change management

Security awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

High School Diploma with 10 years experience

Tools

z/OS

CICS

MQ

DB2

VTAM

ZLINUX

Job description

Mainframe Systems Engineer (z/OS & Networking)

Terms - Direct Hire / Permanent

Location - 100% Remote - ability for hybrid in specific locations

Terms - Direct Hire / Permanent

The Mainframe Systems Engineer installs and maintains mainframe operating systems ensuring the stability, performance and security of our mainframe environment while driving innovation and continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Evaluates system specifications, input/output processes, and working parameters for hardware/software compatibility
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex technical issues related to mainframe systems and applications
• Administers, configures, and maintains mainframe systems, including hardware, operating systems, and software components
• Maintains operational effectiveness and efficiency by monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting mainframe operating systems
• Maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards
• Maintains installation records by documenting system configurations, procedures, and best practices
• Resolves problems by determining cause, providing technical assistance to applications and other support staff
• Develops and implements backup and disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity
• Covers on call 24x7 on a rotating basis for problem resolution and SEV1 incidents
• Ensures compliance with risk management programs, rules and regulations, and cybersecurity practices; identifies opportunities for and supports process improvements; applies disciplined change management practices

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field and six (6) years of mainframe infrastructure technical software and hardware analysis, programming, and installation experience
• Or High School Diploma or GED with ten (10) years of experience of mainframe infrastructure technical software and hardware analysis, programming, and installation
• Experience in installation and support of Mainframe system products including ZOS, CICS, MQ, DB2, Storage, Automation, ZLINUX or Networking
• Experience in problem determination, installation and support of mainframe products, disaster recovery experience and knowledge, and performance and tuning experience
• Experience in opening, managing, solving, and closing problems with vendor support centers

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to interpret and ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and industry guidance
• Ability to work in a team environment when applicable
• Ability to work under limited guidance
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent problem solving and trouble shooting skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• Strong understanding of mainframe hardware
• Basic Networking Knowledge
  • TCPIP
    • IP V4 addressing, subnetting, utilities like traceroute, ping, etc.
    • Routing protocols (OSPF and static routes in our case)
    • Content delivery, load balancers
    • DNS basic knowledge: forward/reverse lookup, resolvers, DNS caching/time to live
    • FTP/FTPS/SFTP/SSH
  • VTAM
    • Basic configuration: Major nodes, application definitions, Enterprise Extender
  • Basic Unix knowledge
    • File structure
    • Basic commands: ls, cd, chmod, etc.
• Basic z/OS knowledge
  • TSO, ISPF,JCL, job submission, etc.
• Security
  • TLS sessions
  • Certificate chains, keyrings
• Nice to have:
  • z/OS policy agent (PAGENT)
  • ZOSMF network configuration assistant
  • Managed file transfer applications such as Connect Direct
  • Mainframe print delivery (Infoprint)
  • Hypersockets and Shared Memory communication
  • Service Now experience