Senior Mainframe Systems Engineer (z/OS)

Quasent; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Quasent is seeking a senior IBM z/OS systems programmer for a 12+ month remote contract in the United States. The role focuses on mainframe operations for electric utility platforms, including project systems billing and financial systems on IBM Z.

You will install, configure, and upgrade z/OS, lead OS refreshes, perform incident analysis, and drive automation to improve platform health. Strong leadership for on-call, ITIL change processes, and regulatory alignment is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on IBM z/OS systems programming in large enterprises.
• Deep expertise with SMP/E, PARMLIB, JES2, SDSF, IPL processes and z/OS internals.
• Proven upgrades and hardware refresh experience for z/OS environments.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade z/OS and related software using SMP/E and PTFs.
• Lead hardware refreshes and OS upgrades including IODF/HCD and IPL planning.
• Own problem determination for complex incidents with root-cause analysis.
• Tune performance and plan capacity for CICS, DB2, MQ, and batch workloads.
• Execute changes with approved change control per NERC CIP requirements.
• Build automation (REXX, Zowe, Ansible for z/OS) to improve visibility.
• Produce runbooks and SOPs; mentor co-sourced teams; communicate status clearly.

Skills

z/OS internals

SMP/E

JES2

PARMLIB

IPL planning

CICS/DB2/MQ

RACF/ACF2/Top Secret

z/OS upgrades

Tools

SMP/E tooling

SMF/RMF data analysis

Pooled tooling for z/OS maintenance

Job description

Contract role | Electric utility | Network & Mainframe Engineering.

Type: Contract

Duration: 12+ months

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Job Summary:

Quasent has a need for a senior mainframe engineer with electric utility industry experience. Project systems billing, and financial systems on IBM Z.

Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade z/OS and associated system software using SMP/E, including PTF and ISV product maintenance.
• Lead or support hardware refreshes and OS upgrades, including IODF/HCD, LPAR configuration, and IPL planning.
• Own problem determination for complex incidents: dump analysis, SMF/RMF data, and root-cause resolution under production pressure.
• Tune performance and plan capacity across CICS, DB2, MQ, and batch workloads.
• Execute changes with disciplined, documented, and approved change control aligned to NERC CIP requirements.
• Build automation (REXX, Ansible for z/OS, Zowe) that reduces manual effort and improves visibility into platform health.
• Produce runbooks, SOPs, and knowledge transfer; mentor and elevate co-sourced team members.
• Communicate platform status, risks, and recommendations clearly to infrastructure leadership.

Required experience:

• 10+ years of hands-on IBM z/OS systems programming in large enterprise environments.
• Deep expertise in SMP/E, PARMLIB, JES2, SDSF, IPL process, and z/OS internals.
• Strong depth in at least one of: CICS, DB2, MQ, storage (DFSMS), or mainframe security (RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret).
• Proven experience with z/OS upgrades and IBM Z hardware refreshes (z15, z16, or z17).
• Production support experience: on-call rotation, ITIL incident, change, and problem management.
• U.S. work authorization and ability to pass a comprehensive background check and personnel risk assessment.

Nice to have experience:

• Experience in a regulated industry: utilities (NERC CIP), banking, insurance, or government.
• Automation and monitoring tools: SA z/OS, NetView, Omegamon, or equivalent.
• Experience working within co-sourced or outsourced delivery models.