Senior Systems Programmer - Legacy Systems z/OS

Teknita LLC; Downey (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Teknita LLC is seeking a Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer to lead planning, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise z/OS environments. This senior role focuses on IBM z/OS, mainframe architecture, performance tuning, and security integration.

The position is a remote-capable senior role in Downey, CA, requiring extensive experience with mainframe technologies and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure secure, reliable operation of enterprise systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of z/OS systems programming experience.
• At least 4 years in a lead or senior-level role.
• Extensive knowledge of mainframe hardware and system software environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute system upgrades per County standards.
• Monitor system health and implement changes.
• Analyze issues reported by development teams and provide technical recommendations.
• Design and maintain systems architecture.
• Coordinate post-upgrade testing with stakeholders.
• Ensure compatibility between operating systems and software products.
• Perform hardware upgrades with minimal downtime.
• Evaluate emerging software technologies.
• Ensure timely patching of security-related products.
• Analyze system requirements, risks, and cost considerations.
• Evaluate, select, install, and validate system software environments.
• Install and maintain compilers, assemblers, and utilities.
• Integrate hardware and software components across enterprise environments.
• Monitor, tune, and optimize system performance.
• Evaluate new systems engineering technologies and assess their impact.
• Ensure information security and assurance principles are integrated into system environments.

Tools

z/OS

IMS (DB/DC)

DB2

ADABAS

SMP/E

JCL

CICS

ACF2

Control-M

VTAM

TCP/IP

NetView

Natural / SuperNatural

EntireX

CA Spool

IMS & DB2 BMC Tools

HMC / HOD / IODF

VTS

HCD

z/OSMF

IBM z16 and z17 hardware

CA ACF2 V17

HOD V16.1

Job description

Job ID# 10TEK0837-021126 - Posted 02/11/2026 - Remote, Downey, CA

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer to support and enhance legacy z/OS environments. This role is responsible for the planning, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise mainframe operating systems and associated infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in IBM z/OS systems programming, mainframe architecture, performance tuning, and security integration. This is a systems programming role (not a development position).

• Plan and execute system upgrades in accordance with County standards
• Monitor system health and implement required changes
• Analyze issues reported by development teams and provide technical recommendations
• Design and maintain systems architecture
• Coordinate post-upgrade application testing with stakeholders
• Ensure compatibility between operating systems and software products
• Perform hardware upgrades with minimal downtime
• Evaluate emerging software technologies
• Ensure timely patching of security-related products
• Analyze system requirements, risks, and cost considerations
• Evaluate, select, install, and validate system software environments
• Install and maintain compilers, assemblers, and utilities
• Integrate hardware and software components across enterprise environments
• Monitor, tune, and optimize system performance
• Evaluate new systems engineering technologies and assess their impact
• Ensure information security and assurance principles are integrated into system environments

Required Skills:

Extensive hands-on experience with IBM mainframe technologies, including:

• z/OS
• IMS (DB/DC)
• DB2
• ADABAS
• SMP/E
• JCL
• CICS
• ACF2
• Control-M
• VTAM
• TCP/IP
• NetView
• Natural / SuperNatural
• EntireX
• CA Spool
• IMS & DB2 BMC Tools
• HMC / HOD / IODF
• VTS

Additional Required Technologies

• HCD
• z/OSMF
• IBM z16 and z17 hardware
• CA ACF2 V17
• HOD V16.1

Experience Requirements

Minimum 7 years of z/OS systems programming experience

At least 4 years in a lead or senior-level role

Extensive knowledge of mainframe hardware and system software environments

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
(Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)