Senior zOS Systems Programmer (Systems Automation)Automation

Vertali; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertali is seeking an experienced z/OS Systems Programmer to join the Mainframe Infrastructure team. You will install, configure, and maintain IBM z/OS environments, enhance automation, and ensure system stability, security, and performance across enterprise platforms.

You will collaborate with Operations, Application Support, Security, and Infrastructure teams to drive automation initiatives, support DR testing, and mentor junior staff in a highly resilient mainframe environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a z/OS Systems Programmer in enterprise mainframe environments.
• Strong knowledge of JES2/JES3, RACF, SMP/E, TCP/IP, DFSMS, USS and related components.
• Hands-on experience with IBM System Automation for z/OS (SA z/OS) and automation scripting.
• Experience with IBM NetView environments and enterprise monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with OMEGAMON, GDPS, CICS, DB2, MQ and Control-M or equivalent scheduling tools.
• Excellent troubleshooting, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain IBM z/OS operating systems.
• Perform system software maintenance including SMP/E installation and patching.
• Troubleshoot complex z/OS issues (JES2/JES3, TSO/ISPF, USS).
• Monitor performance and implement tuning recommendations.
• Support disaster recovery exercises and business continuity testing.
• Develop and maintain system documentation and procedures.
• Participate in on-call and incident resolution activities.

Skills

z/OS expertise

Systems programming

Automation scripting

SA z/OS

Mainframe monitoring

DR planning

Stakeholder mgmt

On-call support

RACF

JES2/JES3

CICS

DB2

MQ

Control-M

DevOps in mainframe

Tools

SA z/OS

NetView

OMEGAMON

RACF

SMP/E

JES2/JES3

CICS

DB2

MQ

Control-M

TCP/IP

USS

DFSMS

GDPS

zSecure

Job description

We are seeking an experienced z/OS Systems Programmer with Systems Automation expertise to join our Mainframe Infrastructure team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, automation, and support of IBM z/OS environments, ensuring the stability, availability, security, and performance of critical enterprise systems.

Working closely with Operations, Application Support, Security, and Infrastructure teams, you will drive automation initiatives, reduce manual intervention, and support a highly resilient, business-critical mainframe environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain IBM z/OS operating systems.
• Perform system software maintenance, including SMP/E installation and patching activities.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues relating to z/OS, JES2/JES3, TSO, ISPF, USS, and related components.
• Monitor system performance and implement tuning recommendations.
• Support disaster recovery exercises and business continuity testing.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, standards, and operational procedures.
• Participate in on-call support and incident resolution activities.

Systems Automation

• Design, implement, and support automation solutions using IBM System Automation for z/OS (SA z/OS).
• Develop and maintain automation policies, scripts, and procedures.
• Implement automated startup, shutdown, and recovery processes.
• Integrate automation solutions with enterprise monitoring and scheduling tools.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce operational effort and improve service availability.
• Analyse recurring incidents and develop automation solutions to minimise manual intervention.

Infrastructure & Middleware Support

• Support core z/OS subsystems and middleware including:
• JES2/JES3
• SDSF
• RACF
• TCP/IP
• USS
• RMF
• HCD/HCM
• VTAM
• DFSMS
• OMEGAMON
• NetView
• Work closely with application support teams to ensure platform stability and optimal performance.

Project Delivery

• Participate in infrastructure transformation and modernisation initiatives.
• Support operating system upgrades and technology refresh projects.
• Assist with capacity planning and performance management activities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior team members.

Required Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience as a z/OS Systems Programmer within enterprise mainframe environments.
• Strong knowledge of:
• JES2/JES3
• RACF
• SMP/E
• TCP/IP
• DFSMS
• UNIX System Services (USS)
• Hands-on experience with IBM System Automation for z/OS (SA z/OS).
• Experience supporting IBM NetView environments.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Experience implementing automation policies and operational resilience solutions.
• Understanding of high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity principles.
• Experience managing software upgrades and maintenance activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with:
• OMEGAMON
• GDPS
• zSecure
• CICS
• DB2
• MQ
• Control-M or equivalent scheduling tools
• Knowledge of REXX, CLIST, or other automation scripting languages.
• Exposure to DevOps practices in mainframe environments.
• Experience supporting hybrid mainframe and distributed infrastructure environments.