Sr. Mainframe Database Systems Engineer

Dahl Consulting; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Benefits summary online

Job summary

Dahl Consulting seeks a Sr. Mainframe Database Systems Engineer in Hartford, CT. This contract-to-hire role focuses on Db2 for z/OS, leading critical database infrastructure and modernization efforts.

You will install, configure, and optimize Db2 subsystems, coordinate with IBM/ISV vendors, and guide production support, disaster recovery, and security initiatives. Occasional on-call work is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on Db2 for z/OS systems programming experience.
• Experience with SMP/E, JCL, TSO/ISPF, REXX and Db2 subsystem tuning.

Responsibilities

• Lead Db2 for z/OS systems programming across production and non-production environments.
• Install, configure, monitor, and maintain Db2 infrastructure for availability and reliability.
• Plan migrations and apply maintenance using SMP/E including PTFs and RSUs.
• mentor DBAs and engineers; develop runbooks and technical docs.

Skills

Db2 for z/OS

SMP/E

JCL

REXX

TSO/ISPF

RACF security

Db2 connectivity (DRDA/TCP/IP)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

BMC AMI Toolkit

Broadcom/CA tools

QMF/DBRC

Job description

Title

Sr. Mainframe Database Systems Engineer

Location

Hartford, CT

Job Type

Contract-to-Hire (6 Month contract period)

Compensation

$55-$65 per hour (W2)

Industry

Insurance & Financial Services

About the Role

We are seeking a Sr. Mainframe Database Systems Engineer on behalf of our client, a large organization in the insurance and financial services industry. This position will serve as a lead technical resource for Db2 for z/OS environments, with responsibility for the installation, configuration, maintenance, availability, and modernization of critical database infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings deep hands‑on experience with Db2 for z/OS systems programming and will provide technical leadership across database infrastructure, production support, disaster recovery, security, performance, and automation initiatives. This role will also partner with DBAs, managed service providers, and infrastructure teams to support reliable and scalable mainframe database environments.

Job Description

• Serve as the lead Db2 for z/OS systems programmer and engineer, supporting Db2 subsystems across production and non-production environments.
• Install, configure, maintain, and monitor Db2 infrastructure to support system health, availability, and reliability.
• Plan and apply software maintenance using SMP/E, including PTFs, RSUs, HIPER service, and maintenance for IBM, BMC, and Broadcom tools.
• Lead Db2 version migrations and function-level activations, including planning, testing, implementation, and fallback strategies.
• Configure and tune Db2 subsystems, including: DSNZPARMs Buffer pools Memory and EDM pools Active and archive logs BSDS IRLM WLM application environments RRS Participate in IMS infrastructure activities involving DBRC, HALDB, and ACB management.
• Lead subsystem-level problem determination and recovery involving restart issues, logs, BSDS, storage constraints, and dump analysis.
• Manage technical support cases with IBM and other software vendors.
• Support Db2 connectivity and security, including DDF/DRDA, TCP/IP, certificates, TLS, and RACF integration.
• Partner with z/OS security, network, storage, and other technology teams.
• Support database performance and capacity monitoring using SMF data and monitoring tools.
• Maintain subsystem-level disaster recovery and business continuity procedures and participate in disaster recovery exercises.
• Support audit and SOX evidence requirements.
• Provide technical direction and oversight to managed service partners responsible for routine operational work, including reviewing plans, approving changes, and validating results.
• Mentor DBAs, engineers, and managed service resources while developing and maintaining technical documentation and runbooks.
• Maintain a product currency roadmap covering software versions, end‑of‑support dates, and dependencies across mainframe database technologies.
• Identify opportunities to automate systems programming activities using REXX, JCL, Infrastructure‑as‑Code (IaC), and modern development tooling.
• Support distributed Db2 components that connect to the mainframe, including Db2 Connect, Data Server Client, and Db2 gateway.
• Design and improve database deployment processes and automation workflows across hybrid cloud and on‑premises environments.
• Contribute to database infrastructure architecture and long‑term technical strategy.
• Work independently on complex database infrastructure and engineering challenges.

Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related STEM field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of hands‑on Db2 for z/OS systems programming experience, including installation, maintenance, and version migrations.
• Strong working knowledge of: SMP/E z/OS JCL TSO/ISPF SDSF/IOF REXX Experience configuring and tuning Db2 subsystems, including DSNZPARMs, buffer pools, logging, and memory.
• Demonstrated experience with subsystem‑level problem determination and recovery.
• Experience working with IBM Support on complex technical issues.
• Working knowledge of RACF as it relates to Db2 and IMS environments.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to break complex technical issues into manageable components.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document technical processes and communicate complex database concepts clearly.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across infrastructure and technology teams.
• Willingness to occasionally work weekends, overnight hours, or holidays for scheduled maintenance and production issues.
• Willingness to provide occasional advanced support to team members participating in an on‑call rotation.

Preferred Qualifications

• IMS systems programming experience, including DB/DC, DBRC, HALDB, managed ACBs, and the IMS catalog.
• Experience with Db2 data sharing, Parallel Sysplex, and coupling facility technologies.
• Experience with BMC AMI, Broadcom/CA, and IBM database tools, including File Master, Db2 SQL Tuning Services, and QMF.
• Experience with Informatica PowerExchange listeners on z/OS.
• Experience with Db2 LUW and distributed Db2 connectivity.
• 3+ years of technical leadership experience, ideally including oversight of vendors or managed service teams.
• Experience planning and conducting disaster recovery exercises for Db2 and IMS.
• IBM Db2 for z/OS certification.
• Experience building automation for systems programming or database infrastructure using REXX, JCL, Infrastructure‑as‑Code, or related tooling.
• Experience mentoring technical resources and establishing effective documentation and operational runbooks.
• Ability to evaluate technical tradeoffs, accurately estimate database‑related work, and contribute to database architecture strategy.

Benefits

Dahl Consulting is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that will allow you to choose the best coverage to meet your family’s needs.

For details, please review the DAHL Benefits Summary: https://www.dahlconsulting.com/benefits-w2fta/

Equal Opportunity Statement

As an equal opportunity employer, Dahl Consulting welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.