Mainframe Engineer

Top Skills Details

IBM Mainframe - z/OS

Db2

Performance tuning

Description

We are seeking an IBM Mainframe Full Stack Systems Engineer experienced with end to end engineering and modernization of large scale enterprise IBM Z environments. This role requires deep, hands on expertise across multiple z/OS versions, core subsystems, security platforms, storage, networking, virtualization, and performance management in highly regulated, mission critical environments.

This role is engineering first, focused on architecture, deep technical analysis, system tuning, and modernization readiness. The engineer will play a critical role in proofing the mainframe platform, ensuring technical compatibility, stability, and performance as the stack evolves.

Core Responsibilities

z/OS Platform Modernization & Upgrade Engineering

Engineer for multiple concurrent legacy and current z/OS versions including Version interoperability, Incremental upgrade paths, Dependency validation across the stack, Pre upgrade technical assessments, Post upgrade stabilization, and tuning

Full Stack Mainframe Engineering (Subsystem Depth) - Provide deep system level engineering expertise across the core IBM Z stack i.e. but not limited to:

DB2 for z/OS - Subsystem configuration, performance characteristics, and version interactions

CICS TS - System level behavior, workload tuning, and modernization readiness, TLS enablement impacts

IMS (DB/DC) - Platform interaction, efficient tuning, and coexistence with modern stacks

IBM MQ for z/OS - Queue Manager architecture and configuration, MQ subsystem behavior across z/OS and middleware upgrades, Performance tuning (buffer pools, logging behavior, workload patterns), Dependency analysis with CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS, and distributed platforms. TLS enabled channel architecture and modernization

Common enterprise schedulers (e.g., CA-7, Control-M) and other ISV tooling

Compiler and language versions and when recompilations are necessary during upgrades

Common mainframe integrations, including Change Data Capture (CDC) tools, Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools, and DB2 Gateway

Mainframe terminal emulators

Maintain a holistic view of cross subsystem dependencies during upgrades

Storage, Networking & Virtualization Engineering, providing engineering insight into:

Mainframe storage behavior, layout, and recovery implications during modernization

Mainframe networking, including SNA, VTAM, and TCP/IP interactions

Design around z/VM and virtualized environments

Identify infrastructure constraints that limit modernization or performance gains

Security Engineering

Review and engineer as needed for RACF and ACF2 security platforms to maintain access controls, profiles, auditing, logging, and compliance enforcement

Partner as needed with risk, audit, and application teams to review and ensure policy alignment and regulatory compliance

Mainframe security best practices, including encrypting data in transit

Leverage SMF, RMF, and operational metrics to analyze system performance, Identify bottlenecks, support capacity planning, and forecasting

Review and recommend tuning system parameters and subsystem configurations to optimize throughput, response time, and cost efficiency

Help identify trends and risks impacting availability or scalability

Review and recommend operational tasks automation opportunities using REXX, CLIST, JCL, TSO/ISPF, reducing manual effort through automation, standardization, and self healing processes

Collaboration & Leadership - Partner with Application teams, Middleware teams, Security & risk organizations, and Vendors (IBM and ISVs)

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

8-12+ years of hands on IBM Mainframe experience in large enterprise environments

Strong expertise with:
Multiple z/OS versions and upgrades, z/VM, RACF and ACF2, DB2 for z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ, TLS Encryption, Mainframe storage, and networking (including SNA)

SMF, performance monitoring, and capacity management

Advanced skills with JCL, REXX/CLIST, TSO/ISPF

Strong troubleshooting, RCA, and documentation skills

Experience in regulated environments (financial services, insurance, government preferred)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $10.00 - $70.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:  - Medical, dental & vision  - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital  - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available  - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)  - Short and long-term disability  - Health Spending Account (HSA)  - Transportation benefits  - Employee Assistance Program  - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote…