Z​/OS IMS Mainframe Systems Programmer

About the role

As a z/OS & IMS Mainframe Systems Programmer, you will make an impact by supporting the stability, availability, performance, and recoverability of enterprise mainframe platforms. You will help maintain and enhance critical z/OS and IMS environments through system upgrades, software maintenance, performance monitoring, incident resolution, and operational improvement activities. You will be a valued member of the Cloud Infrastructure and Security team and work collaboratively with the Senior Manager.

• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade IBM z/OS environments, including z/OS 3.1 and later releases, using SMP/E for software installation, patching, fixes, and ISV product maintenance.
• Support z/OS version upgrades and core platform components, including Parallel Sysplex, JES2, LPARs, system parameters, Parmlib, and z/OSMF.
• Monitor, analyze, and improve z/OS performance and capacity using RMF, SMF, WLM, and related reporting tools.
• Perform IMS Version 15 system programming activities, including software installation, upgrades, maintenance, fixes, IMSGEN, and SYSGEN.
• Administer and maintain IMS environments, including backup, recovery, reorganization, space management, data integrity, and restoration of corrupted data.
• Support IMS database administration activities, including database objects, IMS and DB2 commands, IBM IMS utilities, SQL performance tuning, and database housekeeping.
• Investigate and resolve incidents, problems, deadlocks, timeouts, and other performance or availability issues across z/OS, IMS, and related products.
• Support security, change, and problem‑management processes while contributing to technical documentation, proof‑of‑concept work, and continuous platform improvements.
• Communicate technical risks, recommendations, and long‑term improvement opportunities to technical leaders and stakeholders.

We believe hybrid work is the way forward. This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Hartford, Connecticut;
St. Paul, Minnesota; or Cockeysville, Maryland. Regardless of your working arrangement, we support a healthy work‑life balance through various wellbeing programs.

• 6+ years of experience supporting IBM z/OS environments, including z/OS upgrades, maintenance, patching, and ISV product installation or upgrades.
• 6+ years of working with Parallel Sysplex and JES2, along with building or maintaining mainframe LPARs.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS, SMP/E, RMF, SMF, WLM, z/OSMF, IBM Z architecture, system parameters, and Parmlib maintenance.
• Proven ability to perform IMS Version 15 system programming activities, including IMSGEN, SYSGEN, software installation, upgrades, and maintenance.
• Experience with IMS backup, recovery, reorganization, data integrity, space management, and IBM IMS utilities such as Backup, Reorg, Recovery, Load, Unload, and Pointer Checker.
• Working knowledge of RDBMS concepts, IMS or DB2 commands, SQL, SQL performance tuning, and database monitoring.
• Superb troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills, with experience following security, incident, change, and problem‑management processes.
• Background in supporting large‑scale, high‑availability mainframe environments.
• Strong knowledge of capacity planning, performance optimization, disaster recovery, or operational‑readiness activities.
• Experience evaluating new mainframe technologies or supporting proof‑of‑concept initiatives.

The annual salary for this position is between $70,000 - $90,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long‑term/Short‑term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan