Database Administrator

A leading enterprise organization, partnered with Aquent, is seeking visionary talent to join their team. This organization is at the forefront of leveraging robust technology to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions within a dynamic industry. They value technical excellence, strategic thinking, and a collaborative spirit, offering a challenging yet rewarding environment where your contributions directly impact critical systems and operations.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sr Mainframe Database Systems Engineer to become a pivotal member of our client’s team! In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the stability, performance, and strategic evolution of critical mainframe database infrastructure. Your expertise will directly influence the backbone of the organization’s data operations, driving efficiency, innovation, and reliability across essential services.

You will lead crucial initiatives, mentor team members, and shape the future of their database systems in a hybrid cloud environment, making a profound impact on foundational technology that supports enterprise-wide success.

• Lead the installation, configuration, maintenance, health, and availability of all Db2 subsystems across production and non-production environments.
• Plan and apply software maintenance, including PTFs, RSU, and HIPER service, for IBM, BMC, and Broadcom tools, ensuring compliance with enterprise schedules.
• Spearhead Db2 version migrations and function level activations from planning and testing through implementation and fallback strategies.
• Own and optimize subsystem configuration and tuning, including Db2 parameters (DSNZPARMs), buffer pools, memory, EDM pools, active/archive logs, BSDS, IRLM, WLM application environments, RRS, and IMS DBRC, HALDB, and ACB management.
• Lead subsystem-level problem determination and recovery, encompassing restart procedures, log/BSDS issues, storage constraints, and dump analysis, managing interactions with software vendors.
• Manage Db2 connectivity and security, including DDF/DRDA, TCP/IP, certificates, TLS, and integration with security systems, partnering with relevant infrastructure teams.
• Contribute to monitoring subsystem performance and capacity utilizing SMF data and specialized tools.
• Own subsystem-level disaster recovery and business continuity procedures, participating in DR exercises and providing necessary audit and compliance evidence.
• Provide critical technical direction and oversight to managed service partners for routine operations, reviewing plans, approving changes, and validating results.
• Mentor Database Administrators and managed service resources, fostering knowledge growth and creating comprehensive runbooks and documentation.
• Maintain a product currency calendar, tracking versions, end-of-support dates, and dependencies for mainframe database software to advise leadership on upgrade strategies and risks.
• Drive automation of systems programming tasks using scripting languages like REXX and JCL, embracing modern tooling and AI-assisted development.
• Support distributed Db2 components that connect to the mainframe, such as Db2 Connect, Data Server Client, and Db2 gateway, as part of modernization efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related STEM field, or equivalent practical work experience.
• 8 or more years of hands‑on Db2 for z/OS systems programming experience, including expertise in installation, maintenance, and version migration.
• Strong working knowledge of SMP/E, z/OS, JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF/IOF, and REXX.
• Demonstrated experience with subsystem-level problem determination and recovery, including effective collaboration with vendor support.
• Proven…