Z​/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead

Req e salary | UK/Europe:
Fully remote possible; occasionally Sheffield preferred

At NTT DATA, we know that with the right people on board, anything is possible. The quality, integrity, and commitment of our employees are key factors in our company’s growth, market presence and our ability to help our clients stay a step ahead of the competition. By hiring the best people and helping them grow both professionally and personally, we ensure a bright future for NTT DATA and for the people who work here.

NTT DATA is currently looking for a z/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead remote for our growing team in the UK and rest of Europe.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced z/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead to provide technical leadership and strategic direction for the enterprise IBM Z platform. This role is responsible for the architecture, installation, upgrade, maintenance, and support of z/OS and associated IBM and Broadcom (CA) system software products across complex, mission-critical environments.

The ideal candidate will be a senior technical leader with deep expertise in z/OS systems programming, Parallel Sysplex environments, and enterprise-scale infrastructure management. The individual will lead system modernization initiatives, mentor technical teams, drive operational excellence, and serve as the highest level of escalation for complex platform-related issues.

The successful candidate should possess outstanding problem-solving capabilities, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence technical decision-making across multiple teams.

Experience with in large banking or highly regulated organizations is strongly  this role, You will

Lead the design, implementation, enhancement, and support of enterprise z/OS infrastructure environments.

Provide technical leadership for z/OS operating system upgrades, maintenance, and system software lifecycle management.

Architect and manage large-scale Parallel Sysplex environments ensuring high availability, resilience, and performance.

Oversee installation, configuration, customization, and support of IBM and Broadcom (CA) products.

Establish best practices, standards, and governance for mainframe infrastructure operations.

Lead strategic initiatives involving platform modernization, automation, performance optimization, and capacity management.

Drive root cause analysis and resolution of critical production incidents and platform-related problems.

Act as the highest-level technical escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.

Collaborate with enterprise architecture, security, application, and operations teams to deliver technical solutions.

Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and business continuity requirements.

Review infrastructure designs and provide recommendations for scalability, reliability, and operational efficiency.

Mentor and coach junior and senior systems programmers, fostering technical growth within the team.

Manage vendor relationships and coordinate software upgrades, patches, and product evaluations.

Ensure adherence to security, risk, audit, and compliance requirements.

Lead and support production implementations during planned maintenance windows, including off-hours activities when required.

Required Qualifications Typically 15+ years of hands-on experience in IBM z/OS Systems Programming.

Minimum 5+ years of experience leading Mainframe Infrastructure or Systems Programming teams.

Proven experience supporting large-scale enterprise, banking, or financial services environments.

Extensive experience in installation, customization, upgrade, maintenance, and support of IBM and Broadcom (CA) mainframe products.

Strong expertise in Parallel Sysplex, high availability, disaster recovery, and enterprise mainframe architecture.

Extensive experience leading technical teams and large-scale mainframe initiatives.

Expert knowledge of:z/OSSMP/ETSO/ISPFUNIX System Services (USS)
SDSFJCLRACFAdvanced expertise in Parallel Sysplex architecture, implementation, and administration.

Extensive experience installing and supporting multiple IBM and Broadcom (CA) products.

Deep understanding of z/OS system internals,…