Senior z​/OS Mainframe Systems Administrator

Location:

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Work Arrangement:
Onsite

Employment Type:

Contract

Duration: 6+ Months

Pay Range: $45.96/hr to $49.23/hr on W2 | $57.14/hr. to $64.00/hr. on C2C

Domain:
Technology | Enterprise Mainframe Infrastructure Services

Primary (Must-Have):

• Expertise in z/OS installation, configuration, Server Pac upgrades, maintenance, and ISV / OEM product upgrades
• Proficiency in Mainframe Storage Administration (SMS, DFDSS, DSF) and Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD / IODF)
• Strong hands-on knowledge of RACF Administration for provisioning elevated access and maintaining security matrices
• Comprehensive understanding of Mainframe Networking protocols including TCP/IP, VTAM, SMTP, FTP, and TLS
• Deep mastery of TSO/JCL, all ISPF functionalities, and core utilities like SMP/E

Secondary (Good to Have):

• Familiarity with Mainframe hardware interfaces and subsystems (HMC, DS8910 storage, and Luminex VTL tape subsystems)
• Experience with OEM automated management tools including OPS/MVS (alerts), Zeke job scheduler, and Zara tape management
• Background in updating and maintaining Information Systems Division Disaster Recovery (DR) Support Manuals
• Proven capability to troubleshoot job abends, dataset conflicts, and logon issues for application programmers

We are seeking an elite, senior-level z/OS Mainframe Systems Administrator for a critical, high-visibility engagement on-site in Poughkeepsie, NY. This role has been reopened for immediate backfill to oversee the precision installation, upgrade, and continuous maintenance of our enterprise z/OS operating system environments. The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise across the full mainframe stack—spanning SMP/E, RACF, HCD, and storage subsystems—ensuring tool consistency across development, sandbox, and production environments while guaranteeing zero-disruption, 24x7 operations.

• Lead the technical installation, configuration, testing, and maintenance of the z/OS operating system, utilizing Server Pac and SMP/E to manage foundational layers and ISV upgrades.
• Maintain, configure, and troubleshoot hardware parameters utilizing HMC, DS8910 storage systems, and Luminex VTL tape subsystems alongside HCD/IODF definitions.
• Administer security governance and permissions via RACF, provisioning elevated mainframe access to programmers, operators, and contractors for TSO, RACF, and Zeke.
• Actively support mainframe application programmers by resolving advanced technical blockades, including dataset issues, system logon failures, and complex job abends.
• Oversee ecosystem automated operations and batch schedules utilizing OEM software, specifically managing OPS/MVS alerts, Zeke schedules, and Zara tape management systems.
• Coordinate and execute annual revisions to the Information Systems Division Disaster Recovery Support Manual to align with business continuity standards.
• Participate in a highly collaborative 24x7 on-call engineering rotation to ensure continuous system availability and production support.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)

EEOC Compliance:

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.