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Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe SRE

Upper Marlboro, MD ยท On-site

$48.50 - $62.50/hr

Perform capacity planning, performance tuning, and workload optimization across mainframe subsystems (CICS, IMS, DB2, MQ) * Support change management processes including patching, maintenance windows ...

z/OS Performance Engineer - Mainframe

Weehawken, NJ ยท On-site

$152K/yr

MAINFRAME Z/OS PERFORMANCE ANALYST / CAPACITY PLANNING MAINFRAME ~~ Z/OS PERFORMANCE AND TUNING ~~ CAPACITY PLANNING ~~ MICS/MXG HYBRID~~ WORK ON SITE 3 DAYS A WEEK * STRONG KNOWLEDGE BASE OF Z/OS ...

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Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner information

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$37K

$86.7K

$148K

How much do freelance mainframe capacity planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance mainframe capacity planner in the United States is $86,720.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner do?

A Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner is responsible for analyzing, forecasting, and optimizing the resource usage of mainframe computer systems to ensure they meet current and future business needs. They assess system performance, predict workload growth, and recommend hardware or software upgrades to prevent performance bottlenecks. Working on a freelance basis, they may serve multiple clients, providing expertise in capacity planning, reporting, and cost optimization for mainframe environments.

What are some common challenges that Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planners face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planners often encounter challenges related to accessing and standardizing data from different client environments, each with their own tools and reporting processes. Balancing multiple projects simultaneously can also require strong organizational skills to manage competing deadlines and expectations. Additionally, freelancers must quickly adapt to varying mainframe architectures and build effective communication channels with client teams to provide accurate capacity recommendations. Proactive problem-solving and clear documentation are essential for success in this dynamic, multi-client setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Mainframe Capacity Planner, you need deep expertise in mainframe systems, performance analysis, and capacity forecasting, typically supported by experience with z/OS and a degree in information technology or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as IBM RMF, SMF, and BMC MainView, as well as certifications like ITIL or IBM Certified Specialist, are commonly required. Exceptional analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with stakeholders and presenting findings. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring optimal mainframe performance, cost efficiency, and reliable business operations.
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Mainframe Performance, Capacity, and Monitoring (PCM) Expert : Remote

Mainframe Performance, Capacity, and Monitoring (PCM) Expert : Remote

Noblesoft Technologies

Frisco, TX โ€ข On-site

$131K/yr

Contractor

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Role :- Mainframe Performance, Capacity, and Monitoring (PCM) Expert

Location :- Salisbury, NC/Boston, MA/Frisco, TX(Remote is also Fine)

Job type: Contract


Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced and analytical z/OS PCM Expert to join our mainframe infrastructure team. This role is responsible for ensuring optimal performance, capacity planning, and proactive monitoring of z/OS systems. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in system performance analysis, workload management, SMF/RMF data interpretation, capacity forecasting, and vendor collaboration. This role is critical to maintaining the health, efficiency, and scalability of enterprise mainframe environments.


Key Responsibilities:

Performance Management & Optimization

  • Monitor and analyze z/OS system performance using RMF, SMF, and IntelliMagic Vision.
  • Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks across CPU, memory, I/O, and network subsystems.
  • Tune WLM policies and system parameters to optimize workload distribution and throughput.
  • Collaborate with application and infrastructure teams to improve end-to-end performance.

Capacity Planning & LPAR Assessment

  • Forecast resource usage trends and plan for future capacity needs.
  • Conduct LPAR sizing assessments and recommend changes to PR/SM configurations.
  • Develop and maintain capacity models using historical SMF/RMF data.
  • Provide input for hardware upgrades, workload balancing, and infrastructure scaling.

Monitoring & Automation

  • Implement and maintain real-time monitoring solutions using tools like Omegamon, Mainview, and IntelliMagic.
  • BMC AMI ops knowledge a plus.
  • Develop automated alerts and dashboards for proactive issue detection and SLA tracking.
  • Integrate monitoring data with enterprise observability platforms and reporting systems.

Reporting & Analysis

  • Generate regular performance and capacity reports for technical and executive stakeholders.
  • Present findings and strategic recommendations based on data-driven analysis.
  • Maintain documentation of performance baselines, tuning activities, and capacity forecasts.

Vendor Collaboration

  • Work closely with IBM, BMC, IntelliMagic, and other vendors to evaluate, implement, and optimize performance tools and solutions.
  • Coordinate with vendors during tool upgrades, performance assessments, and issue resolution.
  • Participate in product roadmap discussions and provide feedback for enhancements.

Collaboration & Support

  • Work closely with z/OS system programmers, DB2 DBAs, MQ administrators, and application owners.
  • Participate in incident response and root cause analysis for performance-related outages.
  • Support disaster recovery and business continuity planning from a performance standpoint.

Required Skills and Experience:

  • 8+ years of experience in z/OS performance and capacity management.
  • Expert-level knowledge of SMF, RMF, WLM, and z/OS internals.
  • Hands-on experience with IntelliMagic Vision, Omegamon, Mainview, or equivalent tools.
  • Strong analytical skills in interpreting system metrics and logs.
  • Proficiency in REXX, SAS, or Python for data analysis and automation.
  • Familiarity with LPAR configuration, PR/SM, and z/OS hardware architecture.
  • Experience working with vendors on tool deployment and optimization.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Desired Skills and Experience:

  • Experience with AI-driven performance analytics platforms.
  • Knowledge of z/OS Connect, zCX, and hybrid cloud performance considerations.
  • Exposure to DevOps and observability practices in mainframe environments.
  • Understanding of capacity licensing models (e.g., zCAP, MSU, SCRT).

Certifications:

  • IBM Certified Specialist โ€“ System z Performance and Capacity Management (Preferred)