Hardware Software Specialist Jobs in Springfield, IL

 

 

 

 

Job Description
Job Summary:
• The Senior z/OS Administrator / Systems Programmer is responsible for the overall administration, maintenance, security, and optimization of the organization’s z/OS mainframe environment.

• This role requires deep expertise in z/OS system internals, storage and hardware management, networking, and virtualization.

• The Senior Administrator ensures high availability, reliability, and performance of mission critical mainframe systems while supporting modernization initiatives and maintaining robust operational documentation.

 

Key Responsibilities:
1.    z/OS System Administration:
Install, configure, maintain, and administer z/OS operating systems. Perform performance tuning, system health checks, problem determination, and root cause analysis to ensure stable and efficient system operation.
2.    Storage Management:
Manage DASD and tape storage environments, oversee allocation and placement of datasets, perform capacity planning, and implement backup and recovery strategies using DFSMS and related technologies.
3.    Hardware Infrastructure Management:
Maintain and support IBM mainframes, storage subsystems, and peripheral hardware. Coordinate and execute hardware upgrades, lifecycle maintenance, and incident remediation.
4.    System Security:
Implement and maintain mainframe security controls to safeguard data and system resources. Utilize security tools, monitor access, and ensure compliance with established cybersecurity and audit requirements.
5.    Performance Monitoring and Optimization:
Monitor system performance using RMF, WLM, and other tools. Identify performance bottlenecks and implement tuning strategies to enhance resource utilization, throughput, and reliability.
6.    z/OS TCP/IP and Networking Administration:
Administer and support all networking components within the z/OS environment, including TCP/IP configuration, network security, connectivity troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
7.    z/VM and Virtualization Support:
Install, configure, and maintain z/VM environments. Build, administer, and support virtualized Linux servers running under z/VM, ensuring stable interoperation with z/OS and supporting workloads.
8.    Documentation and Knowledge Transfer:
Develop and maintain detailed documentation for system configurations, procedures, standards, and operational policies. Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to junior staff and operational support teams as needed.

 

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.
• More than 10 years of hands on experience as a z/OS administrator or systems programmer in an enterprise environment.
• Expert level knowledge of z/OS internals, subsystems, utilities, and operational best practices.
• Strong proficiency in DASD management, DFSMS, tape management, catalog management, and related storage technologies.
• Solid understanding of IBM mainframe architecture, hardware components, and system integration.
• Experience with performance tools such as RMF, WLM, Omegamon, and similar monitoring solutions.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a focus on reliability and operational excellence.

 

Additional Technical Requirements:
• Deep knowledge of JES2, WLM, SMF, ICSF, DFSMS, ISPF, TSO, 3270 interfaces, TCP/IP, SMP/E, ISH, OMVS, Omegamon, and z/OS Connect.
• Familiarity with third party tools including Syspertec Virtel (browser based 3270 emulator), Rocket TMON (monitoring tool), and Chicago Soft QuickRef (reference tool).
• Experience supporting IBM software such as Tivoli Workload Scheduler, Fault Analyzer, File Manager, zSecure, DB2 Tools, and zLinux.