1

Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Systems Programmer

Buffalo, NY ยท On-site +1

$106.58K - $177.63K/yr

This Mainframe Systems Programmer role involves upgrading and supporting the z/OS operating system and ISV products, mainly from IBM and Computer Associates (CA). The successful candidate: * will ...

Mainframe Systems Programmer

Buffalo, NY ยท On-site

$106.58K - $142.10K/yr

This Mainframe Systems Programmer role involves upgrading and supporting the z/OS operating system and ISV products, mainly from IBM and Computer Associates (CA). The successful candidate: * will ...

Mainframe Systems Programmer

Buffalo, NY ยท On-site +1

$106.58K - $177.63K/yr

This Mainframe Systems Programmer role involves upgrading and supporting the z/OS operating system and ISV products, mainly from IBM and Computer Associates (CA). The successful candidate: * will ...

Mainframe developer

Sacramento, CA

$53.25 - $68.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location : Sacramento, CA, USA (Locals Preferred) Job Type : Hybrid Visa Type ... Design, develop, test, and maintain applications on IBM Mainframe systems * Develop and support ...

Mainframe z/OS System Programmer

Houston, TX ยท On-site +1

$37.50 - $42.50/hr

Senior System Programmer (Mainframe) Supporting IBM z15 and z16 mainframe and z/OS 2.5 or higher operating system. As part of IBM zCloud resource pool, supporting the zCloud Offering which consists ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer information

See salary details

$5

$24

$58

How much do ibm mainframe systems programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for ibm mainframe systems programmer in the United States is $24.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an IBM Mainframe Systems Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an IBM Mainframe Systems Programmer, you need expertise in mainframe operating systems (such as z/OS), JCL, and systems programming concepts, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools like IBM SDSF, ISPF, SMP/E, and utilities for monitoring, troubleshooting, and system maintenance is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you resolve complex issues and collaborate with IT teams. These skills are crucial for maintaining system reliability, security, and performance in mission-critical enterprise environments.

What are the typical challenges faced by an IBM Mainframe Systems Programmer when supporting legacy systems in modern IT environments?

IBM Mainframe Systems Programmers often encounter challenges maintaining legacy systems while integrating new technologies and processes. Balancing the need for system stability with the adoption of modern tools, such as automation and cloud integration, can be complex. Additionally, ensuring ongoing security compliance and managing software upgrades without disrupting critical business operations require strong problem-solving and communication skills. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including application developers and network administrators, is essential to address these challenges effectively.

What are IBM Mainframe Systems Programmers?

IBM Mainframe Systems Programmers are IT professionals responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting mainframe hardware and operating systems, such as IBM z/OS. They ensure the mainframe environment is stable, secure, and optimized for performance. Their duties often include system upgrades, applying patches, automation, disaster recovery planning, and providing technical support. These programmers work closely with application teams, network administrators, and other IT staff to ensure seamless operation of critical enterprise systems.
More about Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs
What cities are hiring for Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer job openings:
What states have the most Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Ibm Mainframe Systems Programmer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% As Needed, 7% Full Time, and 83% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,514 per year, or $24.3 per hour.
IBM Mainframe Administrator

IBM Mainframe Administrator

IT America Inc

Dallas, TX โ€ข Remote

Contractor

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Titleย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  : IBM Mainframe Administrator

Locationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  : Remote (Needs to travel to client site when required with your own expenses)

Durationย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  : Long term contract

Job Summary:

We are seeking an IBM Mainframe Administrator with expertise in data center migration, consolidation, and modernization. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing

mainframe migrations while ensuring high availability, minimal downtime, and data integrity. The ideal candidate will work with cross-functional teams to transition mainframe workloads from on-premise to new data center locations or cloud-hosted mainframes while adhering to industry best practices.

Detailed Job Description

  • System Management: Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of mainframe hardware, software, and operating systems.
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor system performance and ensure optimal operation by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks.
  • Security Management: Implement and maintain robust security protocols to protect mainframe systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
  • Backup and Recovery: Develop and manage backup and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and availability in case of system failures.
  • Storage Management: Manage and maintain Mainframe Storage Arrays and File Systems including Virtual Tape systems and subsystems.
  • Problem Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to mainframe systems, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption to business operations.
  • Capacity Planning: Conduct capacity planning and forecasting to ensure the mainframe environment can handle current and future workloads efficiently.
  • Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, procedures, and changes for reference and compliance purposes.
  • Support: Provide technical support and guidance to other IT staff and users regarding mainframe-related issues and queries.

Key Responsibilities

1. Data Center Migration Planning & Execution

  • Lead end-to-end migration of IBM mainframes from legacy data centers to new on-premise or cloud-based environments.
  • Develop mainframe workload migration strategies, including LPAR, data replication, and application transition.
  • Perform impact analysis, risk assessments, and dependency mapping before migration. IBM Mainframe Administrator
  • Implement cutover plans, rollback strategies, and failover testing to minimize downtime.

2. Mainframe Infrastructure Setup & Configuration

  • Configure and optimize IBM zSeries (z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux) environments in the new data center.
  • Manage LPAR provisioning, network segmentation, and workload balancing post-migration.
  • Tune system parameters, workload scheduling, and CPU resource allocation to maintain performance.
  • Ensure successful integration of migrated workloads with existing applications and databases.

3. Storage & Data Migration

  • Perform high-volume data migrations using tools like IBM DataMover, DFSMS, and SRDF/EMC storage replication.
  • Manage tape backup, virtual tape systems (VTS), and storage tiering for migration efficiency.
  • Ensure DB2, IMS, and VSAM databases are securely migrated with minimal data loss.
  • Conduct pre- and post-migration data integrity checks.

4. Network & Security Compliance in Migration

  • Implement mainframe network reconfiguration post-migration (TCP/IP, SNA, VTAM, OSA).
  • Maintain RACF security policies during and after migration to ensure role-based access control (RBAC) compliance.
  • Ensure encryption of in-transit and at-rest data meets regulatory standards (ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR).
  • Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users.

5. Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

  • Monitor CPU, memory, and storage utilization before, during, and after migration.
  • Use tools like IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, and Splunk for performance tracking and issue detection.
  • Optimize batch job execution, scheduling, and workload distribution post-migration.
  • Troubleshoot CICS, DB2, MQ Series, and COBOL application performance issues related to migration.

6. Disaster Recovery (DR) & High Availability

  • Implement DR and failover mechanisms in the new data center.
  • Conduct disaster recovery tests (DR drills) and failover validation to ensure business continuity.
  • Integrate mainframe workloads with cloud-based DR solutions (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure).

7. Documentation & Post-Migration Support

  • Create runbooks, system configuration documentation, and migration reports.
  • Document troubleshooting guides and knowledge base articles for ongoing support.
  • Train internal teams on mainframe operations in the new data center environment.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelorโ€™s or Masterโ€™s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in IBM mainframe operations, with 3+ years in data center migration projects.
  • Proven expertise in z/OS, CICS, DB2, IMS, RACF, JCL, and MQ Series.
  • Experience in data migration, workload balancing, and post-migration tuning.IBM Mainframe Administrator Certifications (Preferred but Not Mandatory)
  • IBM Certified System Administrator โ€“ z/OS
  • IBM Certified Database Administrator โ€“ DB2
  • ITIL Foundation Certification (for change management in migrations)
  • AWS/Azure Certified Cloud Practitioner (if cloud-hosted mainframe migration is required)

Technical Skills

  • Mainframe Platforms: IBM zSeries, z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux
  • Storage & Backup: DFSMS, HSM, SRDF, Tape Backup, VTS, DataMover
  • Networking & Security: TCP/IP, VTAM, OSA, RACF, MFA, Firewall Configurations
  • Database & Applications: DB2, IMS, VSAM, MQ Series, COBOL, JCL
  • Monitoring & Performance: IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, Splunk, CA-7 Job Scheduler
  • Automation & Scripting: REXX, CLIST, Python for mainframe automation

General Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring junior mainframe engineers