Mainframe Administration Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe CICS System Administrator

As a Mainframe CICS System Administrator, you’ll solve complex problems and identify potential future issues across the spectrum of platforms and services.

CICS Administration & Maintenance:

•            Install, upgrade, and maintain CICS Transaction Server (CICS TS) environments

•            Apply patches (PTFs), manage version upgrades, and perform regression validation

•            Configure and maintain CICS regions (production, test, DR)

•            Maintain startup parameters and system initialization tables (DFHSIT)

Performance Monitoring & Tuning:

•            Monitor transaction performance and system health using tools such as:

o            OMEGAMON / MainView / TMON

•            Analyze:

o            Transaction response times

o            CPU utilization

o            Storage usage

•            Perform tuning to eliminate bottlenecks

Mainframe ZOS System Programmer

The Mainframe z/OS System Programmer is responsible for the installation, customization, maintenance, and optimization of IBM z/OS operating systems and associated system software. This role ensures the stability, performance, security, and availability of mission-critical mainframe environments, supporting large-scale enterprise applications.

Responsibilities:

System Administration & Maintenance:

•            Install, configure, and maintain IBM z/OS operating systems.

•            Perform system upgrades, migrations (e.g., z/OS version upgrades), and apply maintenance (PTFs, APARs, RSUs).

•            Manage IPL processes, system initialization, and configuration (PARMLIB, PROCLIB, SYS1 datasets).

•            Monitor system health and performance using tools such as RMF, SMF, SDSF.

Subsystem Support:

•            Install, configure, and support key subsystems:

o            JES2/JES3

o            TSO/E, ISPF

o            USS (Unix System Services)

o            RACF (in coordination with security teams)

•            Work closely with DB2, CICS, IMS, MQ, and Storage teams for integration and support.

Performance & Capacity Management:

•            Analyze system performance metrics and implement tuning improvements.

•            Support capacity planning and resource optimization (CPU, memory, I/O).

•            Evaluate hardware upgrades (e.g., CPU/MIPS growth, z-series enhancements).

Problem Management & Troubleshooting:

•            Diagnose and resolve system-related issues, including system abends and failures.

•            Perform root cause analysis for outages and major incidents.

•            Work with IBM and vendors on problem determination and fixes.

Automation & Scheduling:

•            Develop and maintain automation using tools such as:

o            System REXX, CLIST

o            SA z/OS, NetView

•            Support job scheduling tools (e.g., CA7, Control-M where applicable).

Security & Compliance:

•            Support system-level security configurations aligned with RACF policies.

•            Ensure compliance with audit, regulatory, and enterprise security standards.

•            Assist in vulnerability remediation and patching activities.

Change & Release Management:

•            Execute changes through ITIL-based processes (ServiceNow or equivalent).

•            Prepare implementation plans, backout procedures, and validation steps.

•            Support weekend maintenance windows and IPL activities.

Documentation:

•            Create and maintain technical documentation, including:

o            System configurations

o            Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

o            Disaster Recovery plans

Mainframe IMS System Programmer:

The Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe IMS System Programmer to support and manage IBM z/OS IMS environments. The role is responsible for ensuring the stability, availability, performance, and security of IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems in a mission-critical banking or financial services environment.

Responsibilities:

•            Install, configure, and maintain IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems on IBM z/OS

•            Perform version upgrades, maintenance, and patching to ensure system currency and stability

•            Manage and maintain IMS system definitions, including DBDs, PSBs, ACB libraries, and control regions

•            Configure and tune buffer pools, parameters, and system resources to optimize performance

•            Monitor IMS database and transaction performance, proactively identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks

•            Troubleshoot and resolve system issues by analyzing logs, dumps, abends, and database errors

•            Support IMS utilities, backup/recovery processes, and disaster recovery testing

•            Ensure seamless integration with z/OS, DB2, MQ, CICS, TCP/IP, and Sysplex environments

•            Implement and follow ITIL/ServiceNow change management processes for all system updates

•            Maintain accurate technical documentation and system configurations

Required Qualifications:

•            7+ years of experience with IBM z/OS operating system

•            Hands-on experience with IMS DB and IMS TM administration

•            Deep knowledge of:

o            DBD/PSB/ACB management

o            IMS control regions and transaction processing

o            Buffer pool tuning and performance optimization

•            Experience with IMS utilities, backup/recovery, and DR strategies

•            Strong troubleshooting skills (dump analysis, log analysis, abend resolution)

•            Experience integrating IMS with:

o            DB2, CICS, MQ, and distributed systems

•            Familiarity with RACF security controls for IMS environments

•            Experience with SMP/E, JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF

•            Understanding of Sysplex and high availability architectures

Preferred Experience:

•            Exposure to IMS modernization or API enablement (z/OS Connect, REST integration)

•            Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., OMEGAMON, MainView, RMF)

•            Knowledge of automation tools (REXX, Ansible, z/OSMF workflows)

•            Experience with DB  control, TCPIP, ZOS Connect, Assembler routines.

•            Skill and experience with IMS Routines & Exit Routines will be a big plus.

Mainframe IMS Application DBA

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe IMS Application DBA (IMS DBA Analyst) to manage and support IMS database environments in a high-availability enterprise setting. This role is responsible for database design support, performance optimization, data integrity, and backup/recovery operations for mission-critical applications running on IBM z/OS.

Key Responsibilities:

•            Install, configure, and maintain IMS database environments (IMS DB)

•            Support and manage different IMS database types:

o            Full Function DB

o            Fast Path DB

o            HALDB (High Availability Large Databases)

•            Perform database administration activities:

o            Database definition, allocation, and dataset management

o            REORGs and space management to maintain performance

•            Manage IMS control structures:

o            DBD, PSB, ACB libraries, and IMS Catalog

•            Execute and support IMS utilities:

o            Load / Unload

o            Reorganization

o            Image Copy

o            Recovery utilities (e.g., DFSURGL0, DFSUICP0)

•            Monitor database performance and resolve issues:

o            Access path inefficiencies

o            Space constraints

o            Application-related data issues

o            Abends and data inconsistencies

•            Collaborate with:

o            Application development teams (DL/I access, database design)

o            IMS System Programmers (performance and tuning)

o            Operations teams (batch and online processing)

•            Participates in design, development and implementation of complex Databases or maintenance and support of the infrastructure supporting IMS databases, often using new technologies and emerging methodologies.

•            Manages multiple, moderately complex projects and may direct activities of a team related to special initiatives or operations. Routine accountability is for technical knowledge and capabilities as a team member or as an individual contributor.

•            Design technical solution to match business application requirements

•            Create process flow charts and related procedural documentation.

•            Perform database recovery of all types (Image Copy recovery, PIT recovery).

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