1

Mainframe Monitor Jobs in Milwaukee, WI (NOW HIRING)

Experience with mainframe performance monitoring and capacity management tools , including RMF and MainView . * Strong understanding of Coupling Facilities, Mainframe Storage Management, and IBM Z ...

... mainframe systems, on-prem and cloud environments. Detect, diagnose, and resolve performance, reliability, and security issues using AI-driven monitoring, NLP-based log analysis, and automation tools.

Mainframe Monitor information

See Milwaukee, WI salary details

$9

$52

$71

How much do mainframe monitor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe monitor in Milwaukee, WI is $52.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.44 and $59.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mainframe Monitor vs Mainframe Operator?

AspectMainframe MonitorMainframe Operator
CredentialsTypically requires certifications in mainframe systems, such as IBM Certified System AdministratorOften requires basic mainframe operation training, sometimes with certifications
Work EnvironmentMonitoring mainframe systems, analyzing performance, and troubleshooting issuesExecuting daily operational tasks, running batch jobs, and system backups
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large enterprises, banks, and data centers managing critical mainframe infrastructureCommonly employed in similar environments for routine system operations

The mainframe monitor focuses on overseeing system performance and troubleshooting, while the mainframe operator handles daily operational tasks and job execution. Both roles are essential in maintaining mainframe system efficiency but differ in responsibilities and skill requirements.

Are mainframe jobs in demand?

Mainframe Monitor roles are in demand in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government, where legacy systems remain critical. These jobs require knowledge of mainframe environments, programming languages like COBOL, and tools such as z/OS, with demand driven by the need for system maintenance and modernization efforts.

Can AI replace mainframe?

Mainframe monitors oversee the operation and maintenance of mainframe systems, which are critical for large-scale enterprise computing. While AI can assist with tasks like system monitoring, automation, and troubleshooting, it is unlikely to fully replace the role due to the complexity and reliability requirements of mainframe environments. Human expertise remains essential for managing, configuring, and ensuring the security of mainframe systems.

What are mainframe jobs called?

Mainframe jobs are typically called mainframe system administrators, mainframe operators, or mainframe programmers. These roles involve managing, monitoring, and maintaining mainframe computers, often requiring knowledge of languages like COBOL and tools such as z/OS. Certifications like IBM Certified System Administrator can enhance job prospects.

What is the job description of a mainframe?

A mainframe monitor is responsible for overseeing and managing mainframe computer systems, ensuring their optimal performance, security, and availability. This role involves monitoring system operations, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining system software and hardware, often using specialized tools and requiring knowledge of mainframe environments like z/OS. Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with mainframe technologies are essential for this position.
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Monitor jobs in Milwaukee, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Monitor jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Monitor job openings in Milwaukee, WI as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 76% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 5% Summer. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,388 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Mainframe Senior Sys Prog / Database Administrator - Db2

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Franklin, WI • On-site

$46.25 - $63.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Northwestern Mutual rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 300 rated insurance


Job description

Mainframe Senior Sys Prog / Database Administrator - Db2
What You'll Do
  • Work closely with all levels of IT to deploy and support z/OS Db2 infrastructure and the associated application stack
  • Provide leadership in technical aspects of assigned projects and support issues; bring new ideas to the table when appropriate
  • Work with companion teams to set up and enforce database standards
  • Identify opportunities to improve availability, reliability, and performance of system and application infrastructure
  • Monitor system and application performance & provide performance improvement recommendations
  • Upgrade, configure, and migrate new releases of Db2; regularly apply maintenance, and when necessary, apply PTFs/APRS
  • Manage Db2 active and archive logs
  • Modify Db2 zParms
  • Recycle Db2
  • Ensure recoverability of the system and applications' database components
  • Support DR activities (RTO/RPO: synchronization methods)
  • Monitor instances for events and resolutions/escalations
  • Ensure the proper alerting is occurring for Db2 messages
  • Perform triage and troubleshooting
  • Install, upgrade, configure and migrate new releases of Db2 ISV products, apply maintenance, and when necessary, apply fixes
  • Support Db2 Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Products
  • Develop scripting to automate Db2 systems engineering tasks

What You'll Bring to the Role
  • Solid knowledge in Db2 subsystems and application tuning
  • A keen eye on process improvement and automation
  • Competence in Incident, Problem, and Change Management
  • In-depth experience in supporting mainframe technology (i.e. z/OS ISPF, JCL, JES2, etc.) specifically SMP/E or ZOSMF
  • Experience reviewing HOLDDATA
  • Utilize stand-alone utilities (i.e. DSNJLOGF, DSNJU004, DSNJU003, etc.)
  • Understand logical and physical database design
  • Experience as a z/OS DB2 administration, working with DDL, DML/DQL, DCL, DTL, DB2 commands, and SQL
  • System and Application Performance tuning; including tuning bufferpools
  • Experience in the Db2 Utilities (i.e. COPY, QUIESCE, REPAIR, REORG, LOAD, etc.)
  • Understand RACF Security
  • Understand Db2 managed security using RACF opposed to Db2 security
  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
  • 4-5 years professional experience. May include:
    • 5 years of professional IT experience
    • 5 years' experience with at least one OS/hosting platform
    • 5 years' experience in performance tuning of application stacks
    • 5 years' experience with monitoring and performance management of systems
    • 3-5 years' experience with identity platform and tools
    • 2 years' experience with modern development and scripting languages
  • Experience with CICD concepts, tools, branching strategies, and leveraging knowledge to assist in delivering an infrastructure as a product
  • Excellent troubleshooting skills within area of expertise, and solid troubleshooting in adjacent domains
  • Solid understanding of traditional or cloud computing technologies including Networking, Compute, Storage, Development, Data, Operations, or Security
  • Experience with multiple delivery methodologies such as Agile and Waterfall

Skills You Have
  • Accountability: Holds self and their direct reports accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results, delivery, and execution. Determines objectives, sets priorities, delegates work to direct reports, and accepts responsibility for mistakes.
  • Adaptive Communication: Formulates strategies to be used to convey complex information about services, products, systems, or processes to targeted audiences; communicates and liaises between technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Analytical Thinking: Organizes and compares various aspects of a situation to comprehend and identify key or underlying complex issues through the use of quantitative data and analysis; leverages strong business acumen, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to think critically about situations from multiple perspectives and consistently seeks ways to improve processes.
  • Cross Functional Partnering & Planning: Facilitates collaboration, communication, coordination, and planning with individuals and teams from different functions within the organization, and who have different areas of expertise, to achieve common goals.
  • Infrastructure Development: Applies the knowledge of endpoint management and infrastructure platforms to analyze, design, implement, secure, and maintain hardware, network, and data storage platforms while ensuring that the infrastructure platforms align with the strategic direction of the organization. Designs, maintains, upgrades, and manages data centers and other operational components to support development operations efforts. Understands impacts on software development from Hardware design review.
  • Learning Agility & Critical Thinking: Pursues learning and obtains knowledge continuously in relevant fields, methods, or technologies in current and future practices; continuously utilizes critical thinking to identify opportunities, execute solutions, and measure impact to constantly improve existing practices and processes based on feedback, lessons learned, and market trends.
  • Monitor System Health: Applies the knowledge of various tools and techniques to monitor the performance of computer systems, networks, applications, and other infrastructure components to identify and diagnose problems, optimize performance, and ensure that the systems meet the established performance standards. Analyzes performance data, identifies trends, establishes performance baselines, sets up alerts and notifications, conducts periodic performance testing, and recommends solutions to improve system performance.
  • OS Level Knowledge: Leverages the fundamental concepts, principles, and components of an operating system to interact with and manage different operating systems, including installation, configuration, and maintenance. Demonstrates knowledge of how an operating system manages hardware resources, such as memory, processors, and storage, and how software interacts with these resources to design, develop, and maintain software that operates effectively on different platforms and provides the best possible user experience.
  • Technical Problem Solving: Conducts in-depth analysis of technology needs, issues, and roadblocks within assigned scope, applies best practice based on experience and expertise, explores the "art of possible". Solves problems effectively and gains alignment on the path forward. Defines, understands, and documents what is being solved for.

#LI-Remote
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$108,160.00
Pay Range - End:
$162,240.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
$118,960.00 USD - $178,440.00 USD
Structure 115:
$124,400.00 USD - $186,600.00 USD
We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

What Northwestern Mutual employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Northwestern Mutual logo

About Northwestern Mutual

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for over 160 years through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation, and distribution. With more than $290 billion in assets, $30 billion in revenues and more than $1.9 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.6 million clients. People are the power behind Northwestern Mutual, and diversity makes us better. We are committed to reflecting and serving the marketplace. We do so by attracting and improving the engagement of those who bring their outstanding perspectives, ideas, and beliefs.

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US