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Mainframe Programmer Contract Jobs in Dallas, TX

Senior Database Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$104K - $142K/yr

Houston, TX - 60% Onsite (Hybrid) Contract Length: 6 months, potential for FTE conversion Interview ... IBM DB2 z/OS Administration (8+ yrs) - ✔️ Strong background in mainframe DB2 engineering and ...

Senior Software Engineer - AI

Dallas, TX · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

... structures, API contracts, and data models into structured specs that guide AI-assisted ... i.e., Mainframe Cobol apps/DB2 to Java apps/SQL or MongoDB o Hands-on experience with Large ...

Showing results 21-40

Mainframe Programmer Contract information

See Dallas, TX salary details

$38

$53

$66

How much do mainframe programmer contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe programmer contract in Dallas, TX is $53.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.59 and $62.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mainframe programmer contract?

A Mainframe Programmer Contract job is a temporary position where a programmer develops, maintains, and troubleshoots software applications running on mainframe systems. Contractors are typically hired for specific projects or to fill short-term gaps in an organization's IT team. They work with legacy programming languages like COBOL, JCL, and assembler to ensure the smooth operation of critical business applications. Contract durations vary based on project needs and may be extended or converted into full-time roles. These roles often require experience with mainframe environments such as IBM z/OS.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a mainframe programmer contract position?

To thrive as a Mainframe Programmer Contract, you need deep expertise in COBOL, JCL, and mainframe operating systems, often backed by a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, TSO/ISPF, DB2, and knowledge of middleware or integration technologies is highly valuable and sometimes enhanced by relevant certifications. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for this position. These competencies enable you to efficiently maintain legacy systems, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

What typical responsibilities can contractors expect in a mainframe programmer role?

As a Mainframe Programmer on a contract basis, you will often be responsible for writing, updating, and maintaining code in languages such as COBOL or PL/I, managing batch processing jobs, and performing data migrations or system integrations. You may also debug existing mainframe applications, resolve performance issues, and collaborate closely with business analysts, QA teams, and system administrators to meet project objectives. Contractors are frequently engaged in system upgrades or modernization initiatives, which require flexibility and strong problem-solving abilities. Project scopes and daily tasks can vary depending on the organization’s reliance on mainframe systems and current technical goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Programmer jobs in Dallas, TX? The most popular types of Mainframe Programmer jobs in Dallas, TX are:
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What job categories do people searching Mainframe Programmer Contract jobs in Dallas, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Programmer Contract jobs in Dallas, TX are:
What cities near Dallas, TX are hiring for Mainframe Programmer Contract jobs? Cities near Dallas, TX with the most Mainframe Programmer Contract job openings:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Programmer Contract job openings in Dallas, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,346 per year, or $53.5 per hour.

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

Noblesoft Technologies

Frisco, TX • On-site

$131K/yr

Contractor

Re-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 – System z Performance and Capacity Management (Preferred)