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Remote Mainframe Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

CICS/MQ Systems Programmer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$56.75 - $72/hr

CICS /MQ MAINFRAME SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER CICS ~~ MQ ~~ Z/OS MAINFRAME SYSTEMS ~~ SMP/E ~~ JES 2 ~~ CICSPLEX ~~ INFRASTRUCTURE REMOTE !!~~ REMOTE!! ~~~~FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS/ANNUAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY~

New

... mainframe and Micro Focus COBOL ecosystems. They will support and enhance existing AI-driven ... remote position. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026. About ...

Remote Mainframe information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$51

$70

How much do remote mainframe jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote mainframe in Illinois is $51.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $58.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by remote mainframe professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Remote Mainframe professionals often face challenges such as maintaining secure access to legacy systems, managing time zone differences with global teams, and troubleshooting issues without on-site support. To address these, organizations typically provide robust VPNs and multi-factor authentication for secure connections, implement effective communication tools, and foster detailed documentation practices. Staying proactive with regular updates, clear documentation, and open communication with colleagues ensures smoother remote operations and minimizes downtime.

What is a remote mainframe?

A Remote Mainframe job refers to positions where professionals manage, maintain, or develop mainframe computer systems while working remotely, often from home or another offsite location. Mainframes are powerful computers used by large organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing, and large-scale transaction processing. Remote mainframe professionals may work in roles such as system administrators, programmers, or support analysts. These roles typically require specialized knowledge of mainframe operating systems like IBM z/OS and experience with mainframe programming languages such as COBOL or Assembler.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote mainframe specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Mainframe Specialist, you need deep expertise in mainframe systems (such as IBM z/OS), COBOL or Assembler programming, and experience with large-scale enterprise environments, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like JCL, TSO/ISPF, and mainframe performance monitoring tools, as well as certifications like IBM Certified System Programmer, are often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective remote communication are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure reliable system operations, timely resolution of critical issues, and seamless collaboration with distributed technical teams.

What are remote mainframe jobs?

Remote mainframe jobs include a variety of positions, including those in development, customer service, and system administration. In these roles, you may telecommute to monitor existing mainframe systems, help develop new software, secure a computer network, or otherwise manage and control the operations of the mainframe from home. Some remote mainframe jobs also involve coordinating with an on-site engineer to reprogram or adjust mainframe systems as necessary. This is a relatively broad job title that can refer to many different positions, so you may need to narrow your search to specific roles in order to get results that match your education and experience.

What is the difference between Remote Mainframe vs Remote Data Analyst?

AspectRemote MainframeRemote Data Analyst
Required CredentialsMainframe certifications (e.g., IBM Certified Specialist)Data analysis certifications (e.g., Microsoft, SAS)
Work EnvironmentLegacy systems, mainframe terminals, specialized softwareModern computers, data visualization tools, databases
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, large corporationsTech companies, marketing firms, healthcare organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentTechnical skills, mainframe job roles, remote opportunitiesData analysis skills, remote data jobs, analytics roles

Remote Mainframe and Remote Data Analyst roles differ mainly in technical focus and work environment. Mainframe roles involve legacy systems and specialized certifications, often within finance or government sectors. Data Analyst positions focus on modern data tools and visualization, applicable across various industries. Both roles are in demand for remote work, but they serve different technical needs and skill sets.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Mainframe jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Mainframe jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Mainframe jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Remote Mainframe jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Remote Mainframe job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Mainframe job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 5% Temporary, and 60% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,587 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

IBM Mainframe Storage and Replication Administrator (Remote)

DivIHN

Springfield, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

For further inquiries regarding the following opportunity, please contact our Talent Specialist, Abdul at (224) 507-1295 or Saravanakumar at (224) 507-1183 or Justeen at (224) 394-4903 or Ragu at (224) 704-1713
Title: IBM Mainframe Storage and Replication Administrator (Remote)
Location: Remote
Duration: 6 Months

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with 7.5 hours per day.
Initial 2 days onsite visit (Springfield, IL) is required for onboarding purposes; the rest of the engagement will be remote.
Only W2 candidates are eligible for this position. Third-party or C2C candidates will not be considered.
Job Description
Position Summary

• Client is seeking an experienced Mainframe Storage and DASD Replication Administrator to manage and maintain the agency's mission critical IBM mainframe storage infrastructure.
• This role is responsible for the installation, configuration, monitoring, and administration of the IBM TS7700 Virtual Tape System (VTS 7700) backup environment and the IBM DS8000 replication environment used for disaster recovery and failover.
• The administrator ensures stability, performance, and security of storage and backup systems supporting statewide business applications and services.
• The ideal candidate will have senior level expertise in mainframe storage administration, replication technologies, and disaster recovery operations.
• The role includes resource monitoring, system configuration, troubleshooting, and collaboration with hardware vendors.
• It requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a high availability, enterprise scale environment.
• Key responsibilities include configuring storage, resolving issues, providing technical direction to junior staff, and working closely with system architects and vendors.
• This position requires strong knowledge of z/OS, enterprise storage management software such as IBM Copy Services Manager, and disaster recovery best practices.
Key Responsibilities
1. System Administration
DASD and VTS management: Monitor performance, availability, and utilization of DASD and IBM TS7700 VTS storage resources.
Capacity planning: Analyze storage usage trends and forecast future requirements.
Performance tuning: Diagnose and resolve performance issues related to storage subsystems.
Backup and recovery: Manage daily data backups and safeguarded copy processes; ensure replication consistency for disaster recovery.
Incident and problem management: Respond to major storage incidents, perform root cause analysis, and drive long term remediation.
Vendor management: Collaborate with IBM and other vendors on installations, upgrades, migrations, and support escalations.
Technical guidance: Provide mentorship, support, and knowledge transfer to junior team members.
System configuration: Allocate storage space, configure storage devices, adjust cache and replication settings, and implement changes across the storage environment.
2. Disaster Recovery & High Availability
• Participate in disaster recovery (DR) testing, failover exercises, and system restoration planning.
• Develop and maintain storage recovery runbooks, procedures, and operational documentation.
3. Support & Collaboration
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to storage, replication, and performance.
• Work with internal DoIT teams and vendors for upgrades, migrations, and issue resolution.
• Provide documentation, training, and mentoring to junior staff and operations personnel.
Qualifications Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience administering mainframe storage and replication systems.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise DASD subsystems and IBM VTS technology (e.g., IBM TS7700, IBM DS8000 replication suites).
• Proven expertise with IBM Copy Services technologies, including FlashCopy, journals, Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, and multi site replication strategies.
• Demonstrated ability in system performance tuning, capacity management, and resource planning.
• Skills in JCL, REXX, CLIST, and automation tools supporting storage operations.
• Experience supporting disaster recovery procedures and high availability architecture.
Preferred:
• Experience with QuickRef, TMON, and Omegamon.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Prior experience in government or other regulated environments.