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Remote Mainframe Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Remote (Needs to travel to client site when required with your own expenses) Duration: Long term ... Experience working with mainframe and client server platforms * Experience working with company ...

Remote Mainframe information

See Madison, WI salary details

$10

$53

$72

How much do remote mainframe jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote mainframe in Madison, WI is $53.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.45 and $61.06 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 job?

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 Madison, WI? The most popular types of Mainframe jobs in Madison, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Mainframe jobs in Madison, WI? For Remote Mainframe jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Mainframe jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Mainframe jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Remote Mainframe jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Remote Mainframe job openings:
Infographic showing various Remote Mainframe job openings in Madison, WI as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,873 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
IBM Mainframe Administrator

IBM Mainframe Administrator

IT America Inc

Madison, WI • Remote

Contractor

Posted 21 days ago

Be an early applicant


Job description

Title: IBM Mainframe Administrator

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

Duration: 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[1]premise to new data center locations or cloud-hosted mainframes while adhering to industry best practices.

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.

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

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.
  • Implement cutover plans, rollback strategies, and failover testing to minimize downtime

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.

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

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[1]DSS, GDPR).
  • Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users

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.

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)

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

  • Bachelor’s or Master’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

Certifications (Preferred but Not Mandatory)

  • IBM Certified System Administrator – z/OS
  • IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2
  • ITIL Foundation Certification (for change management in migrations)
  • AWS/Azure Certified Cloud Practitioner (if cloud-hosted mainframe migration is required)

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