What Is a Mainframe Systems Programmer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a mainframe systems programmer, your responsibilities are to maintain an organization’s server computer, also called a mainframe computer. Your duties include handling server configuration, as well as installing, upgrading, and customizing the operating system and other software necessary for running the server and its databases. You also work with other IT professionals with the planning of security measures to protect the mainframe and routinely perform tests for bugs and other security issues.

Qualifications to become a mainframe systems programmer include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer architecture, or information technology and relevant experience. While in college, you can look for summer jobs and internships or externships with enterprise-sized companies where you can learn practical skills related to the field. In addition to strong technical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities, you must have excellent communication skills to prepare documentation of technical processes and user guides for when the company upgrades products, such as installing new hardware and software.