Senior Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer

Senior Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer

Atlanta, GA (Day 1 onsite)

Long Term Contract

Monitors system software access, performance, and resource utilization;

Primary responsibility for maintaining the z/OS 3.1 and JES2 software environment;

Work with application programmers to ensure that application problems do not adversely affect production operations;

Ability to provide 24/7/365 software support. This would include on-call support during off-hours;

Assists with the analysis, design, programming, and implementation of applications that will interface with system software;

Develop/maintain/monitor proper software use and security authorization policies;

Creates, maintains, and upgrades software systems for development and production environments;

Analyzes requirements and recommends policies, procedures, and standards for software systems;

Implement and verifies backup and recovery procedures. This would include Business Recovery concerns and associated testing;

Accept ownership of all mainframe-based systems, including multiple z/OS LPARs and different datacenters;

Install new z/OS releases as they become available;

Keep supported systems current with the latest maintenance provided by IBM and other vendors. Maintain system reliability and ensure availability;

Be available after hours for emergency or exceptional situations concerning the mainframe and mainframe-based systems;

Resolve any system-related problems that may arise in a timely and efficient manner.

Requirements:

10+ years of experience with mainframe software management specific to z/OS operating system and other software products;

Ability to install and customize IBM and third-party software using SMP/E & and MF utilities;

Experience in keeping the z/OS hardware configuration current and configure new devices as needed or when new changes are required during upgrade to zNext(z17?);

Possible travel and variable hours may be required;

Ability to write software exit program(s) and use software utilities as required;

Solid knowledge of mainframe JCL and utilities;

Ability to write/read/debug programs in a batch and online environment;

Ability to perform multiple activities simultaneously with minimal or no supervision.

Provide z/OS 3.1 operating system support for IBM z16 processors running CICS TS 6.1, DB2 V13, MQ 9.3, Connect Direct, CAMIM etc on multiple LPARs.

Provide support to other mainframe groups - Storage Management, Performance/Capacity Planning, Information Security, System Automation, Networking (VTAM and TCP/IP), Production Control and Interfaces, CICS Support, DB2 Support, Change Control, etc.

Create, populate, secure and troubleshoot IBM z/OS USS (UNIX Systems Services) file systems and mount points. Manage the USS environment on an IBM z/OS mainframe platform. Provide support to applications utilizing NFS.

Maintain the z/OS PARMLIB libraries as they relate to the Operating System requirements, configure necessary changes during z/OS upgrade or required by other products.

Perform hardware configuration using HCD for IBM z16/zNext processors running z/OS.

Perform zOSMF installations of the z/OS Operating System as soon as new versions become available from IBM.

Perform installations, support and deployment with and without SMP/E of multiple ISV (Independent Software Vendor) products to z/OS LPAR's. Ensure that these products are always at supported levels as documented in vendor's websites.

Package z/OS and ISV rollouts utilizing automation to minimize time of delivery and errors. Train other support groups to use these automated rollout packages for faster distribution to all LPAR's.

Work with IBM and ISV vendors in problem determination, documentation and resolution.

Perform maintenance of the z/OS Operating System by automating the process to receive and apply latest RSU's from IBM on the Engineering LPAR and automating the distribution process using tools like the z/OSMF Software Management.

Use the multiple system tools, including but not limited to SMP/E, IBM Utilities (IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, IDCAMS, etc), to create, populate, update, configure and distribute required datasets and parameter libraries and members to successfully implement software installations and upgrades on the IBM z/OS platform.

Use SYSLOG, create/analyze system traces and dumps, job output, and monitoring tools to diagnose and resolve IBM z/OS and ISV product abends on the IBM z/OS platform. Be able to work with vendors in problem resolution and implement solutions provided by them.

Utilize the ServiceNOW application to monitor open requests from other support groups and to monitor incidents/problems reported on the z/OS platform.

Provide support and regular upgrades to suite of Broadcom and BMC products, IZSM monthly maintenance and GDB knowledge upgrades

Support regular resiliency exercises of moving test and production environments, applications, MF LPARs from one DC to another.

Utilize RMF, SYSVIEW, Tivoli Omegamon to ensure health of mainframe environments and setup and tune automated processes for systems health monitoring.