Mainframe Systems Programmer - ISV

Role overview

This role supports enterprise mainframe environments through the installation, configuration, upgrading, testing, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance of independent software vendor products. The work combines z/OS systems programming with operational database support across environments that use z/OS, DB2, and IMS. It is a production-focused position involving incident response, technical projects, vendor coordination, and scheduled on-call coverage rather than application development.

Responsibilities

- Install, maintain, configure, customize, and troubleshoot z/OS software products, including parameter setup and SMP/E-based maintenance. - Handle incidents, changes, problems, and major-event support, including participation in an on-call rotation and off-hours response when required. - Use TSO/ISPF, SDSF, JCL, Unix System Services, and related tooling to investigate issues and implement controlled changes. - Monitor and maintain DB2 and IMS environments, including backups, scheduled maintenance, logs, space usage, restrictive states, and job failures. - Perform database administration tasks such as loading, unloading, restoring, refreshing development or test databases, reorganization, statistics collection, and data cleanup. - Work with operations, vendors, application teams, and other technical groups to resolve high-priority issues and contribute to infrastructure projects.

Requirements

- At least five years of experience working in a large-enterprise mainframe environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. - Strong knowledge of z/OS installation and maintenance, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, JCL, Unix System Services, USS file-system management, and security. - Practical experience with z/OS systems programming, ISV installations, problem resolution, and controlled implementation of changes. - Experience with DB2 or IMS database operations, including backup and recovery, maintenance activities, space management, performance troubleshooting, and query-tuning concepts. - Strong analytical, organizational, communication, customer-service, and teamwork skills, with the ability to remain effective during major incidents.

Nice to have

- Familiarity with z/OS security, Parallel Sysplex, catalog management, and the z/OS services structure. - Knowledge of COBOL, database monitoring or administration toolsets, and additional mainframe database platforms such as IDMS, Adabas, Supra, System 2000, or Datacom.

Benefits and work setup

The position supports remote work when client-site presence is not required and may offer flexible scheduling. Listed benefits include paid time off, health, dental, vision, disability and life coverage, retirement matching, family-forming support, parental leave, education or student-loan assistance, sabbatical leave, and wellness programs.