Mainframe Engineer

TEKsystems•Berwyn, IL

1d•$10 - $70•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an IBM Mainframe Full Stack Systems Engineer experienced with end to end engineering and modernization of large scale enterprise IBM Z environments. This role requires deep, hands on expertise across multiple z/OS versions, core subsystems, security platforms, storage, networking, virtualization, and performance management in highly regulated, mission critical environments. This role is engineering first, focused on architecture, deep technical analysis, system tuning, and modernization readiness. The engineer will play a critical role in proofing the mainframe platform, ensuring technical compatibility, stability, and performance as the stack evolves.

Requirements

IBM Mainframe Full Stack Systems Engineer experienced with end to end engineering and modernization of large scale enterprise IBM Z environments
Deep, hands on expertise across multiple z/OS versions, core subsystems, security platforms, storage, networking, virtualization, and performance management in highly regulated, mission critical environments
Engineering first, focused on architecture, deep technical analysis, system tuning, and modernization readiness
z/OS Platform Modernization & Upgrade Engineering
Full Stack Mainframe Engineering (Subsystem Depth)
DB2 for z/OS - Subsystem configuration, performance characteristics, and version interactions
CICS TS - System level behavior, workload tuning, and modernization readiness, TLS enablement impacts
IMS (DB/DC) - Platform interaction, efficient tuning, and coexistence with modern stacks
IBM MQ for z/OS - Queue Manager architecture and configuration, MQ subsystem behavior across z/OS and middleware upgrades, Performance tuning (buffer pools, logging behavior, workload patterns), Dependency analysis with CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS, and distributed platforms. TLS enabled channel architecture and modernization
Common enterprise schedulers (e.g., CA-7, Control-M) and other ISV tooling
Compiler and language versions and when recompilations are necessary during upgrades
Common mainframe integrations, including Change Data Capture (CDC) tools, Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools, and DB2 Gateway
Mainframe terminal emulators
Storage, Networking & Virtualization Engineering
Mainframe storage behavior, layout, and recovery implications during modernization
Mainframe networking, including SNA, VTAM, and TCP/IP interactions
Design around z/VM and virtualized environments
Identify infrastructure constraints that limit modernization or performance gains
Security Engineering
Review and engineer as needed for RACF and ACF2 security platforms to maintain access controls, profiles, auditing, logging, and compliance enforcement
Partner as needed with risk, audit, and application teams to review and ensure policy alignment and regulatory compliance
Mainframe security best practices, including encrypting data in transit
Leverage SMF, RMF, and operational metrics to analyze system performance, Identify bottlenecks, support capacity planning, and forecasting
Review and recommend tuning system parameters and subsystem configurations to optimize throughput, response time, and cost efficiency
Help identify trends and risks impacting availability or scalability
Review and recommend operational tasks automation opportunities using REXX, CLIST, JCL, TSO/ISPF, reducing manual effort through automation, standardization, and self healing processes
Partner with Application teams, Middleware teams, Security & risk organizations, and Vendors (IBM and ISVs)

Responsibilities

z/OS Platform Modernization & Upgrade Engineering: Engineer for multiple concurrent legacy and current z/OS versions including Version interoperability, Incremental upgrade paths, Dependency validation across the stack, Pre upgrade technical assessments, Post upgrade stabilization, and tuning
Full Stack Mainframe Engineering (Subsystem Depth) - Provide deep system level engineering expertise across the core IBM Z stack i.e. but not limited to: DB2 for z/OS - Subsystem configuration, performance characteristics, and version interactions; CICS TS - System level behavior, workload tuning, and modernization readiness, TLS enablement impacts; IMS (DB/DC) - Platform interaction, efficient tuning, and coexistence with modern stacks; IBM MQ for z/OS - Queue Manager architecture and configuration, MQ subsystem behavior across z/OS and middleware upgrades, Performance tuning (buffer pools, logging behavior, workload patterns), Dependency analysis with CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS, and distributed platforms. TLS enabled channel architecture and modernization; Common enterprise schedulers (e.g., CA-7, Control-M) and other ISV tooling; Compiler and language versions and when recompilations are necessary during upgrades; Common mainframe integrations, including Change Data Capture (CDC) tools, Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools, and DB2 Gateway; Mainframe terminal emulators
Maintain a holistic view of cross subsystem dependencies during upgrades
Storage, Networking & Virtualization Engineering, providing engineering insight into: Mainframe storage behavior, layout, and recovery implications during modernization; Mainframe networking, including SNA, VTAM, and TCP/IP interactions; Design around z/VM and virtualized environments; Identify infrastructure constraints that limit modernization or performance gains
Security Engineering: Review and engineer as needed for RACF and ACF2 security platforms to maintain access controls, profiles, auditing, logging, and compliance enforcement; Partner as needed with risk, audit, and application teams to review and ensure policy alignment and regulatory compliance; Mainframe security best practices, including encrypting data in transit
Leverage SMF, RMF, and operational metrics to analyze system performance, Identify bottlenecks, support capacity planning, and forecasting
Review and recommend tuning system parameters and subsystem configurations to optimize throughput, response time, and cost efficiency
Help identify trends and risks impacting availability or scalability
Review and recommend operational tasks automation opportunities using REXX, CLIST, JCL, TSO/ISPF, reducing manual effort through automation, standardization, and self healing processes
Collaboration & Leadership - Partner with Application teams, Middleware teams, Security & risk organizations, and Vendors (IBM and ISVs)