Mainframe Systems Programmer

TEKsystems•Buffalo, NY

2d•$35 - $58•Remote

About The Position

This position is responsible for engineering, maintaining, and supporting middleware technologies within IBM z/OS environments. The role focuses on ensuring the stability, security, and overall performance of enterprise applications that rely on mainframe middleware tools such as CICS, IMS, MQ, DB2, and WebSphere. Working closely with infrastructure teams, application developers, and operational support, this individual helps deliver reliable, scalable mainframe services and contributes to ongoing modernization and innovation initiatives.

Requirements

7+ years of combined education and/or professional experience relevant to the role.
Ability to interpret technical documents and understand complex system concepts.
Strong foundation in IBM z/OS and core mainframe systems programming.
Practical experience working with at least one major middleware platform such as CICS, MQ, IMS, or WebSphere.
Proficiency with SMP/E, JCL, REXX, CLIST, and commonly used automation tools.
Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to work in large-scale enterprise environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Sysplex environments, z/OSMF, or other high-availability frameworks.
Familiarity with mainframe networking technologies (TCPIP, VTAM, Comm Server, certificate management).
Knowledge of service management and Agile tools such as ServiceNow and Jira.
Exposure to DevOps practices, automation pipelines, or modernization initiatives for mainframe ecosystems.
Understanding of hybrid cloud or mainframe‑to‑cloud integration concepts.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

Deploy, configure, and support middleware platforms including CICS, IMS TM/DB, IBM MQ, WebSphere Application Server, Connect:Direct, FTP/SFTP, z/OS Connect, and other related technologies.
Assist with application rollouts, testing cycles, and integration activities across distributed and mainframe environments.
Monitor system performance and availability using tools such as OMEGAMON, SYSVIEW, CICS PA, c/Prof, and other monitoring solutions.
Diagnose and resolve advanced middleware issues; coordinate with vendors or external partners when necessary.
Automate routine processes, recovery steps, and operational tasks to improve resiliency and efficiency.
Maintain operational procedures, technical runbooks, and architecture documentation.
Provide support for z/OS components tied to middleware operation, including SMP/E, JCL, REXX, PARMLIB, and PROCLIB.
Support maintenance activities such as patching, upgrades, and IPL planning.
Contribute to performance tuning and capacity planning efforts.
Ensure system configurations and documentation remain current and follow established standards.
Participate in an on-call rotation for middleware and system-related support.
Collaborate with application teams to troubleshoot issues and optimize end-to-end performance.
Engage in disaster recovery preparation, testing, and execution.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to knowledge sharing within the group.
Utilize platforms like ServiceNow and Jira to manage work, prioritize tasks, and support Agile delivery models.
Follow internal risk, compliance, and control requirements, raising concerns when needed.
Perform additional duties aligned with the needs of the team.