RPGLE Production Support Specialist

Job Summary

Synechron is seeking a dedicated RPGLE Production Support Specialist to ensure the continuous, stable, and efficient operation of critical IBM i (AS/400) systems. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting, troubleshooting, and maintaining RPGLE applications, providing technical expertise to resolve production incidents, and delivering reliable solutions that align with business objectives. Your contributions will help maintain high system availability, optimize performance, and support client needs, thereby enhancing overall operational excellence.

Software Requirements

• Required:
• RPGLE (RPG IV, ILE RPG): Proven experience supporting and maintaining RPGLE applications in production environments.
• IBM i (AS/400) systems: Hands-on experience with system administration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• IBM Navigator for i or related system management tools.
• Incident and problem management tools (e.g., ServiceNow, Remedy, or similar).
• Preferred:
• Version control systems (e.g., Git, Rational ClearCase).
• Modern development environments and tools integrated with IBM i.
• Scripting languages (e.g., CL, CLLE, Shell scripting) for automation.

Overall Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing support for RPGLE applications in a production environment, ensuring systems operate efficiently and reliably.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve production incidents, including system crashes, data issues, or performance bottlenecks.
• Perform code maintenance, enhancements, and upgrades of RPGLE programs to meet evolving business needs.
• Monitor system health and performance metrics, initiating proactive measures to prevent outages.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement system patches, updates, and changes while minimizing downtime.
• Maintain documentation of support activities, incident resolutions, and system configurations.
• Take part in on-call rotations to provide 24/7 support for critical system issues impacting business operations.
• Communicate technical issues effectively to stakeholders and clients, ensuring clarity and transparency.

Technical Skills

Programming Languages:

• Essential: RPGLE (RPG IV, ILE RPG) with experience troubleshooting and supporting production applications.
• Preferred: RPG3 with indicators; understanding of legacy RPG code and migration strategies.

Databases/Data Management:

• Experience with DB2 for i is required.
• Ability to perform database queries, updates, and performance tuning.

Cloud Technologies:

• Not mandatory but familiarity with cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure) for future integration or migration projects is a plus.

Frameworks and Libraries:

• Experience with IBM i-specific tools and frameworks is preferred.

Development Tools and Methodologies:

• Familiarity with version control, development environments, and Agile/Scrum practices.
• Knowledge of applied incident and problem management processes.

Security Protocols:

• Basic understanding of security best practices related to IBM systems and applications.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 5+ years of experience supporting RPGLE applications in a production environment.
• Proven experience with IBM i (AS/400) system administration and application support.
• Previous exposure to managing production incidents, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Industry experience in finance, manufacturing, or logistics sectors is advantageous.
• Alternative pathways include extensive experience in legacy RPG support combined with modernization initiatives.

Day-to-Day Activities

• Monitor ongoing system operations and respond promptly to alerts or incidents.
• Investigate and diagnose issues affecting application stability or performance.
• Apply patches, upgrades, and system changes following established procedures.
• Collaborate with developers and business teams to implement enhancements or troubleshoot issues.
• Participate in daily stand-ups, incident review meetings, and documentation updates.
• Maintain detailed logs of support activities, incident resolutions, and system configurations.
• Engage in on-call rotation for incident escalation outside regular working hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; equivalent practical experience also accepted.
• Certifications in IBM i administration, RPG programming, or related areas are preferred.
• Proven commitment to continuous learning through relevant training and certifications.
• Willingness to stay updated on emerging IBM i and RPGLE support best practices.

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication abilities to liaise with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments.
• Adaptability to evolving technology landscapes and support requirements.
• Focused on delivering high-quality solutions with a client-centric approach.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and handle multiple concurrent assignments.
• Enthusiasm for learning new technologies and process improvements