z/OS System Programmer

Job Title: z/OS System ProgrammerLocation: Chennai, Bangalore, NoidaExperience: 7–10 YearsEmployment Type: Full-Time- Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer : 7-10 years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer.- Job Summary: We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Mainframe z/OS Systems Programmer to join our dynamic IT team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of the z/OS operating system, as well as various Independent Software Vendor (ISV) products. This role requires deep technical expertise in mainframe technologies, a strong understanding of system performance tuning, problem diagnosis, and a commitment to ensuring the stability, security, and efficiency of our critical mainframe infrastructure.- Key Responsibilities:- z/OS Upgrades and Maintenance:- Plan, prepare, and execute z/OS operating system upgrades (e.g., from z/OS 2.x to z/OS 3.x), including pre-installation checks, customization, testing, and post-upgrade verification.- Apply IBM PTFs (Program Temporary Fixes) and APARs (Authorized Program Analysis Reports) to maintain system integrity and resolve reported issues.- Perform regular IPLs (Initial Program Loads) and system restarts as required for maintenance and upgrades.- Monitor z/OS system health, performance, and resource utilization using tools like RMF, SMF, Omegamon, etc.- ISV Product Management:- Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain a wide range of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) products (e.g., Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, Rocket Software, etc.). This includes products for security (ACF2, Top Secret, RACF), performance monitoring, job scheduling (CA-7, TWS), storage management (SMS, CA-Disk, FDR/ABR), database (DB2, IMS, VSAM), and other utilities.- Collaborate with vendors for problem resolution, licensing, and technical support.- Ensure compatibility and integration of ISV products with the z/OS environment.- System Maintenance and Support:- Perform system IPLs, reconfigurations, and PARMLIB updates.- Manage and maintain critical system datasets (e.g., SYSRES, Page datasets, SMF datasets).- Provide expert-level support for mainframe incidents, including problem determination, diagnosis, and resolution in a timely manner.- Participate in on-call rotation for 24/7 support of critical systems.- Performance Tuning and Optimization:- Analyze system performance data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements.- Tune various z/OS components, WLM (Workload Manager), and ISV products to optimize resource utilization and application performance.- Automation and Scripting:- Develop and maintain REXX, JCL, and other scripts for system automation, monitoring, and administrative tasks.- Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity:- Participate in the planning, testing, and execution of disaster recovery procedures for the mainframe environment.- Ensure high availability and recoverability of critical systems.- Documentation and Best Practices:- Create and maintain comprehensive system documentation, including installation guides, configuration details, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides.- Adhere to ITIL best practices for change management, incident management, and problem management.- Collaboration and Mentorship:- Work closely with application development teams, database administrators, operations staff, and other infrastructure teams.- Mentor junior systems programmers and share knowledge effectively.- Security and Compliance:- Implement and enforce security best practices within the z/OS environment and for ISV products.- Ensure compliance with internal security policies and external regulations.- Required Skills and Experience:- 7-10 years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe Systems Programmer.- In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with z/OS operating system installation, configuration, and maintenance.- Proven experience with major z/OS upgrades (e.g., from one version to another).- Strong proficiency in JCL, TSO/ISPF, SMP/E, JES2/JES3.- Extensive experience with the installation and support of various ISV products from vendors such as Broadcom/CA, BMC, IBM, and Rocket Software. Specific product experience in areas like:- Security: RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret- Performance Monitoring: Omegamon, RMF, SMF- Scheduling: CA-7, TWS/OPC- Storage Management: SMS, DASD management tools (e.g., CA-Disk, FDR/ABR)- Database: DB2, IMS, VSAM- Utilities: DFSORT, Syncsort- Solid understanding of mainframe networking (TCP/IP, VTAM).- Experience with z/OS performance tuning and capacity planning.- Proficiency in REXX or other scripting languages for automation.- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills.- Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.- Strong commitment to quality and attention to detail.- Desired Skills and Experience (Plus Points):- Experience with Parallel Sysplex environments.- Knowledge of z/VM or Linux on Z.- Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives or hybrid cloud environments.- Certifications related to z/OS or specific mainframe technologies.