Job Title: Mainframe IMS System Programmer

Duration: 6 Months [NO BENEFITS]
Work Locations: Phoenix, AZ | Plano, TX | Charlotte, NC | Richmond, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Pennington, NJ | Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite, 2 Days Work From Home

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe IMS System Programmer to support, maintain, and optimize IBM z/OS IMS environments. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience administering IMS Database (IMS DB) and IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM) subsystems in a mission-critical enterprise environment.

This role focuses on ensuring system stability, availability, performance, and security while supporting system upgrades, maintenance, troubleshooting, disaster recovery, and integration with other mainframe technologies.

Key Responsibilities

1. IMS System Administration

• Install, configure, maintain, and support IMS DB and IMS TM subsystems on IBM z/OS.
• Perform IMS version upgrades, system maintenance, and patching to ensure system stability and currency.
• Manage IMS system definitions, including DBDs, PSBs, ACB libraries, and control regions.
• Configure and maintain IMS system parameters, buffer pools, and system resources.
• Support IMS transaction processing and database operations across enterprise environments.

2. Performance Monitoring & Optimization

• Monitor IMS database and transaction processing performance.
• Analyze system performance metrics and proactively identify bottlenecks.
• Configure and tune buffer pools, system parameters, and resources to improve performance.
• Troubleshoot performance-related issues affecting IMS DB and IMS TM environments.
• Utilize monitoring and performance analysis tools to maintain system efficiency and availability.

3. Troubleshooting & Problem Resolution

• Diagnose and resolve complex IMS system issues by analyzing logs, dumps, abends, and database errors.
• Perform dump analysis, log analysis, and root-cause investigations.
• Resolve system failures, transaction processing issues, and operational errors.
• Support problem management and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.

4. System Maintenance, Backup & Recovery

• Support IMS utilities, database maintenance, backup, and recovery operations.
• Develop and maintain recovery procedures to support business continuity.
• Participate in disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution.
• Ensure IMS environments meet established availability and recovery requirements.

5. Mainframe Integration & Infrastructure Support

• Ensure seamless integration of IMS environments with IBM z/OS, DB2, MQ, CICS, TCP/IP, and Sysplex environments.
• Support high-availability architectures and Sysplex configurations.
• Maintain system configurations and ensure compatibility across integrated mainframe components.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, database, application development, and operations teams to resolve technical issues.

6. Change Management & Documentation

• Follow established ITIL-based change management processes for system updates and maintenance activities.
• Use ServiceNow or equivalent change management tools to document and track system changes.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, configuration records, and operational procedures.
• Ensure system changes follow applicable enterprise security and operational standards.

7. Modernization & Automation

• Support IMS modernization initiatives and API enablement where applicable.
• Assist with REST integration and z/OS Connect implementations.
• Identify opportunities to automate system administration and operational processes.
• Support automation using REXX, Ansible, z/OSMF workflows, and other relevant tools.
• Maintain and support IMS routines and exit routines.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience working with IBM z/OS operating systems.
• Hands-on experience administering and supporting IMS DB and IMS TM environments.
• Strong knowledge of IMS system definitions, including DBDs, PSBs, and ACB management.
• Experience managing IMS control regions and transaction processing.
• Expertise in buffer pool tuning, performance monitoring, and system optimization.
• Experience with IMS utilities, backup and recovery operations, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, including dump analysis, log analysis, and abend resolution.
• Experience integrating IMS with DB2, CICS, MQ, and distributed systems.
• Familiarity with RACF security controls in IMS environments.
• Hands-on experience with SMP/E, JCL, TSO/ISPF, and SDSF.
• Understanding of Sysplex environments and high-availability architectures.
• Experience supporting system maintenance, upgrades, patching, and configuration management.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to IMS modernization and API enablement initiatives, including z/OS Connect and REST integration.
• Experience with monitoring and performance tools such as OMEGAMON, MainView, and RMF.
• Knowledge of automation tools and technologies, including REXX, Ansible, and z/OSMF workflows.
• Experience with DB control, TCP/IP, z/OS Connect, and Assembler routines.
• Hands-on experience developing, maintaining, or troubleshooting IMS routines and exit routines.
• Familiarity with ITIL-based change management processes and ServiceNow.
• Experience supporting high-availability mainframe environments in large enterprise organizations.

Key Technical Skills

• IBM z/OS
• IMS System Programming
• IMS DB & IMS TM
• DBD, PSB & ACB Management
• IMS Control Regions
• Buffer Pool Tuning
• IMS Performance Optimization
• IMS Utilities
• Backup & Recovery
• Disaster Recovery
• Dump & Log Analysis
• Abend Resolution
• SMP/E
• JCL, TSO/ISPF & SDSF
• RACF Security
• Sysplex & High Availability
• DB2, CICS & MQ
• TCP/IP
• z/OS Connect & REST Integration
• REXX, Ansible & z/OSMF
• Assembler Routines
• IMS Routines & Exit Routines
• OMEGAMON, MainView & RMF
• ITIL & ServiceNow Change Management