Architectural Services, Automation, Cobol Programming Language, Communication Skills, Cost Control, Data Recovery, Database Administration, IBM CICS (Customer Information Control System), IBM DB2, IBM IMS Database, IBM Sysplex, IBM z-OS Operating System, IMS DB/DC, ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library), JCL (Job Control Language), Leadership, Mainframe Computer, Mainframe Operating System, Maintain Compliance, Operational Audit, Operations, Operations Management, Outsourcing, Performance Management, RACF (Resource Access Control Facility), Risk Analysis, Service Level Agreement (SLA), Technical Leadership, Vendor/Supplier Selection
Job Title
Mainframe z/OS Technical Lead / L3 Engineer
Job Description
We are seeking a senior Mainframe Z/OS Technical Lead to act as the client-side SME overseeing outsourced mainframe services and guiding a small internal team.
Responsibilities:
• Provide technical oversight of vendor-managed mainframe operations
• Review daily operations, incidents, RCA, changes, and releases
• Validate vendor recommendations and ensure adherence to SLAs and ITIL processes
• Act as escalation point for complex mainframe issues
• Provide expert guidance on z/OS, Sysplex, WLM, JES, and RACF
• Oversee IMS (DB/DC), DB2 for z/OS, and CICS environments
• Review system performance, capacity, availability, and stability
• Recommend improvements for performance, automation, and cost optimization
• Identify risks, technical debt, and modernization opportunities
• Review DR, BCP, backup, and recovery strategies
• Provide architectural input for upgrades and future-state planning
• Communicate technical insights clearly to leadership and stakeholders
Required Skills:
• 10+ years of strong hands-on mainframe experience
• Expert knowledge of z/OS, IMS, DB2, CICS
• Strong understanding of JCL, COBOL, and batch processing
• Experience with vendor-managed or outsourced environments
• Ability to influence, challenge, and guide vendors constructively
Preferred:
• Mainframe modernization or optimization experience
• ITIL process exposure