Technology System Specialist III

Job Title: IBM Mainframe Systems Engineer / Technology System Specialist III
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
Pay rate=$53/57h
Duration: Contract through 12/31/2026 with potential extension
Start Date: 06/15/2026
Department: Middleware & Enterprise Integration
Category: Information Technology

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced IBM Mainframe Systems Engineer to support modernization and engineering initiatives within a large-scale enterprise IBM Z environment. This is an engineering-focused role requiring deep, hands-on expertise across the full mainframe stack, with a strong emphasis on system performance, technical architecture, and platform modernization.

The ideal candidate will play a key role in ensuring stability, performance, and compatibility across evolving mainframe environments while supporting critical, highly regulated systems.

Key Responsibilities

z/OS Platform Modernization & Upgrade Engineering

• Lead engineering efforts across multiple concurrent z/OS versions, including interoperability and upgrade paths
• Perform pre-upgrade assessments, dependency validation, and post-upgrade stabilization and tuning
• Ensure system readiness for modernization initiatives

Full-Stack Mainframe Engineering

• Provide deep system-level expertise across the IBM Z ecosystem, including:
  • DB2 for z/OS (configuration, performance, version interactions)
  • CICS TS (workload tuning, system behavior, TLS enablement)
  • IMS DB/DC (platform interaction and tuning)
  • IBM MQ for z/OS (queue manager architecture, performance tuning, TLS channels)
• Analyze dependencies across subsystems and distributed platforms
• Support enterprise schedulers (e.g., Control-M, CA-7) and ISV tools

Infrastructure Engineering (Storage, Networking & Virtualization)

• Analyze mainframe storage architecture, layout, and recovery considerations
• Provide insight into networking environments including SNA, VTAM, and TCP/IP
• Design solutions within z/VM and virtualized environments
• Identify infrastructure constraints impacting performance and modernization

Security Engineering

• Support RACF and ACF2 security configurations, access controls, and compliance requirements
• Ensure adherence to enterprise security policies and regulatory standards
• Implement best practices for encryption and data protection

Performance, Monitoring & Capacity Planning

• Utilize SMF, RMF, and system metrics to analyze performance and identify bottlenecks
• Support capacity planning and long-term system forecasting
• Recommend tuning strategies for optimal performance, cost efficiency, and scalability

Automation & Operational Efficiency

• Identify and implement automation opportunities using JCL, REXX, CLIST, and TSO/ISPF
• Reduce manual effort through standardization and self-healing processes

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with application teams, middleware teams, security, risk, and external vendors
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on mainframe engineering initiatives

Required Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of hands-on IBM Mainframe experience in large enterprise environments
• Strong expertise with:
  • z/OS (multiple versions and upgrades)
  • z/VM
  • RACF and/or ACF2
  • DB2 for z/OS, CICS, IMS, MQ
  • Mainframe storage, networking (including SNA), and TLS encryption
• Experience with SMF, performance monitoring, and capacity management
• Advanced skills in JCL, REXX/CLIST, and TSO/ISPF
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and documentation skills
• Experience working in regulated environments (financial services, insurance, or government preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives and hybrid integrations
• Familiarity with CDC, ETL tools, and distributed system integrations
• Exposure to enterprise schedulers and middleware ecosystems

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience

Additional Information

• Hybrid work model preferred in Chicago, IL
• Open to remote candidates based on experience and fit
• Extension beyond initial contract is possible