Senior System Engineer (z/OS, RACF, z/VM, z/Linux)

Location: Remote
Duration: 6 Months, Contract
Pay: $70+ per hour 

JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Retail client with over $80B in annual revenue has over 2,000 stores, across 21 US states, with over 400,000 employees. This company is a leader in sustainable retailing with a passion for delivering excellence. By driving omni channel growth, efficiency in the shopping experience and continuing to develop with new technologies; this company is growing and developing continuing success. The leadership team strives for work-life balance for all its employees, with options for overtime if desired.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the design, configuration, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of z/OS, JES2, RACF, z/VM, zLinux and related systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business requirements, provide technical leadership, and drive initiatives to enhance the performance, reliability, and security of our mainframe environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, configure, and maintain mainframe operating systems, including IBM z/OS, JES2, z/VM, and zLinux, to meet business needs and performance objectives.
• Implement and maintain mainframe security measures, including RACF (Resource Access Control Facility), access controls, encryption, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Optimize mainframe operating system performance, capacity, and resource utilization through proactive monitoring, tuning, and capacity planning.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex mainframe operating system issues, collaborating with internal teams and vendors to ensure timely resolution.
• Plan and execute mainframe operating system upgrades, maintenance, and migrations, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
• Develop and maintain documentation, including system configurations, procedures, and best practices, to facilitate knowledge sharing and compliance with organizational standards.
• Lead mainframe operating system-related projects, such as system enhancements, automation initiatives, and disaster recovery planning, from conception to implementation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior system and software engineers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the IT organization.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, trends, and best practices in mainframe operating systems and Linux distributions, recommending and implementing relevant updates and improvements.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in designing, implementing, and supporting mainframe operating systems, including IBM z/OS, z/VM, and zLinux.
• Strong knowledge of mainframe security concepts and tools, including RACF (Resource Access Control Facility) and access controls.
• Experience with managed service providers, offshore support teams, RACF passphrase implementation, and data center relocation are a plus.
• Proficiency in mainframe performance monitoring, tuning, and optimization using tools like SMF, RMF, Omegamon, SysView, and Workload Manager (WLM).
• Experience with Linux operating system administration, particularly on IBM Systems z architecture (zLinux).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze and troubleshoot complex mainframe operating system issues.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven leadership abilities, including experience leading technical projects and mentoring team members.
• Relevant certifications, such as IBM Certified System Programmer or IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert, are a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
• Willingness to stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Availability of occasional off-hours support as needed.