Mainframe z/OS Subject Matter Expert (SME)

We are looking for an experienced Mainframe z/OS Subject Matter Expert (SME) with strong expertise in IBM z/OS system programming and mainframe infrastructure. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and subject-matter expertise across z/OS environments, including system installation, configuration, performance optimization, capacity planning, automation, disaster recovery, migrations, and upgrades.

The role requires strong hands-on experience with core z/OS technologies and the ability to troubleshoot complex system-level issues, drive infrastructure improvements, and work effectively with global technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

z/OS System Programming

• Provide expert-level technical support for IBM z/OS environments.
• Perform z/OS system installation, configuration, maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Manage and support system software, subsystems, and related mainframe infrastructure.
• Analyze complex system issues and provide root-cause analysis and permanent solutions.
• Ensure system availability, stability, performance, and reliability.

SMP/E & System Software Management

• Manage software installation, maintenance, upgrades, and fixes using SMP/E.
• Plan and execute system software upgrades and maintenance activities.
• Review maintenance requirements, dependencies, and system impacts.
• Troubleshoot SMP/E-related issues and ensure proper software lifecycle management.

JES & Job Management

• Provide administration and support for JES2/JES3 environments.
• Configure and manage job classes, initiators, output processing, and related JES parameters.
• Troubleshoot job processing, scheduling, spool, and system-related issues.
• Optimize JES environments to support operational and business requirements.

Security & Access Management

• Work with RACF for mainframe security, access control, authentication, and authorization.
• Support security policy implementation and access reviews.
• Troubleshoot RACF-related issues while maintaining compliance with organizational security standards.
• Collaborate with security teams on mainframe security initiatives and controls.

System Performance & Capacity Planning

• Monitor and analyze z/OS system performance and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Perform performance tuning and optimization across system resources and workloads.
• Conduct capacity planning based on current utilization, business growth, and future requirements.
• Analyze performance trends and recommend infrastructure improvements.
• Support performance-related incident investigation and root-cause analysis.

Networking & USS

• Provide technical support for TCP/IP connectivity and mainframe networking.
• Troubleshoot network-related issues impacting z/OS applications and services.
• Support USS (UNIX System Services) environments and related system-level requirements.
• Work with network and infrastructure teams to resolve complex connectivity issues.

WLM & System Configuration

• Configure, monitor, and optimize Workload Manager (WLM) policies.
• Analyze workload performance and ensure appropriate resource allocation.
• Work with HCD (Hardware Configuration Definition) for system and hardware configuration management.
• Support hardware and system configuration changes in coordination with relevant infrastructure teams.

Automation & Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive mainframe administration and operational activities.
• Implement automation solutions to improve efficiency, reliability, and reduce manual intervention.
• Contribute to standardization and continuous improvement of z/OS operational processes.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and operational runbooks.

Disaster Recovery, Migration & Upgrades

• Support and participate in disaster recovery planning, testing, and implementation for mainframe environments.
• Contribute to business continuity and system resilience initiatives.
• Plan and execute mainframe migrations, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
• Assess technical dependencies, risks, and impacts associated with infrastructure changes.
• Coordinate with cross-functional and global teams during major system changes and migration activities.

Required Technical Skills

Strong hands-on expertise in the following areas is required:

• IBM z/OS System Programming
• SMP/E
• JES2 / JES3
• TSO / ISPF
• RACF
• WLM
• HCD
• TCP/IP
• USS (UNIX System Services)
• z/OS Performance Tuning
• Capacity Planning
• Mainframe Automation
• Disaster Recovery
• Mainframe Migrations & Upgrades

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant experience in Mainframe z/OS system programming and administration.
• Strong hands-on experience in enterprise IBM Mainframe / z/OS environments.
• Proven experience managing and troubleshooting complex z/OS infrastructure.
• Experience with z/OS system upgrades, maintenance, migrations, and infrastructure changes.
• Strong understanding of mainframe performance, capacity, availability, and system reliability.
• Experience working with globally distributed technical and infrastructure teams.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.

Client: Kyndryl
Working Hours : US Eastern Time zones