Senior Principal Systems Software Engineer – IBM Z / z/OS

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Systems Software Engineer with deep expertise in IBM Z / z/OS environments. This individual will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, configuration, performance tuning, troubleshooting, and modernization of enterprise mainframe environments.

The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience supporting z/OS, z/Linux, z/VM, Sysplex, CICS, DB2, IBM MQ, RACF, storage, networking, and IBM Z hardware, along with strong problem-solving and systems engineering skills.

This is a senior-level, highly technical role for someone who can operate independently, lead complex infrastructure initiatives, troubleshoot critical system issues, and work across infrastructure and application teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, upgrade, and support IBM z/OS, z/Linux, and z/VM environments

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of z/OS and third-party ISV software

• Perform software installation, upgrades, and maintenance using SMP/E

• Support multi-LPAR Sysplex environments

• Install software releases and build maintenance workflows using z/OSMF

• Configure, customize, and tune key IBM Z subsystems including:

  • CICS

  • IBM MQ

  • DB2

  • IMS

• Manage and maintain RACF security, including:

  • SSL/TLS

  • Certificates

  • IBM Policy Agent

  • IBM GSK

• Configure and support HMC and HCD, including IPL profiles, hardware definitions, and system/device generations

• Support IBM Z hardware upgrades and installations

• Install, configure, and manage DASD, SAN, IBM storage, and related enterprise storage platforms

• Support IBM z/Systems networking and related network infrastructure

• Perform advanced system troubleshooting and root-cause analysis using tools such as:

  • IPCS

  • SLIP

  • EREP

  • GTF

  • XDC

• Analyze system dumps, SVC dumps, and diagnostic data

• Tune systems and subsystems to improve performance, stability, availability, and SLA adherence

• Troubleshoot complex system and application failures

• Develop and maintain system exits and utilities using REXX

• Perform basic Assembler analysis for system diagnostics

• Work with IBM Support / ShopZ to order software, research issues, and manage problem tickets

• Develop execution plans, test plans, and system testing specifications

• Partner with infrastructure, application, engineering, and remote teams

• Communicate technical issues, risks, schedules, and status clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Provide technical leadership and guidance across IBM Z infrastructure initiatives

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of hands-on IBM z/OS systems programming or systems engineering experience

• Strong experience with:

  • IBM z/OS

  • z/Linux

  • z/VM

  • SMP/E

  • Sysplex

  • Multi-LPAR environments

• Strong experience installing, upgrading, maintaining, and supporting IBM Z software

• Hands-on expertise with RACF

• Strong knowledge of SSL/TLS, certificates, IBM Policy Agent, and IBM GSK

• Experience with HMC and HCD

• Strong knowledge of DASD, SAN, and enterprise storage environments

• Experience supporting IBM Z networking environments

• Strong understanding of:

  • CICS

  • IBM MQ

  • DB2

• Advanced troubleshooting experience using tools such as IPCS, SLIP, EREP, GTF, or XDC

• Experience analyzing system dumps and diagnostic data

• Working knowledge of REXX

• Basic Assembler experience

• Experience working with IBM Support and ShopZ

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and documentation skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IBM zPDT

• Experience with BMC AMI Cloud or Model9

• Experience with IBM Power Systems

• Experience with AIX administration

• Experience with VAST Storage

• Experience with IBM and Brocade/Broadcom SAN infrastructure

• Experience managing IBM mainframe hardware upgrades and replacements

• Deep knowledge of IBM storage technologies across mainframe and open systems

• Experience modernizing mainframe environments through automation and integration with open-source technologies

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior IBM Z technologist who has spent much of their career working hands-on in complex enterprise mainframe environments. This person should be equally comfortable performing software upgrades, troubleshooting production issues, tuning subsystems, working with security and storage teams, and supporting IBM Z hardware and infrastructure.

This is not an application development or COBOL-focused role. The emphasis is on IBM Z infrastructure, z/OS systems programming, platform engineering, performance, security, storage, and systems reliability.