Mainframe zOS Systems Administrator

Overview

Administer, maintain and optimize enterprise z/OS environments for high availability, stability, security and performance, and act as the highest-level technical escalation point for critical incidents.

What you'll do

• Administer, maintain, and optimize enterprise z/OS environments to ensure high availability, stability, security, and performance.
• Lead z/OS upgrades, migrations, and modernization initiatives, including implementation planning, testing, deployment, and rollback strategies.
• Install, configure, and support IBM and ISV system software, managing the full software lifecycle and SMP/E maintenance activities.
• Monitor system performance, analyze resource utilization, and implement tuning and capacity planning recommendations to support business growth.
• Design and enhance automation solutions using tools such as SA z/OS, OPS/MVS, NetView, and REXX to improve operational efficiency.
• Partner with security teams to strengthen platform security, support compliance initiatives, and implement industry best practices.
• Develop and validate disaster recovery, backup, and resiliency strategies to ensure business continuity.
• Provide expert support for key z/OS infrastructure components, including JES, USS, TCP/IP, WLM, RMF, SDSF, ISPF, and related technologies.
• Serve as the highest level technical escalation point for critical incidents, leading root cause analysis, risk mitigation, and service restoration efforts.
• Drive adoption of modern mainframe practices, including DevOps, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, observability, and AIOps solutions.
• Collaborate with vendors, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to deliver infrastructure projects and strategic platform enhancements.
• Mentor and develop technical talent through coaching, knowledge sharing, documentation, and establishment of operational standards.
• Ensure compliance with governance, audit, risk, and service delivery requirements while continuously improving platform reliability and operational excellence.

What you'll need

• 8+ years of experience in Mainframe z/OS system programming, with extensive hands-on expertise in z/OS installation, configuration, maintenance, and support.
• Skills in applying patches, managing third-party software and ensuring system reliability.
• Hands-on expertise in SYSRES builds, applying PTFs, performing disaster recovery drills and updating license keys.
• Proficiency in product maintenance, upgrades and compatibility checks for z/OS 3.1 and IBM z16 hardware.
• Adept at troubleshooting any system failures, freeze, job abends and performance issues.
• Willingness to provide 24/7 oncall support to resolve any system issues.
• Working knowledge of mainframe GDPS.
• Good understanding of flip and stay disaster recovery model.
• Experience of working on many migration projects as part of mainframe modernization.
• Should provide recommendations on optimizing system performance.

Nice to have

• Experience in z/OS administration.
• Experience in mainframe modernization initiatives.
• Experience of supporting the IBM z16 and IBM z17 mainframe systems.
• Any leadership and mentoring experience will be an added plus.

Details

• Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
• Hybrid-friendly work environment.