Operates, administers, programs, or migrates data on IBM Z/OS mainframe systems and adjacent legacy technologies (CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS). Covers the full spectrum from production job operations to senior systems programming/DBA work to legacy data conversion for modernization projects. This talent pool is shrinking industry-wide — treat as a standing sourcing priority, not a reactive one.
Start, stop, and monitor mainframe system tasks and subsystems (transaction processing, database systems, OS)
Perform orderly shutdown/startup ('restart operations') of production workloads
Plan, install, configure, and upgrade Z/OS systems and core system software products
Administer and tune hierarchical (IMS), relational (DB2), and file-based (ADABAS) databases
Develop, debug, and maintain mainframe application code (COBOL, NATURAL, Assembler, REXX)
Support data mapping, crosswalk analysis, and validation during legacy-to-modern data conversion
Manage production job scheduling and troubleshooting (Control-M, JCL, Endevor)
Maintain detailed documentation and ticketing records for audits and knowledge continuity
Facilitate knowledge transfer/training to build succession depth on an aging skill set
RequirementsSkills Required
Z/OS, CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS, ACF2, ENTIREX, SMP/E
COBOL, NATURAL/SuperNatural, Assembler, REXX
JCL, Control-M, CA Spool, TSO/ISPF, Endevor
VTAM, TCP/IP, NetView, Tivoli
Data conversion/ETL between legacy and relational/modern platforms
Ticketing and production-control tooling (Cherwell or similar)
5–7 years of experience in mainframe operations, systems programming, or application programming (role-dependent)
For senior/lead roles: 3–5 years in a lead capacity
2–3 years working with legacy and relational data technologies (DB2, FOCUS, Oracle, SQL Server) for conversion-focused roles
1–2 years of automation of system monitoring/maintenance procedures for operator-tier roles
Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field or equivalent mainframe-operations experience
Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis
Skills Required
- Experience in mainframe operations, systems programming, or application programming: 5–7 years
- Lead-capacity experience: 3–5 years for senior or lead roles
- Experience with legacy and relational data technologies, including DB2, FOCUS, Oracle, or SQL Server: 2–3 years for conversion-focused roles
- Experience automating system monitoring and maintenance procedures: 1–2 years for operator-tier roles
- Proficiency with z/OS, CICS, IMS, DB2, ADABAS, ACF2, ENTIREX, and SMP/E
- Proficiency with COBOL, NATURAL or SuperNatural, Assembler, and REXX
- Proficiency with JCL, Control-M, CA Spool, TSO/ISPF, and Endevor
- Knowledge of VTAM, TCP/IP, NetView, and Tivoli
- Experience with legacy-to-relational or modern data conversion and ETL
- Experience with ticketing and production-control tools such as Cherwell or similar
- Bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field or equivalent mainframe-operations experience
- Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis
What We Do
Advancio, Inc. is a technology company that serves businesses and focuses on using technology to help transform the world. Its recruiting materials describe a rapidly expanding organization that serves exceptional businesses and hires top talent. The company’s work includes designing, implementing, and managing scalable cloud infrastructure and DevOps processes across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, supported by CI/CD pipelines and automation tools.
