IBM Mainframe System Programmer

Job description:

Our Client is looking for a systems programmer

The Systems Programmer is responsible for the day-to-day support of the corporate IBM i environments and contributes to the environments overall technical architecture, stability, resiliency, and general health. The Systems Programmer works on multiple products, activities and projects. The Systems Programmer works independently on complex tasks, projects, activities and support assignments that require skills in multiple technical environments. The Systems Programmer provides support of IBM i operating systems and related system utilities, installs/customizes/maintains large systems software products, performs problem diagnosis and resolution activities, executes performance analysis tuning and capacity planning for IBM i on Power servers. The Systems Programmer is also responsible for hardware systems & peripherals, IBM i based ISV (Independent Software Vendor) software, and the systems network communications.

Professional skills should include good communications skills, and experience working directly with the user community and vendor technical support personnel. The Systems Programmer is required to be on call 24x7 for providing problem resolution and high systems availability.
Key Responsibilities:

• • System Software Support:
  • Responsible for the analysis, development, modification, installation, testing and maintenance of operating system software.
  • Utilizes an understanding of systems programming technologies, procedures, control languages and standards to implement an infrastructure that supports business applications.
  • Testing and maintenance responsibilities may be performed outside of normal working hours.
  • Problem Resolution:
  • Diagnoses, isolates and resolves operating system and utility software problems.
  • Interacts with developers and system software providers to research problems and recommend corrective action.
  • Primary support responsibilities include multiple major subsystems, products and interfaces.
  • Support may require immediate response at any time on any day of the week.
  • Documentation:
  • Prepares technical documentation for system software products including usage instructions, configuration notes, test plans and details of customizations necessary for our environment.
  • Plans and executes disaster recovery procedures to ensure system recoverability.
  • Performance and Capacity Planning:
  • Monitors capacity and performance of assigned systems and software products.
  • Uses technical knowledge and skills to identify system performance issues and prepares recommendations to management for resolution.
  • Project Management:
  • Utilizes appropriate project tracking methodologies to participate in multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Documents complex project phases, and provides regular status updates.
  • Perform other standard system programmer and administration responsibilities including:
  • Planning hardware and software system upgrades and changes in configuration
  • Training system operators and application programmers
  • Automating operations
  • Capacity planning
  • Workload management
  • Running installation jobs and scripts
  • Performing installation-specific customization tasks
  • Support integration-testing the new products with existing applications and user procedures in conjunction with application teams and the user community
  • System-wide performance tuning to meet required levels of service
  • System performance and utilization monitoring and escalation
  • Installation and maintenance of the middleware, such as database management systems, online transaction processing systems
  • Executing various tasks required to support critical system and ISV software
  • Managing storage devices and printers
  • Managing networks and connectivity
  • Monitoring system performance
  • Support in providing regular KPI's

• • Responding to and resolving service outages and interruptions.
  • Working with management, coordinates service calls and schedules appointments with software vendor and consultants to ensure satisfactory resolution of problems and malfunctions.
  • Communicate accurate and useful status reports to management on a timely basis.
  • Anticipate issues and proactively resolve them.
  • Identify and initiate continuous improvements.
  • Instill commitment to quality, customer service, ownership, and teamwork.
  • Build strong customer relationships. Promote internal/external customer service among organization.
  • Maintain awareness of new technological developments in industry and processes - implement concepts appropriately.
  • Key contributor in the research, planning and implementation of projects in accordance with and support of business needs goals and objectives.
  • Work with ticket queue to track support issues.
  • Assist team members to solve problems, make innovative improvements and make decisions.
  • Make decisions that reflect the best interest of the company.
  • Be willing and available to travel as required.
  • Be willing and available for 24x7 support.
  • Other duties as assigned.

• • Contributes to results of complex function(s) or project(s) with considerable ambiguity, risk, unpredictability, and diversity.
  • Participates in critical escalated problem solving.
  • Participates and assists with medium to high impact projects and/or initiatives.
  • Makes decisions that impact support responsibilities that could affect large groups and/or key business area.
  • Accountability for ensuring servers are operational as needed by the customer.
  • Ensures delivery to service level agreements and contractual obligations.
  • Define, capture, and report key performance indicators and project milestones.
  • Interacts with customers to build key relationships.
  • Works with management to negotiate vendor and customer business relationships.
  • Works as a team player in efforts to identify new technologies and capabilities needed to improve operational or business performance to the next level.
  • Optimizes resource utilization to deliver solutions.
  • Plays key role on strategically important projects/processes in field of expertise.

• • Knowledge and experience with the following:
  • Operating Systems installation experience in an IBM i environment - experience with IBM i on VIOS is a plus
  • P Series Hardware configuration knowledge
  • Experience supporting IBM i including disk storage and virtual tape subsystems
  • Experience maintaining and testing disaster recovery plans for the IBM i environment
  • Third party (non-IBM) vendor package installation and support experience a plus
  • Strong problem-solving skills are required to isolate failures, identify remediation steps, develop test plans and verification protocols. A fundamental knowledge of the application programming process is needed to assist developers with troubleshooting and performance issues.
  • Strong communications skills are required in order to interact effectively with other team members, customers, management and vendor support personnel. Tailors the detail and formality of communications appropriately for the intended audience.
  • The ability and willingness to perform on call duties and after hour system support. The nature of the work requires the ability to work outside of standard working hours when required. Systems support responsibilities include the ability to respond for on-call systems at any time of the day and any day of the week.
  • Experience working with vendors and technical experts outside of normal business hours with minimal supervision
  • Accurate work and very careful attention to detail is required to avoid system outages.
  • Able to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines, communicate progress on a timely basis and respond to changing priorities when required.
  • Able to work independently, follow industry standards / best practices and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.