Mainframe DB2 Systems Programmer

# Mainframe DB2 Systems Programmer

**Client:** Kyndryl / Bank of America
**Position Type:** Hybrid
**Locations:** Charlotte, NC | Plano, TX | Phoenix, AZ
**Experience:** 12+ Years
**Primary Focus:** DB2 for z/OS Systems Programming / Administration

## Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled **Mainframe DB2 Systems Programmer / Administrator** to support and manage **DB2 for z/OS subsystems** in a mission-critical enterprise banking environment.

The selected candidate will be responsible for DB2 installation, configuration, upgrades, maintenance, performance tuning, troubleshooting, high availability, disaster recovery, and overall subsystem health. The ideal candidate should have strong hands-on experience with **DB2 for z/OS Systems Programming**, including **ZPARMs, buffer pools, logs, BSDS, Catalog/Directory, Data Sharing, SMP/E, and DB2 replication technologies**.

### Location & Work Arrangement

* **Hybrid position**
* Candidates may work from:

* Charlotte, NC
* Plano, TX
* Phoenix, AZ
* **Phoenix candidates:** Must currently live in or around the Phoenix, AZ area and be able to work **onsite 3 days per week**.
* Candidates willing to **relocate to Phoenix, AZ** will also be considered.

## Key Responsibilities

### DB2 Installation & Configuration

* Install, configure, maintain, and support **IBM DB2 for z/OS** subsystems.
* Perform DB2 version upgrades, patching, PTF/APAR implementation, and system maintenance.
* Manage DB2 subsystem configuration and initialization parameters.
* Administer and maintain:

* ZPARMs / DSNZPARM
* Buffer Pools
* DB2 Logs
* BSDS
* DB2 Catalog and Directory
* Support DB2 software installation, certification testing, operational documentation, and production implementation.

### Performance & Capacity Management

* Monitor and tune DB2 system-level performance across CPU, memory, and I/O.
* Analyze and optimize:

* Buffer pool performance
* Locking and concurrency
* Threads and connections
* SQL/system performance
* Perform capacity planning and performance analysis using DB2 and z/OS tools.
* Identify performance bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.

### High Availability & Data Sharing

* Support and administer **DB2 Data Sharing environments** within a Parallel Sysplex.
* Support **Coupling Facility** integration and related DB2 configurations.
* Support workload balancing, failover, and high-availability strategies.
* Participate in **Disaster Recovery (DR) planning and testing**.
* Ensure DB2 subsystems meet enterprise availability and resiliency requirements.

### DB2 Replication

Hands-on experience with IBM DB2 replication technologies, including:

* **Q Replication (QRep)**
* **SQL Replication (SQLRep)**
* **IBM Change Data Capture (CDC)**

Responsibilities include installation, configuration, version upgrades, maintenance, certification testing, operational documentation, and disaster recovery testing.

### Troubleshooting & System Maintenance

* Diagnose and resolve DB2 subsystem failures and system-level issues.
* Analyze dumps, logs, abends, and DB2 diagnostic information.
* Troubleshoot DB2 connectivity and integration issues.
* Perform root-cause analysis and implement preventive/corrective actions.
* Support DB2 interactions with:

* JCL / Batch
* CICS
* IMS
* MQ
* Distributed systems

## Required Qualifications

* **7–12+ years of overall Mainframe experience.**
* **3–5+ years of hands-on DB2 Systems Programming / Administration experience.**
* Strong hands-on experience with **IBM DB2 for z/OS**.
* Experience with **DB2 replication products**, including QRep, SQLRep, and CDC.
* Experience with DB2 software installation, upgrades, maintenance, certification testing, operational procedures, and DR testing.
* Strong knowledge of:

* ZPARMs / DSNZPARM
* DB2 subsystem configuration
* Buffer Pools
* DB2 Logs
* BSDS
* DB2 Catalog and Directory
* Strong troubleshooting skills involving DB2 system-level, performance, and connectivity issues.
* Proficiency with:

* JCL
* TSO/ISPF
* SDSF
* Working knowledge of **SMP/E** is preferred.

## Preferred Qualifications

Experience or working knowledge of the following is highly desirable:

* DB2 utilities and performance tools.
* **OMEGAMON** and/or **BMC MainView**.
* Mainframe DevOps tools such as:

* Endevor
* ISPW
* Large-scale DB2 upgrades, migrations, and modernization initiatives.
* DB2 performance optimization initiatives.
* Cloud integration / hybrid mainframe architectures.
* **z/OS Connect** and API-based modernization.
* BMC DB2 Tools.
* IBM z/OS Connect.
* Software AG **ADABAS / Natural** products.
* **REXX** programming/scripting.
* SQL.
* JIRA.
* RACF.
* TCP/IP.
* Network certificates / certificate management.
* Splunk.
* Other Mainframe subsystems including **CICS, IMS, and MQ**.

## Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a **DB2 for z/OS Systems Programmer** rather than a purely application-focused DB2 developer. Candidates should demonstrate strong hands-on experience managing the **DB2 subsystem and underlying z/OS environment**, including installation, configuration, maintenance, performance tuning, troubleshooting, Data Sharing, replication, upgrades, and DR.

**Priority Skills:**
`DB2 for z/OS` | `DB2 Systems Programming` | `ZPARM` | `Buffer Pools` | `BSDS` | `DB2 Logs` | `Catalog/Directory` | `Data Sharing` | `Parallel Sysplex` | `QRep` | `SQLRep` | `CDC` | `SMP/E` | `JCL` | `TSO/ISPF` | `SDSF`

## Vendor Submission Requirements

Please submit candidates who closely match the required technical experience and provide the following information with each profile:

* Candidate Full Name
* Current Location
* Preferred Work Location: Charlotte / Plano / Phoenix
* Willingness to Relocate, if applicable
* Total Mainframe Experience
* Total DB2 Systems Programming Experience
* DB2 for z/OS Experience
* QRep / SQLRep / CDC Experience
* Data Sharing / Parallel Sysplex Experience
* SMP/E Experience
* ZPARM / Buffer Pool / BSDS Experience
* DB2 Upgrade / Migration Experience
* DR / High Availability Experience
* Relevant Certifications, if any
* Availability / Notice Period
* Contact Information
* Resume

**Please prioritize candidates with strong hands-on DB2 for z/OS Systems Programming experience and experience supporting large-scale, mission-critical enterprise environments.**