Senior Mainframe Network Systems Engineer

To Apply for this Job

ob Description

Job Title:

Senior Mainframe Network Systems Engineer

Location:

Remote

About the Role:

Heitmeyer is seeking a seasoned Senior Mainframe Network Systems Engineer to design, maintain, and optimize mission?critical mainframe networking for a financial services client. This role is responsible for high availability, security, performance, and resiliency of IBM z/OS environments and the network services that connect them to distributed, cloud, and external partners. This role is hands‑on and collaborative—working closely with infrastructure, application, security, and operations teams to ensure reliable transaction processing and batch workloads at scale.

• Diagnosis and solve for latency issues on the Mainframe
• Diagnoses issues with transmission coming in and going out of the mainframe using SSL TLS and Tracing.
• Mainframe Networking & Connectivity
  • Architect, configure, and support z/OS TCP/IP, SNA, VTAM, TN3270, and Enterprise Extender (EE) services.
  • Manage IP routing, OMPROUTE/Policy-Based Routing, and network stacks across LPARs.
  • Integrate mainframe networking with enterprise load balancers, firewalls, and DNS/DHCP/IPAM.
• Systems Integration & Middleware
  • Support and optimize IBM MQ, CICS transaction servers, and DB2 connectivity (DDF, DRDA).
  • Ensure secure, high‑throughput data exchange between mainframe and distributed/cloud platforms (APIs, MQ queues, FTP/SFTP, Connect:
    
    Direct).
• Performance, Capacity, and Reliability
  • Monitor and tune network stacks, sockets, buffer pools, and Hiper Sockets; analyze OMEGAMON/Net View data for bottlenecks.
  • Lead capacity planning and performance engineering for peak cycles, batch windows, and online transaction processing.
• Security & Compliance
  • Implement and enforce security controls (TLS/AT?
    
    TLS, IPSEC, RACF/ACF2/Top Secret, firewall rules).
  • Partner with Info Sec and Audit to meet regulatory and policy requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, FFIEC, SOX).
• High Availability & Disaster Recovery
  • Design and test HA/DR architectures (Parallel Sysplex, GDPS, XCF, multi?site networking, data replication).
  • Coordinate failover exercises; document runbooks and recovery procedures.
• Incident Response & Root Cause Analysis
  • Own complex troubleshooting across layers (network, OS, middleware, application).
  • Lead post?incident reviews; implement durable fixes and preventive monitoring.
• Automation & Observability
  • Develop scripts and automation for configuration management, monitoring, and reporting (REXX, JCL, CLIST, Ansible/Z, or equivalent).
  • Create dashboards and alerts for key network and transaction health indicators.
• Project Leadership
  • Serve as technical lead for infrastructure upgrades, core application releases, and environment migrations.
  • Coordinate with application owners, vendors, and PMO; deliver clear technical documentation and status updates.

• 10+ years of experience in mainframe systems/network engineering within large enterprises.
• Deep expertise with IBM z/OS networking (TCP/IP, SNA/VTAM), CICS, DB2, and IBM MQ integration.
• Strong knowledge of LPARs, Sysplex, JES2/JES3, and z/OS operating internals.
• Hands‑on experience with network security on z/OS (AT?
  
  TLS, IPSEC, RACF/ACF2/Top Secret).
• Proven track record in performance tuning, capacity planning, and HA/DR for mission‑critical environments.
• Proficiency with monitoring tools (e.g., OMEGAMON, Net View, SDSF, RMF) and packet/trace analysis (IPCS, PKTTRACE).
• Scripting and automation: REXX, JCL, CLIST (Python/Ansible a plus).
• Excellent communication skills; able to explain complex issues to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• Experience in financial services/banking and high‑volume transaction processing.
• Familiarity with z/OS Communications Server, Enterprise Extender, Hiper Sockets, and OSA?
  
  Express.
• Knowledge of API integration patterns and secure partner connectivity.
• Exposure to cloud connectivity (private links, gateways) integrating with mainframe data/services.
• Certifications:
  
  IBM z/OS, ITIL, Security, PMP or equivalent.