USA remote
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - ISV
About this role
We are seeking an experienced ISV z/OS Systems Programmer with strong expertise in the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and migration of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) products on the IBM z/OS platform. This role will focus heavily on evaluating, replacing, and migrating software on a mainframe environment with alternative solutions while maintaining operational stability and performance. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical knowledge of mainframe systems programming, SMP/E software management, IBM utilities, and ISV product lifecycle management , along with experience performing product migrations and conversions between competing vendor tools.
Key Responsibilities Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade third-party ISV software products in a z/OS environment. Lead initiatives to replace mainframe products with alternative vendor solutions. Perform product evaluations, proof-of-concepts, and technical comparisons of replacement tools. Plan and execute product migration and conversion activities , including configuration changes, data conversions, and operational cutovers.
Maintain and manage software using SMP/E , including RECEIVE, APPLY, ACCEPT, USERMODs, and maintenance management. Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to ISV software installations, integrations, and runtime problems . Work with application teams, operations, and vendors to diagnose system or product issues. Develop and maintain installation documentation, procedures, and migration runbooks . Assist in capacity planning, performance tuning, and operational support for ISV tools.
Support incident resolution and participate in root cause analysis for production issues involving ISV software. Evaluate compatibility and impact of new z/OS releases on installed ISV products. Required Skills and Experience Extensive experience as a z/OS Systems Programmer supporting enterprise mainframe environments. Strong background in installation and maintenance of ISV mainframe software products . Hands-on experience with SMP/E software installation and maintenance processes .
Experience performing product migrations or conversions between competing vendor tools . Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills across the z/OS platform. Experience with IBM utilities and system tools commonly used in z/OS environments. High-level working knowledge of TSO/ISPF environments and utilities. Experience supporting multi-vendor ISV ecosystems in production mainframe environments. Ability to analyze system documentation, vendor materials, and product architectures.