z/OS System Programmer

Veteran-Owned Firm Seeking a Lead z/OS Systems Programmer for a Hybrid (2 days on-site) Critical Mission in Annapolis, MD

Compensation: $150,000 – $170,000 | Location: Annapolis, MD (On-site) | Clearance: Active Secret

My name is Stephen Hrutka. I lead a Veteran-Owned management consulting firm in Washington, DC. We specialize in Technical and Cleared Recruiting for the Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), and other advanced defense agencies.

At HRUCKUS, we support fellow Veteran-Owned businesses by helping them recruit for positions across organizations such as the VA, SBA, HHS, DARPA, and other leading-edge R&D-focused defense agencies.

The Opportunity We are seeking several experienced z/OS Systems Programmers to own the stability and modernization of a client’s IBM mainframe environment in Annapolis, MD.

Unlike typical maintenance roles, this position offers the chance to lead modernization initiatives (z/OSMF, Ansible) while supporting a mission-critical defense environment. The ideal candidate is a Core OS expert who is comfortable working on-site and interested in moving the platform forward.

Position Job Duties

• Core z/OS Engineering: Install, configure, and maintain z/OS and related IBM system software (SMP/E, PTF/RSU management, PARMLIB/PROCLIB maintenance, and IPL planning).
• Modernization & Automation: Drive the adoption of modern mainframe tools; develop automation using REXX, CLIST, or Ansible; and support integration with cloud/hybrid architectures.
• Performance & Capacity: Perform workload analysis using RMF/SMF, tune WLM policies, and provide recommendations to optimize CPU and storage utilization.
• Subsystem Support: Provide support for key subsystems (JES2/JES3, CICS, DB2, MQ, or IMS). Note: You do not need to be a deep expert in all subsystems, but must be capable of configuration and troubleshooting.
• Security & Compliance: Maintain RACF rules, digital certificates, and ensure STIG compliance/vulnerability remediation.

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: Active Secret Clearance (Required).
• Experience: 8 years of hands-on experience as a z/OS Systems Programmer.
• Technical Core: Deep understanding of z/OS internals, JES2/JES3, WLM, and SMP/E.
• Troubleshooting: Strong diagnostic skills (IPCS, dumps, traces) and ability to resolve complex system issues.
• Location: Ability to work on-site in Annapolis, MD full-time (Commutable from Baltimore, Columbia, Ft. Meade, and DC Metro areas).

Preferred Qualifications (The "Nice to Haves")

• Experience with z/OSMF, Zowe, or Ansible for z/OS.
• Deep expertise in specific subsystems (CICS, DB2, IMS, MQ) is a major plus.
• Familiarity with federal compliance frameworks (NIST, STIG, RMF).
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience.

Why Join This Mission?

• Competitive Pay: $150k - $170k base salary.
• Stability: Long-term defense engagement.
• Impact: Move beyond "keeping the lights on" and help modernize a critical environment.