What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mainframe Automation System Programmer position at Smartwork IT Services?
Title: Mainframe Automation System Programmer
Location: Plano, TX
JOB DESCRIPTION:.
Required Qualifications
5 years in Mainframe System Programming with strong focus on automation.
Proficiency in Rexx, CLIST, JCL, and experience with IBM Workload Scheduler automation.
Familiarity with z/OS subsystems (DB2, IMS, CICS, MQ) and operational workflows.
Strong understanding of WTOR handling, command automation, and event-driven triggers.
Experience with version control (Git) and DevOps practices for mainframe.
Preferred Qualifications
Exposure to Ansible for z/OS or similar automation frameworks.
Knowledge of REST APIs for mainframe integration with enterprise automation tools.
Experience in observability platforms (OMEGAMON, IBM Z Monitoring Suite).
Certifications: IBM z/OS, Automation tools, ITIL.
Tools & Environment
Languages: Rexx, CLIST, JCL, optional Python for z/OS.
Automation Frameworks: Ansible for z/OS, IBM Workload Scheduler.
Monitoring: OMEGAMON, RMF/SMF.
Version Control: Git, ChangeMan.
Roles & Responsibilities
Automation Development & Maintenance
Design and implement automation scripts (Rexx, CLIST, JCL, Ansible for z/OS) for routine operational tasks, health checks, and system recovery.
Develop WTOR confirmation automation for operator commands with validation logic.
Automate batch scheduling workflows in IBM Workload Scheduler (IWS/TWS) and integrate with enterprise orchestration tools.
Create self-healing mechanisms for common issues (e.g., MQ transmit queue backlogs, DB2 log utilization alerts, IMS region restarts).
Monitoring & Alerting
Build real-time monitoring dashboards for system health (CPU, DASD, queue depths, buffer pools).
Implement event-driven automation for proactive remediation (e.g., auto-restart channels, clear JES backlog).
Integrate automation with SIEM/SOC tools for security compliance.
Governance & Compliance
Ensure all automation adheres to audit requirements: capture execution logs, approvals, and artifacts.
Maintain version-controlled repositories for scripts and automation frameworks.
Validate automation against SOX/ISO controls and enforce segregation of duties.
Performance & Optimization
Automate capacity checks and performance tuning tasks for DB2, IMS, and CICS regions.
Reduce batch window through job stream optimization and dynamic workload balancing.