About the Job
This is a mainframe role focused on IBM z/OS environments.
While the role exists within the broader Software Engineering family, day‑to‑day responsibilities are exclusively centered on z/OS platform engineering and operations. Experience with distributed systems or cloud technologies is not required for success in this position.
What You’ll Do
Mentor, enable, and teach peers to be self‑sufficient within the mainframe platform
Apply engineering standard methodologies to analyze, design, and maintain z/OS system‑level solutions
Leverage established standards, best practices, and automation to support mission‑critical mainframe workloads
Identify complex system‑level problems and implement reliable, supportable solutions in a highly regulated production environment
Review, verify, and validate system‑level changes, configurations, and automation introduced into production
Drive continuous improvement across reliability, availability, performance, security, and operational efficiency
Develop, maintain, and execute disaster recovery and redundancy strategies
Partners with vendors and enterprise teams on emerging best practices, patterns, and technologies
Proactively learn emerging platforms and related technologies
Establish and maintain best practices related to compliance, security, privacy, and legal requirements
Anticipate deviations from standard practices and determine practical paths forward
Track industry trends relevant to the domain and apply them where appropriate
Break down complex problems into manageable components and help others do the same
Mainframe / z/OS–Focused Responsibilities
Perform hands‑on z/OS system administration including IPLs, system startup/shutdown, parameter tuning, and system recovery
Plan, execute, and validate IBM and ISV software installs and upgrades using z/OSMF Software Instances and Workflows
Manage SMP/E environments including PTFs, HOLDDATA, USERMODs, and consolidation builds
Install, analyze, and modify system exits and USERMODs, including assembler updates when required
Build and maintain system‑resident DASD volumes, system libraries, and reproducible system builds
Configure and administer JES2
Administer RACF security including users, groups, profiles, access controls, and policy enforcement
Author, debug, and optimize JCL for batch processing
Analyze SMF/RMF data for accounting, capacity planning, and system performance tuning
Administer and tune DFSMS components including DFSMShsm and DFSMSrmm
Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP for z/OS and associated services
Develop automation and tools using REXX, CLIST, and UNIX System Services scripting
Use monitoring tools such as BMC MainView and/or Intellimagic Vision
Support mainframe hardware environments including HMC operations, CPC/LPAR configuration, and IBM zSeries platforms
Participate in on‑call rotations and ITIL‑aligned incident, change, and problem management
Coordinate with vendors and ISVs for licensing, problem determination, and PTF coordination
Create and maintain documentation, runbooks, SOPs, and operational procedures
Mentor and train junior staff on z/OS engineering and operational practices
What You’ll Bring to the Role
Note: This position requires deep experience in IBM z/OS systems programming. Candidates whose background is primarily AWS, Linux, Windows, or distributed/cloud platforms without substantial mainframe experience are unlikely to be a fit.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
At least 4 years of relevant experience
5+ years of professional IT experience, primarily focused on enterprise mainframe platforms
Experience applying DevOps concepts, Agile methodologies, and automation in mainframe environments
Experience monitoring and tuning performance of large‑scale systems
Working knowledge of scripting or programming concepts for automation
Familiarity with authentication, authorization, certificates, and vulnerability management
Required z/OS / Mainframe Experience
Extensive hands‑on experience as a z/OS Systems Programmer in production environments
Strong knowledge of z/OS internals, JES2, RACF, SMP/E, and system libraries
Proven expertise in SMF/RMF‑based performance tuning, capacity planning, and problem determination
Experience with DASD, tape management, and SAN technologies, including Hyperswap
Proficiency with REXX, CLIST, and USS shell scripting (additional languages a plus)
Experience supporting Sysplex and Coupling Facility environments (preferred)
Exposure to subsystems such as CICS, DB2, and MQ and their integration with z/OS
Knowledge of PKI/SSL, LDAP integration, Kerberos, and mainframe security hardening
Experience with z/OSMF, Ansible, or automation/orchestration tooling for mainframe lifecycle management
Familiarity with cloud‑to‑mainframe integration or CI/CD concepts as applied to z/OS
Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills under sustained production pressure
Skills You Have
The hiring team will assess candidates against the following skills:
Communicates complex technical information clearly across both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Designs and supports systems with a strong customer‑first mindset, particularly for mission‑critical platforms.
Designs, implements, and maintains enterprise‑class hardware, system software, networks, and data storage platforms.
Uses monitoring and performance tools to diagnose, optimize, and stabilize system performance.
Demonstrates deep expertise in operating system architecture, internals, and resource management.
Develops, maintains, and documents complex programs, scripts, and automation.
Resolves complex technical issues and drives alignment on durable solutions in production environments.
#LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid
Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$118,960.00
Pay Range - End:
$178,440.00
Geographic Specific Pay Structure:
Structure 110:
Structure 115:
We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.
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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.
Analytical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Customer Centricity (NM) - Advanced, Cloud Infrastructure (NM) - Advanced, Enterprise Architecture (NM) - Advanced, Strategic Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Infrastructure Development (NM) - Expert, Talent Development & Planning (NM) - Intermediate, Programming Languages (NM) - Expert, Strategic Vision & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Industry Standard Frameworks (NM) - Advanced, Project Methodologies (NM) - Advanced, OS Level Knowledge (NM) - Expert, Accountability (NM) - Advanced, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Advanced, Technical Problem Solving (NM) - Expert, Monitor System Health (NM) - Advanced, Business Influence (NM) - Advanced, SaaS (Software as a Service) (NM) - Advanced, Automation Strategy & Implementation (NM) - Expert, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Container Orchestration (NM) - Intermediate
We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.
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Flexible work schedules
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Concierge service
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Comprehensive benefits
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Employee resource groups
