IDMS Mainframe DBA

Job Description

Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Senior IDMS Mainframe DBA/Engineer to support, maintain, and enhance critical enterprise mainframe environments. This individual will serve as the technical lead for CA IDMS database administration, performance tuning, system optimization, troubleshooting, and modernization initiatives while partnering closely with application development, infrastructure, and business stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in IDMS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, z/OS, and mainframe architecture, with a proven track record supporting large-scale transactional systems in highly regulated environments such as insurance, financial services, government, or healthcare.

Responsibilities Database Administration & Engineering

• Administer, maintain, and support complex CA IDMS database environments on IBM z/OS.

• Design, create, modify, and reorganize IDMS databases, schemas, subschemas, and data structures.

• Manage IDMS dictionary and system generation activities.

• Monitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance.

• Perform database upgrades, migrations, and patch installations.

• Develop and implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures. Performance & Optimization

• Analyze database performance metrics and identify bottlenecks.

• Tune IDMS applications, areas, pagesets, and storage configurations for maximum efficiency.

• Optimize batch and online transaction performance.

• Conduct root-cause analysis for production incidents and recurring issues.

• Implement monitoring and automation strategies to improve reliability. Application Support

• Partner with COBOL developers and business analysts to design, troubleshoot, and optimize applications.

• Support online and batch processing environments.

• Review application designs for database efficiency and scalability.

• Assist with SQL tuning and integration efforts involving DB2 and other databases. Mainframe Infrastructure Support

• Work closely with z/OS systems programmers, operations teams, and middleware administrators.

• Support security initiatives involving RACF and database access controls.

• Participate in system maintenance, DR testing, and capacity planning exercises.

• Evaluate modernization opportunities and migration strategies. Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to junior DBAs and developers.

• Create and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and standards.

• Lead troubleshooting efforts during critical production incidents.

• Participate in architecture reviews and strategic planning initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

• 8+ years of experience working in IBM mainframe environments.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering CA IDMS databases.

• Strong experience with: o CA IDMS o IBM z/OS o COBOL o JCL o TSO/ISPF o CICS o DB2 o VSAM

• Experience supporting mission-critical production systems.

• Strong knowledge of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery methodologies.

• Experience analyzing dumps, logs, and system diagnostics.

• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with: o Broadcom CA IDMS tools o Endevor o File Manager o Abend-AID o SYSVIEW o CA View o Control-M o MQ Series

• Exposure to API integration or mainframe modernization initiatives.

• Experience supporting insurance, financial services, healthcare, or government environments.

• Knowledge of Agile or DevOps practices.

• Familiarity with cloud migration strategies and hybrid architectures.

Key Success Metrics

• Maintain IDMS database uptime and stability.
• Reduce production incidents through proactive monitoring and optimization.
• Improve application performance and batch processing efficiency.
• Successfully execute database maintenance, upgrades, and recovery activities.
• Mentor team members and contribute to long-term modernization strategies.

Skills and Requirements

Overview We are seeking a highly skilled Senior IDMS Mainframe DBA/Engineer to support, maintain, and enhance critical enterprise mainframe environments. This individual will serve as the technical lead for CA IDMS database administration, performance tuning, system optimization, troubleshooting, and modernization initiatives while partnering closely with application development, infrastructure, and business stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in IDMS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, z/OS, and mainframe architecture, with a proven track record supporting large-scale transactional systems in highly regulated environments such as insurance, financial services, government, or healthcare.

Responsibilities Database Administration & Engineering

• Administer, maintain, and support complex CA IDMS database environments on IBM z/OS.

• Design, create, modify, and reorganize IDMS databases, schemas, subschemas, and data structures.

• Manage IDMS dictionary and system generation activities.

• Monitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance.

• Perform database upgrades, migrations, and patch installations.

• Develop and implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures. Performance & Optimization

• Analyze database performance metrics and identify bottlenecks.

• Tune IDMS applications, areas, pagesets, and storage configurations for maximum efficiency.

• Optimize batch and online transaction performance.

• Conduct root-cause analysis for production incidents and recurring issues.

• Implement monitoring and automation strategies to improve reliability. Application Support

• Partner with COBOL developers and business analysts to design, troubleshoot, and optimize applications.

• Support online and batch processing environments.

• Review application designs for database efficiency and scalability.

• Assist with SQL tuning and integration efforts involving DB2 and other databases. Mainframe Infrastructure Support

• Work closely with z/OS systems programmers, operations teams, and middleware administrators.

• Support security initiatives involving RACF and database access controls.

• Participate in system maintenance, DR testing, and capacity planning exercises.

• Evaluate modernization opportunities and migration strategies. Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to junior DBAs and developers.

• Create and maintain technical documentation, procedures, and standards.

• Lead troubleshooting efforts during critical production incidents.

• Participate in architecture reviews and strategic planning initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

• 8+ years of experience working in IBM mainframe environments.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering CA IDMS databases.

• Strong experience with: o CA IDMS o IBM z/OS o COBOL o JCL o TSO/ISPF o CICS o DB2 o VSAM

• Experience supporting mission-critical production systems.

• Strong knowledge of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery methodologies.

• Experience analyzing dumps, logs, and system diagnostics.

• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with: o Broadcom CA IDMS tools o Endevor o File Manager o Abend-AID o SYSVIEW o CA View o Control-M o MQ Series

• Exposure to API integration or mainframe modernization initiatives.

• Experience supporting insurance, financial services, healthcare, or government environments.

• Knowledge of Agile or DevOps practices.

• Familiarity with cloud migration strategies and hybrid architectures.

Key Success Metrics

• Maintain IDMS database uptime and stability.
• Reduce production incidents through proactive monitoring and optimization.
• Improve application performance and batch processing efficiency.
• Successfully execute database maintenance, upgrades, and recovery activities.
• Mentor team members and contribute to long-term modernization strategies.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].