Mainframe Systems Engineer

Norfolk Southern is seeking a highly motivated, self-starting Mainframe Systems Engineer to oversee and administer the company’s enterprise mainframe environment.  In this role, you will support a Parallel Sysplex infrastructure and play a critical role in ensuring system reliability, performance, and availability.

Key responsibilities include DASD and tape storage management, system performance monitoring and tuning, and proactive problem resolution.  The Mainframe Systems Engineer will also collaborate with internal stakeholders and third-party hardware providers to design and implement solutions that support a highly available, scalable, resilient mainframe environment. 

Responsibilities

• Drive z/OS technology development initiatives, including evaluation, deployment, and integration of new product enhancements and hardware solutions.

• Own the installation, maintenance, and operational support of mainframe infrastructure and system software across a Parallel Sysplex environment.

• Monitor and manage mainframe performance.

• Use, configure and provide support of storage subsystems and infrastructure. 

• Coordinate with hardware and software vendors for support and future project work.

• Create comprehensive documentation, conduct thorough testing, and follow defined change control processes.

• Provide support for mission critical application infrastructure and products.

• Communicate with end-users, application programmers, co-workers, managers, and other stakeholders.

• Writing test scripts and performing testing verification of product deliverables.

• Serve as part of a rotational Level 2 on-call support team, responding to and resolving complex system issues.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technology, MIS, CIS or other related degrees preferred. Will consider experience in lieu of college degree. 
 

Job Related Experience

• Minimum Level: 4 years

• Preferred Level: 5+ years
   

Skills Required 

• 4+ years of experience with mainframe z/OS internals, z/OS Parallel Sysplex, Unix Systems Services (USS).

• 4+ years of experience with mainframe hardware, software and third-party installation support. 

• 4+ years of experience designing, administering, and supporting mainframe disk (DASD) and tape storage infrastructure.

• Experience mainframe capacity planning and performance tuning. 

• Experience writing test scripts and performing testing verifications. 

• Experience with mainframe application development IDE build and run tools. 
   

Skills Desired 

• Expert‑level understanding of z/OS internals, UNIX System Services (USS), and  Parallel Sysplex architecture, including cross‑system communication and workload management. 

• Experience with Assembler, TCPIP/VTAM, TSO/ISPF, REXX, SMP/E

• Maintain and operate within a Parallel Sysplex environment including virtual tape and sharing of DASD.

• Knowledge of Infrastructure software solutions, (ex. Zeke, Zebb, ISPW, TMON, JCLPrep, QuickRef, SAS, CICS, IBM utilities)

• Maintain a Coupling Facility environment.
   

Work Conditions

• Location: Position eligible for remote work within Norfolk Southern’s 22-state operating network.

• Environment: US Remote

• Shift Work: No

• On-Call: Yes

• Weekend Work: No