Senior Mainframe DB2 System Programmer – DB2 for z/OS – Remote/ International

Senior Mainframe DB2 System Programmer – DB2 for z/OS

Brief Summary: We are looking for a Senior Mainframe DB2 System Programmer with strong hands-on experience in DB2 for z/OS, Data Sharing, DDF, system upgrades and performance tuning. You will take ownership of complex DB2 environments and support migrations from Broadcom/CA or BMC tools to IBM utilities. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with SMP/E, z/OS internals, Disaster Recovery, BSDS/log management and mainframe security. Experience with REXX, CICS, IMS and zOSMF is a plus.

Practical: Start date: ASAP | End date: 1 year + possible extension | Hours per week: 40,00 | Contract type: Temporary Contract/Freelance | Rate per hour: 80€ - 105€ per hour, depending on experience.

Are you an experienced Mainframe DB2 System Programmer looking for a role where you can take real ownership of complex DB2 environments?

We are looking for a Senior Mainframe DB2 System Programmer with strong hands-on experience in DB2 for z/OS, Data Sharing, system upgrades, performance tuning and database utility migrations. You will work across business-critical mainframe environments and play a key role in maintaining, modernising and improving the DB2 landscape.

This is a senior technical position for someone who understands DB2 beyond the DBA level and is comfortable working directly with subsystem configuration, z/OS internals and large-scale migrations.

What will you be doing?

You will take responsibility for the installation, configuration, maintenance and upgrade of DB2 for z/OS subsystems. This includes planning and executing DB2 version upgrades, implementing maintenance and supporting complex production environments.

A major part of the role involves DB2 Data Sharing. You should be comfortable managing Data Sharing configurations, including adding, changing and decommissioning members. You will also work with Distributed Data Facility (DDF) and distributed DB2 connectivity.

You will support an important modernisation programme, migrating legacy Broadcom/CA and BMC database tools to native IBM DB2 utilities and software. Previous hands-on experience with CA-to-IBM or BMC-to-IBM utility conversions will therefore be highly valuable.

Alongside this, you will work on DB2 performance and reliability. This includes enabling and analysing traces, tuning buffer pools, reviewing SQL access paths and troubleshooting system-level performance issues.

You will also be involved in DB2 Disaster Recovery, log management and BSDS (Boot Strap Data Set) handling, ensuring recovery procedures are properly established, documented and tested.Security and compliance are another important part of the position. You will work with mainframe security solutions such as RACF, Top Secret or ACF2 and provide technical support for audits and compliance requirements.

Competenties

We are looking for someone with approximately 10–20 years of hands-on Mainframe DB2 experience, ideally gained in a dedicated DB2 System Programmer position.

You should have strong practical experience with:

• DB2 for z/OS subsystem installation, configuration, maintenance and upgrades
• DB2 Data Sharing environments and member administration
• DDF and distributed DB2 connectivity
• Online and offline DB2 utilities
• CA/Broadcom-to-IBM or BMC-to-IBM utility migrations
• SMP/E installation and maintenance
• z/OS internals including LLA, PROG, APF, LNKLST and USS
• DB2 performance monitoring, tracing and tuning
• BSDS, DB2 logs, recovery and Disaster Recovery
• Mainframe security using RACF, Top Secret or ACF2
• Strong written and spoken English
• Experience with REXX scripting, DB2 automation, JCL, IMS, CICS, Two-Phase Commit (2PC) or zOSMF workflows would be a strong advantage.