IBM is a global leader in enterprise IT solutions, renowned for its innovation in mission-critical systems that power businesses worldwide. With 60 years of mainframe expertise, IBM introduced Db2 for z/OS over 40 years ago, establishing it as the backbone of transactional systems that drive today’s global economy. We are seeking a Db2 for z/OS IT Specialist to join our elite Db2 SWAT Team, a highly skilled group of database experts committed to optimizing Db2 system availability and performance. In this role, you will educate and guide Db2 customers, promoting best practices for system setup, configuration, features utilization, monitoring, automation, and overall Db2 system management to maximize efficiency and reliability. You are also tasked to provide problem resolution and miss-critical database support.
As a Db2 for z/OS IT Specialist, you will be key member of a global Db2 SWAT Team, responsible for conducting 360° Db2 for z/OS Continuous Availability Assessment Studies, leading Db2 for z/OS Master Classes, and advising customers on complex Db2 performance and availability challenges. Your role will focus on optimizing database environments, resolving critical issues, and providing expert-level support. You will collaborate closely with clients, developers, support teams, and other IT professionals to ensure high availability, stability, and efficiency of Db2 for z/OS databases.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct 360° Db2 for z/OS Continuous Availability Assessment Studies, including customer engagement, data collection, analysis, interview preparation, system evaluation, and delivering findings with recommendations.
- Design and deliver Db2 for z/OS Master classes to educate customers and internal teams.
- Provide expert guidance on Db2 for z/OS best practices, security, and compliance, ensuring optimal system performance and reliability.
- Collaborate with development and infrastructure teams to optimize and enhance Db2 for current and future customer workloads.
- Lead critical customer situation, assist in root cause analysis (RCA), and recommend long-term solutions.
- Develop and improve tools and automation used by the Db2 SWAT team to enhance efficiency.
- Mentor and train internal teams on Db2 for z/OS best practices to strengthen overall expertise.
- 10+ years of hands-on experience with Db2 for z/OS in roles such as DBA, Systems Programmer, or Performance Specialist.
- 3-5 years of experience as a technical lead or consultant for one or more Fortune 100 financial companies.
- In-depth understanding of Db2 internals, system architecture, and performance tuning.
- Proficiency in SQL tuning, Db2 utilities, buffer pool tuning, and index optimization.
- Strong knowledge of z/OS, RACF, WLM, SDSF, and SMF monitoring tools.
- Experience with Db2 logging, recovery, and disaster recovery planning.
- Familiarity with tools like IBM OMEGAMON, Query Monitor, or BMC MainView.
- Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to perform effectively under high-pressure, mission-critical situations.
- IBM Certified Db2 for z/OS Administrator or an equivalent certification.
- Expertise in Db2 data sharing and parallel sysplex environments.
- Experience with active-active site swap, IMS, CICS, MQ, and other mainframe stack technologies.
- Strong understanding of mainframe and Db2 maintenance practices
- Knowledge of Db2 Connect, JDBC/ODBC, or distributed Db2 environments.
- Exposure to modern DevOps practices for mainframe environments.