Mainframe Senior Architect Performance & Capacity Management
Position Type: Full-Time
Fully Remote
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Senior Architect specializing in IBM Mainframe Performance and Capacity Management. This is a highly technical, hands-on role focused on maintaining and optimizing the performance, scalability, stability, availability, and cost efficiency of a large-scale IBM z/OS / IBM Z environment.
The role is approximately 80% Performance Management and 20% Capacity Planning.
The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on expertise in z/OS performance tuning, Workload Manager (WLM), SMF/RMF analysis, CPU and zIIP optimization, and large-scale Parallel Sysplex environments.
Key Responsibilities
Monitor, analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize IBM z/OS performance across large and complex environments.
Perform real-time analysis of CPU, memory, storage, workload, and transaction performance.
Identify performance bottlenecks and determine root causes during critical and high-volume processing periods.
Configure and tune Workload Manager (WLM) policies and workloads.
Analyze SMF and RMF data to identify performance trends and optimization opportunities.
Evaluate the performance impact of Db2, CICS, IMS, and MQ workloads.
Support and optimize multi-LPAR and Parallel Sysplex environments.
Analyze and optimize general processor and zIIP utilization.
Perform capacity forecasting and modeling based on workload trends, business growth, and anticipated demand.
Forecast future MIPS/MSU and infrastructure requirements.
Support mainframe cost optimization and IBM software/infrastructure cost analysis.
Perform SCRT (Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool) processing and analysis.
Develop performance reports, dashboards, and analytics using tools such as SAS/MXG, OMEGAMON, Excel, IntelliMagic, REXX, and JCL.
Collaborate with application developers, DBAs, infrastructure teams, DevOps, and leadership to communicate performance findings and recommendations.
Develop proactive strategies to maintain system stability, availability, and low latency during peak workloads.
Provide technical leadership and mentoring in mainframe performance and capacity management.
Required Qualifications
Extensive hands-on experience in IBM Mainframe Performance Management and Tuning.
Strong expertise in IBM z/OS and IBM Z architecture.
Experience with large-scale multi-LPAR and Parallel Sysplex environments.
Strong knowledge of WLM configuration and tuning.
Extensive experience analyzing SMF and RMF performance data.
Experience with CPU, memory, storage, and workload utilization analysis.
Strong understanding of Db2, CICS, IMS, and MQ workloads.
Experience troubleshooting complex mainframe performance issues in real time.
Strong hands-on experience with REXX and JCL.
Experience with performance tools such as OMEGAMON and SAS/MXG.
Strong knowledge of MIPS, MSUs, capacity planning, workload forecasting, and capacity modeling.
Understanding of IBM mainframe software pricing and cost optimization.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to present technical findings to both technical and executive audiences.
Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Skills
Grafana experience for performance monitoring, dashboards, visualization, or operational reporting.
ZPCR
Macro4 Freezeframe
BMC Thruput Manager
TADz
IntelliMagic
SAS programming for reporting and analytics.
Experience creating executive dashboards and operational reporting.
Experience supporting highly transactional, large-scale enterprise environments.
Education
A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline is preferred but not mandatory.
Candidates without a Bachelor's degree may be considered based on the strength and depth of their relevant IBM Mainframe Performance experience.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a true IBM Mainframe Performance and Capacity Management specialist, rather than a general Mainframe Architect with limited performance exposure.
Strong candidates will have significant experience with:
z/OS Performance Monitoring and Tuning
WLM, RMF, and SMF
Real-time performance troubleshooting
CPU and zIIP optimization
Parallel Sysplex and multi-LPAR environments
Db2, CICS, IMS, and MQ workload analysis
OMEGAMON, SAS/MXG, IntelliMagic, or similar tools
MIPS/MSU forecasting and capacity planning
Mainframe cost and infrastructure optimization
Grafana-based performance monitoring and dashboards