Principal, Infra Mainframe - zOS & Config Management

Responsibilities

• Lead mainframe configuration and z/OS architecture across production, DR, and test estates.
• Define standards for IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, PR/SM, parmlib, proclib, and maintenance governance.
• Serve as design authority for high-risk changes, upgrades, hardware and sofrware refreshes, and recovery testing.
• Lead performance, resilience, configuration drift, and compliance reviews across the platform.
• Provide technical leadership across sysprog, infrastructure, operations, and audit stakeholders.
• Own z/OS base architecture, release strategy, SMP/E governance, maintenance planning, and currency management.
• Define parmlib, proclib, and system configuration standards across shared and LPAR-specific environments.
• Architect WLM, JES2, and USS services to support performance, workload priorities, and operational stability.
• Define SMF recording, monitoring feeds, and system data standards for capacity, compliance, and reporting.
• Lead upgrade strategy and architecture for core z/OS services, including communications, coupling, and runtime foundations.
• Own IBM Z configuration architecture across IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, and PR/SM.
• Act as design authority for configuration changes, pre-IPL validation, and hardware refresh readiness.
• Define and govern sysplex, CF, CFRM, ARM, SFM, and CDS architecture.
• Set standards for STP, LPAR design, processor allocation, capping, and specialty engines.
• Lead automation and configuration management, including version control, drift detection, and change traceability.
• Build, validate, and troubleshoot IODF, STP, CFRM, and sysplex configurations and failures.
• Support AI-enabled validation and operational insight for configuration and platform health.
• Define and enforce engineering standards, validation gates, and control requirements across configuration and z/OS.
• Review and approve MSP designs, change plans, runbooks, RCAs, and technical deliverables.
• Review and approve MSP designs, runbooks, and change records before production execution.
• Assess MSP deliverables for quality, compliance, and evidence against bank standards.
• Own key z/OS administration areas including USS, SMF, TCP/IP, and related system configuration changes.
• Diagnose z/OS incidents using IPCS and lead technical root-cause analysis for platform issues.
• Provide technical authority for z/OS upgrades and maintenance, including pre-change validation and post-change sign-off.
• Govern MSP-led execution to ensure changes meet architecture, operational, and audit requirements.
• Experience and Qualifications
• Technical Skills - Must Have
• Domain
• Required knowledge
• Configuration
• IODF, HCD, IOCDS, CHPID, control unit and device definitions
• Sysplex
• Parallel Sysplex, CF, CFRM, XCF, ARM, SFM, CDS management
• Timing and LPARs
• STP, CTN, PR/SM, LPAR design, capping, specialty engines
• z/OS Base
• Parmlib, proclib, IPL, release strategy, symbolics
• Maintenance
• SMP/E, PTF lifecycle, HOLDDATA, service planning
• Performance
• WLM, RMF, SMF, capacity and performance analysis
• Core Services
• JES2, USS, RACF, TCP/IP, au

Benefits

Additional Information

About Northern Trust: Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889. Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world's most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. We are seeking Principal Mainframe Configuration Management and z/OS Systems Architect to lead architecture, design, standards, governance across IBM Z configuration management and z/OS systems programming. You will act as the design authority across IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, PR/SM, z/OS base, SMP/E, WLM, JES2, USS, and system-level security, ensuring stability, compliance, resilience, and operational readiness. The role includes governing the Managed Service Provider, reviewing designs and changes, setting engineering standards, validating deliverables, and driving quality across production, DR, and test environments. This is a mission-critical role supporting a regulated banking platform with a focus on availability, change control, audit readiness, and service resilience. Key Skills and Expertise Key skills include IODF, HCD, Parallel Sysplex, STP, PR/SM, z/OS, SMP/E, WLM, JES2, ACF2, RACF, USS, RMF, SMF, automation, change governance, MSP technical deliverables oversight, disaster recovery, performance tuning, and compliance.

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