Mainframe Systems Programmer - IBM Z16, Systems Engineer

About AutoZone:

AutoZone is the nation's leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories with more than 6,000 stores in the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil. Each store carries an extensive line of cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured hard parts, maintenance items, and accessories. 

We also sell automotive diagnostic and repair software through ALLDATA, diagnostic and repair information through ALLDATAdiy.com, automotive accessories through AutoAnything.com, and auto and light truck parts and accessories through AutoZone.com.

Since opening its first store in Forrest City, Ark. on July 4, 1979, the company has joined the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AZO) and earned a spot in the Fortune 500. 

AutoZone has been committed to providing the best parts, prices, and customer service in the automotive aftermarket industry. We have a rich culture and history of going the Extra Mile for our customers and our community. At AutoZone you’re not just doing a job; you’re playing a crucial role in creating a better experience for our customers while creating opportunities to DRIVE YOUR CAREER almost anywhere! We are looking for talented, customer-focused people, enjoy helping others, and have the DRIVE to excel in a fast-paced environment!

Position Summary

The Mainframe Systems Administrator is a technical role focused on security and audit-related activities, including direct engagement with Third-Party Vendors who manage most day-to-day operational tasks. The ideal candidate combines deep System Administration expertise with proficiency in at least one complementary area—DB2 DBA, Mainframe Architecture, or z/OS Development—and brings a genuine interest in AIOps-related initiatives. As the primary liaison with managed service providers, the incumbent must be willing to cross-train and continuously broaden their skills across multiple disciplines. The role maintains strategic oversight of z/OS and CICS environments on the IBM enterprise server platform, with accountability for RACF, SMS, HSM, and a broad portfolio of system software, including performance, capacity, and security management. This position partners with Engineering, Information Security, and application subject matter experts to define and enforce environmental standards, and supports 24x7 technology operations with On-Call responsibilities

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline — or equivalent professional experience.
• 7-10 years of experience in mainframe systems programming or systems administration role.
• Strong understanding and working knowledge of IBM Mainframe z/OS operating system — control structure, logic, and RACF security.
• Extensive experience with IBM z/OS system and subsystem software, with demonstrated ability to support, develop, and enhance tools and methodologies for large-scale global deployment.
• Deep knowledge of IBM enterprise server hardware, facilities, and supporting infrastructure.
• Strong hands-on proficiency with SMP/E, JES2, JCL, ISPF dialog management, and REXX.
• Proven capability in problem determination, root-cause analysis, and resolution across complex multi-component failures.
• Experience administering CICS, Db2, TCP/IP (Communications Server / VTAM), and DFSMS/HSM.
• Experience with ISV products from CA/Broadcom, BMC, Rocket Software, or equivalent vendors.
• Ability to configure the environment to define and enforce operational and security standards in partnership with Engineering and Information Security.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear technical documentation and present findings to both technical and business audiences.
• Must be available for 24x7 on-call support rotation.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with a wide range of IBM and ISV product installation and support tools.
• Proficiency in IBM Assembler language.
• Experience with System Automation, Performance Monitoring, Communication Server, Batch Scheduling, Change Management, Storage Management, and ISPF dialog development.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, z/OS Connect, and hybrid-cloud integration concepts.
• Exposure to API development and HTML in the context of ISPF and web-facing mainframe interfaces.
• Experience supporting Retail, Supply Chain, Financial, or large-scale transaction-processing environments.
• Knowledge of Git-based source control or scripting languages (Python, Shell) used in automation workflows.
• Familiarity with AIOps platforms, AI/ML-driven observability tools, or intelligent automation frameworks in a mainframe or hybrid-cloud context.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and senior technical resource for IBM z/OS and associated subsystems, providing deep platform knowledge to the broader engineering organization.

• Lead installation, configuration, maintenance, and upgrade activities for z/OS, CICS, Db2, RACF, TCP/IP, and z/OS Connect on the IBM Z enterprise platform.

• Support daily operations of z/OS infrastructure components including JES2, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, USS, and DFSMS; perform routine health checks and operational validation to ensure platform stability.

• Administer and support RACF security, SMS storage management, and HSM; define and enforce access controls, compliance requirements, and audit activities.

• Perform and oversee SMP/E maintenance activities, software installations, and operating system upgrades across large-scale global deployments.

• Drive problem determination and resolution for system software incidents; analyse logs, review dumps, identify root cause, and implement permanent corrective actions.

• Monitor the mainframe environment using ISV monitoring products (CA/Broadcom, BMC, Rocket Software, and others); build and maintain alerting rules and automation to proactively sustain platform health.

• Install, upgrade, and support ISV products from vendors including CA/Broadcom, BMC, and Rocket Software.

• Identify alternatives for optimising compute, storage, and network resources; perform performance and capacity management activities including WLM tuning.

• Develop and maintain automation processes using REXX, JCL, ISPF dialog management, and System Automation tooling to improve operational efficiency.

• Partner with application development, infrastructure, Information Security, and managed service teams on enterprise platform initiatives including APIs, DevOps tooling, and cloud integration.

• Participate in modernisation efforts involving z/OS Connect, CI/CD pipelines, and hybrid-cloud integration.

• Write and maintain system documentation, runbooks, operational procedures, and technical standards and support 24x7 on-call rotation.

• Engage with Third-Party Managed Service Providers who perform the majority of day-to-day operational activities; serve as the internal technical liaison, reviewing deliverables, overseeing SLAs, and coordinating escalations.

• Actively cross-train across complementary disciplines—including DB2 DBA, Mainframe Architecture, and z/OS Development—to maintain broad platform knowledge and reduce single-point-of-dependency risk.

• Contribute to AIOps initiatives by identifying opportunities to apply AI/ML-driven insights to platform monitoring, anomaly detection, and operational automation.