Senior / Lead Mainframe z/OS Infrastructure Services Engineer (hybrid or remote)

• About Us

   

  The world isn’t standing still, and neither is Allstate. We’re moving quickly, looking across our businesses and brands and taking bold steps to better serve customers’ evolving needs. That’s why now is an exciting time to join our team. You’ll have opportunities to take risks, challenge the status quo and shape the future for the greater good.

   

  You’ll do all this in an environment of excellence and the highest ethical standards – a place where values such as integrity, inclusive diversity and accountability are paramount. We empower every employee to lead, drive change and give back where they work and live. Our people are our greatest strength, and we work as one team in service of our customers and communities.

   

  Allstate operate a very flexible hybrid working policy that will allow you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager with a blend of remote and office working for NI based employees as well as condensed working patterns (4 day week/9 day fortnight). Employees based in GB will be employed on a permanent remote working contract.

   

  Join our team and you’ll find challenge and reward in a culture of innovation, support and balance. 

   

   

  Location

   

   

   

  Belfast / Derry - Londonderry / Strabane / Remote, GB

   

   

   

  The Team

   

  Mainframe Engineering – z/OS Team.  Responsible for managing, maintaining and supporting the mainframe platform which hosts numerous business critical applications for the enterprise.  The scope of the team’s accountability includes the hardware, operating system and ISV software.

   

   

   

  Your role in the team

   

   

  The Senior / Lead z/OS Services Engineer (also referred to as a z/OS System Programmer) is responsible for overall support and maintenance of the mainframe platform.  This may involve installing, customizing, and maintaining the z/OS operating system as well as installing, upgrading, and supporting IBM and ISV products that are hosted on the platform.  The Service Engineer – Consultant – z/OS is responsible for participating in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems with software and may work directly with software vendors to resolve the problems.  They are also responsible for Disaster Recovery readiness of the platform including products used for DR, maintaining the accuracy of the DR plans, and participating in DR tests as required.

   

   

  • Provide technical support for the mainframe infrastructure, z/OS operating system, and ISV software products hosted on the mainframe platform.
  • Perform research, analysis, design, planning, and engineering for hardware and software installations and upgrades under general direction.
  • Participate in the execution of hardware and software technology implementations and upgrades.
  • Investigate and resolve routine or common incidents and issues generated from the Service Desk, application development teams, subsystem support teams, and end users with little supervision. 
  • Fulfill routine or common service requests related to mainframe hardware, operating system, or ISV software products    
  • Participate in the support, coordination and execution of scheduled maintenance activities including IPLs, DR tests, etc.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24x7 support; be available for project and maintenance activities outside normal working hours, as needed.
  • Perform research and analysis for exploitation of new features and functions of supported software

   

   

   

  So, what are the essential criteria to apply?

   

   

  • All candidates must evidence an existing right to work in the UK'
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an infrastructure role
  • Strong knowledge in SMP/E, z/OSMF, Server Pac
  • HCD/IODF experience including the ability to implement the necessary IODF updates to upgrade a processor, provide the IOCP to IBM, add new DASD, define OSA definitions, define/remove LPARs, and use of the CHPID mapping tool
  • Good knowledge of System initialization and tuning
  • Good knowledge about Disaster Recovery
  • Strong knowledge of JCL, TSO, JES2, ISPF, SDSF, SMS
  • Knowledge of z/OS system commands
  • Experience installing products from a wide range of vendors such as IBM, Broadcom, XENOS, Serena
  • Experience providing support within a multi-LPAR, multi-site SYSPLEX environment.
  • General knowledge of CICS, IMS, DB2, VTAM, and RACF
  • Excellent Communication skills
  • Strong troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and application team’s coordination
  • Experience with and good knowledge of USS processing

   

   

   

   

  We also have some desirable criteria

   

   

  • Experience with IBM’s Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex (GDPS) software

   

   

   

  What we offer

   

  As Digital DNA’s Workplace of the Year 2020 & 2022 winners, we offer a generous benefits package that includes flexible annual leave entitlement, dental and healthcare insurance, an attractive pension package and discounts on gym memberships, public transport and parking.

   

  Allstate invests heavily in your development, as an employee you will have access to multiple world-class learning platforms and courses from our award-winning in-house Learning & Development team.

   

  We pride ourselves in providing clear career paths and opportunities for internal mobility allowing you to further develop within the organisation.

   

  We encourage a better work life balance and you’ll have the opportunity to apply for various flexible working arrangements.

   

   

  Apply Here: https://bit.ly/32AZO4A 

   

   

  Statement on Fair Employment and Equal Opportunities

   

  Allstate NI wishes to ensure equal opportunity is given to all job applicants.  This company will not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender (including gender reassignment status), sexual orientation, religious belief, political opinion, marital status, age or disability.

   

  We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as women are currently under-represented in our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from women. All appointments will be made on merit.

   

  Applicants should note Allstate NI complete AccessNI background checks on all candidates offered a position.

   

   

  The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15th July 2022