Job Title: Mainframe z/OS specialist
Job Location: Remote- Remote, USA
** Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future**
Cognizant is seeking a Mainframe z/OS specialist for a full-time remote opportunity. Qualified candidates must be in located in the US. Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
The Mainframe z/OS Support professional is responsible for providing operational, administrative, and production support for IBM z/OS mainframe systems. The role ensures system stability, availability, performance, and compliance while supporting business‑critical batch and online workloads in an enterprise environment.
Salary and Other Compensation:
The annual salary for this position is between $99,000 to $113,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
In this role, you will
- Provide L2/L3 operational and administrative support for IBM z/OS systems, ensuring high availability and performance of business-critical mainframe environments.
- Monitor system health, respond to alerts, and manage production incidents, abends, and outages through to resolution, including participation in major incident bridges and post-incident reviews.
- Perform root cause analysis (RCA) on z/OS system issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce recurrence and minimize business impact.
- Administer and support core z/OS components including JES2/JES3, TSO/ISPF, and related subsystems to maintain a stable and compliant operating environment.
- Monitor batch job processing pipelines, analyze JCL errors, resolve execution failures, and coordinate with application teams to manage job and system dependencies.
- Support workload scheduling tools such as CA-7, Control-M, or OPC/TWS to ensure timely and accurate execution of enterprise batch workloads.
- Conduct SMF/RMF analysis to identify performance bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and system trends, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
- Ensure systems comply with security, audit, and regulatory requirements, supporting compliance reviews and maintaining accurate operational documentation.
- Maintain SLA compliance across all supported services and produce clear, timely documentation of incidents, changes, and resolutions in line with ITSM standards.
- Provide on-call and after-hours production support as required, ensuring prompt response to critical system events outside of standard business hours.
What you’ll need to succeed (required skills)
- 10+ years of hands-on experience with IBM z/OS in an L2/L3 support capacity.
- Strong working knowledge of TSO/ISPF, SDSF, JCL, JES2/JES3, batch processing, and SMF/RMF analysis.
- Experience with workload scheduling tools (CA-7, Control-M, or OPC/TWS) in an enterprise batch environment.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across application and infrastructure teams.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future
Work model:
At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position in USA.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
“Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.”
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.