Description : Associate | Mainframe Database Specialist

Experience : 8+ Years

Location : Pune (Hybrid/On-site)

Notice Period : Immediate to 60 Days

Educational Qualification : Bachelors degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field.

Role Summary :

We are seeking a highly experienced Mainframe Database Specialist to lead the administration, performance tuning, and architectural integrity of our DB2 z/OS environments.

In this senior-level Associate role, you will be the technical authority responsible for ensuring maximum database availability, security, and recovery across mission-critical systems.

You will handle complex production support, lead Disaster Recovery (DR) drills, and drive capacity planning to support enterprise growth.

Beyond technical execution, you will act as a mentor to junior DBAs, overseeing the deployment of advanced DB2 Utilities and optimizing system performance.

The ideal candidate possesses deep forensic-level troubleshooting skills and a proven track record of managing large-scale, high-concurrency mainframe database ecosystems.

Responsibilities :

- Database Administration & Governance : Lead the end-to-end administration of DB2 on Mainframe (z/OS), ensuring strict adherence to security, availability, and compliance standards.

- Performance Tuning & Optimization : Conduct deep-dive performance monitoring and tuning of subsystem parameters, buffer pools, and SQL queries to eliminate bottlenecks.

- Utility Management : Execute and optimize complex DB2 Utilities, including REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, RECOVER, and LOAD/UNLOAD, to maintain data health and structural integrity.

- Backup & Recovery Orchestration : Design and implement robust backup and recovery strategies, taking full ownership of high-stakes Disaster Recovery (DR) planning and execution.

- Capacity & Storage Planning : Analyze data growth trends and manage storage allocation to ensure seamless scalability and cost-effective resource utilization.

- Incident & Production Support : Provide Tier-3 technical support for complex production incidents, performing root cause analysis (RCA) to prevent recurrence.

- Security & Access Control : Implement and govern database security protocols, managing administrative authorities and auditing data access to protect sensitive enterprise assets.

- Technical Leadership & Mentorship : Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior team members, conducting technical reviews and fostering a culture of excellence.

- DR/System Migration Support : Lead database-level activities during system upgrades, migrations, and mandatory maintenance windows to ensure zero-impact transitions.

- Cross-Functional Collaboration : Partner with System Programmers, Developers, and Storage Administrators to align database architecture with overall infrastructure goals.

Technical Requirements :

- Core DB2 Expertise : 8+ years of dedicated experience as a DB2 DBA on z/OS Mainframe platforms.

- Utility Proficiency : Expert-level mastery of standard IBM and third-party DB2 Utilities (REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, etc.

- z/OS Environment Knowledge : Deep understanding of the z/OS environment, including JCL, TSO/ISPF, and VSAM.

- Performance Tooling : Hands-on experience with performance monitoring tools such as IBM Omegamon, CA Insight, or MainView.

- Recovery Logic : Proven ability to manage complex recovery scenarios, including Point-in-Time (PIT) recovery and catalog/directory recovery.

- SQL Analysis : Advanced ability to analyze and optimize complex SQL and explain paths to improve application throughput.

Preferred Skills :

- Leadership Acumen : Demonstrated experience in leading small technical squads or mentoring junior professionals in a high-pressure environment.

- Analytical Thinking : Exceptional ability to deconstruct complex system failures into manageable technical components using first-principles thinking.

- Communication Mastery : Strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate technical risks and recovery strategies to non-technical stakeholders.

- Automation Mindset : Experience in automating routine DBA tasks using REXX or CLIST to reduce operational toil.

- Adaptability : Capability to work efficiently within an Agile/Scrum framework and manage multiple high-priority production tasks simultaneously