Mainframe Engineer (COBOL/Cold Fusion)

Overview

Pyramid is seeking a talented Mainframe Engineer with depth of experience in analyzing requirements, conceiving solutions, developing software, creating and executing test scripts, and debugging finished products to meet operational needs.

 

This role involves active participation in the DevSecOps lifecycle and adherence to Agile methodologies within our customer's Integration Process framework. You will work closely with stakeholders to support both legacy mainframe systems and contribute to modernization initiatives, including the integration of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Responsibilities

Requirements Analysis & Solution Design:

• Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze business or system-level requirements and determine functional needs, specifically assisting in defining new application implementation requirements, to include the generation of Epics and translation to Features and User Stories which make up the Product Roadmap and Product Increment Plans.
• Translate requirements into scalable mainframe solutions, identifying potential system dependencies or impacts to legacy or dependent systems.
• Recommend alternatives on dependencies within and outside the product to reduce risk as new capabilities are introduced and current systems are retired.
• Actively participate in collaborative efforts with the Government to define requirements, team composition, and deliverables for Execution Plans (EPs) for individual efforts, which may involve small, medium, large, or extra-large teams.

 Application Development:

• Design, code, and debug mainframe applications using technologies such as COBOL, IBM Db2 (including Mainframe Database System Administration), IMS, CICS, JCL, VSAM, TSO/ISPF, REXX, IDMS, DYL-260/280, ENDEVOR, IBM Message Queue (MQ), IBM Installation Manager, IBM Mainframe – Z/OS, IBM Middleware/WRS Stack, and IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS).
• Follow established coding standards and ensure solutions are secure, efficient, and maintainable, adhering to private sector best practices and VA's DevSecOps policy.
• Assist with database solutions and designs for data migrations for implementations at VA sites.
• Assist with the integration of additional data elements and support Mainframe connection strings and database loads for Open Systems (e.g., FCM, FRN)
• Analyze, redevelop, and add to existing suite of reports
• Create source code, table maintenance updates, SQL scripts, or updated documentation associated with remediation
• Perform periodic and ad hoc table maintenance, including reference table updates, distribution of code set updates, and data corrections such as batch data update scripts
• Support updates required for appropriate Data Dictionaries and offsite data storage

 Application Maintenance & Optimization:

• Monitor system performance and user feedback to identify enhancement opportunities
• Implement updates, bug fixes, and performance improvements to ensure optimal functionality of legacy systems, including resolving issues not related to base (non-proprietary) COBOL and base SAS code
• Support end-to-end sustainment and annual close activities for FMS (Financial Management System), which is a complex, labor-intensive process requiring 24/7 support during critical phases (Mock Close, Annual Close Part 1, and Annual Close Part 2)
• Optimize FMS nightly batch processing to ensure efficiency
• Support automation initiatives and tools, utilizing Keysight Eggplant or similar automation tools, for reporting automation and new automation requests
• Assist with researching, migrating, testing, and scheduling jobs from CA-7 Batch Processing to similar tools like Control-M

 Production & Client Support:

• Partner with IT Operations and Customer Service teams to resolve issues, support end users, and troubleshoot production defects, providing after-hours support on a rotating basis, including weekends and holidays, for abnormal operating events (ABENDS), maintenance, issue resolution, and troubleshooting
• Specifically, fix all production abends (e.g., batch job abends, online abends, PFRN abends) in a timely manner to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Resolve all production issues including those related to SFTP, Reports, batch processing, online processing, and outbound/inbound interfaces
• Document and present Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Issue Papers during an issue, and an After-Action Report (AAR) after issue resolution
• Provide day-to-day technical knowledge and knowledge-transfer on how to utilize the financial management system to customer staff.

 Code Quality & Documentation:

• Write clean, self-documenting code that complies with organizational standards and contractual naming c