Mainframe System Administrator

Job ID: 2611893
Location: Remote Work, VA, United States
Date Posted: Apr 27, 2026
Category: Information Technology
Subcategory: Sys Administrator
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: No
Minimum Clearance Required: None
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Public Trust
Potential for Remote Work: Hybrid
Benefits: Click here

Description

SAIC is proud to support the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under the Infrastructure Support Services (ISS) contract. We are seeking a seasoned and dynamic Mainframe System Administrator who will play a critical role in maintaining, optimizing, and securing FDIC’s mainframe infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and support of mission-critical operations. This position requires strong technical expertise, a solid understanding of mainframe technologies, and the ability to effectively manage complex IT systems in a high-security environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mainframe System Administration and Maintenance
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations, implementation, and monitoring of mainframe systems including system performance, capacity planning, and resource allocation to meet FDIC's requirements.
  • Perform system upgrades, patches, and maintenance of mainframe operating systems (e.g., IBM z/OS) and related components.'
  • Assist with disaster recovery planning, testing, and implementation to ensure the availability of systems during unplanned outages or emergencies.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and network connectivity issues on the mainframe platform.
  • Hardware configuration using the Hardware Management Console.
• Security and Compliance
  • Implement and maintain security policies, tools, and best practices in accordance with FDIC guidelines to safeguard systems and data.
  • Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with federal regulations (e.g., FISMA, NIST, and FDIC IT policies).
  • Manage access controls, user permissions, and authentication mechanisms to ensure system integrity and prevent unauthorized access.
• Support and Optimization
  • Provide support on mainframe applications including COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, and other mainframe-specific technologies.
  • Provide support to other technical groups within the organization as well as end-users when needed.
  • Support may be in the form of direct technical assistance with software and/or hardware configuration and use, advanced problem determination and root cause analysis, and assistance in responding to audit and security configuration inquiries.
  • Monitor system performance and proactively address bottlenecks or inefficiencies. Recommend solutions to optimize performance.
  • Serve as an escalation point for technical issues, working collaboratively with internal teams and vendors to resolve incidents.
• Project and Resource Management
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and FDIC stakeholders to design, plan, and implement mainframe-related projects.
  • Support the migration of legacy applications and environments to align with FDIC’s evolving technical strategies.
  • Provide technical expertise for special projects and new initiatives.
• Documentation and Reporting
  • Maintain up-to-date documentation on configurations, procedures, and system changes.
  • Prepare and present regular status updates and performance reports to FDIC leadership and stakeholders.
  • Contribute to knowledge-sharing efforts to enhance team efficiency and readiness.
    

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience and 5 years' experience as a Mainframe System Administrator or in a similar role; experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• 10 - 15+ years performing general z/OS systems programming tasks.
• Experience installing and maintaining z/OS operating system and 3rd party products using z/OSMF.
• Experience with installation and configuration of z/OSMF.
• Experience with installation and configuration of automation tools (Control-O/M highly desired
• Experience with using Omegamon Monitors for z/OS and Networks.
• Experience with utility programs and products including: ISPF, IDCAMS, CLISTS/REXX, SORT, TSO, JCL, Workload Manager (WLM), SMP/E, JCL and assorted system monitor tools.
• Experience with SYSPLEX environment changes, such as changes to CFRM, LOGR and WLM policies.
• Experience coding in Rexx; TSO Clist (USS Shell and Windows PowerShell desired).
• Basic understanding of DB2 for z/OS.Expertise in IBM z/OS and related mainframe tools and utilities (e.g., JCL, TSO/ISPF, VTAM, RACF, DFSMS, etc.). Understanding of mainframe networking concepts and protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, VTAM/SNA).
• Experience in mainframe performance tuning, capacity management, and workload balancing.
• Knowledge of IT security principles, practices, and federal regulatory compliance (e.g., FISMA, NIST standards).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• U.S. citizenship required due to federal contracting requirements. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance.

Preferred:

• Experience providing IT support in federal government environments, preferably with FDIC or financial regulatory agencies.
• Familiarity with mainframe automation tools and monitoring solutions (e.g., IBM System Automation, CA Workload Automation).
• Background in implementing mainframe modernization initiatives such as data migration or integrating with cloud or distributed computing environments.
• Knowledge of database management systems (DB2, IMS) on the mainframe.
• Experience with Java, JSON and XML desired.
• Comprehensive knowledge of z/Enterprise server technology, software technology, systems analysis, research techniques, systems development standards and quality and cost controls.
  Additional Information
• Work Location: Must be available for on-site support at FDIC offices when required, with some flexibility for remote work as determined by project and program needs.
• Contracting Requirements: As this position supports a contract with FDIC, the candidate must comply with all federal guidelines, security regulations, and project-specific requirements.
• Travel: Limited travel may be required for disaster recovery activities, system implementations, or team meetings.

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

Apply Now >