Senior Systems Engineer (Mainframe CoE)

Location Manchester
Discipline: Retail Banking
Job type: Permanent
Contact name: Zoe Gilbert

Contact email: careers@Co-operativebank.co.uk
Job ref: 008522
Published: about 2 years ago

Senior Systems Engineer – Mainframe CoE

Salary: Up to £55,000

Full time: 35 hours

Location: Remote working/Manchester office base

 

The Co-operative Bank are longstanding advocates of hybrid and flexible working. During the pandemic our colleagues are working from home fully supported by our bank. As we look to the future, we will continue to offer remote working in roles that allow with the opportunity to spend 1-2 days in the office where desired.

 

Thinking of a move to an ethical organisation? Why not join the UK’s original ethical Bank in our industry leading Mainframe Centre of Excellence?

 

We are excited to announce a brand new opportunity for a Senior Systems Engineer. This role is responsible for providing expertise in mainframe connectivity, middleware and tooling configuration on the mainframe platform. You will gain valuable experience, working with Application Development Teams, Mainframe Architects and third parties supplying our mainframe Platform and Software.

 

What will this role involve?  

*       You will act as a Technical expert in application delivery on the IBM Mainframe platform, able to act on the Banks behalf as a Technical lead and “informed purchaser” on third party development activities. 

*       Providing design expertise on key products on the mainframe platform, such as CICS and MQ, to design and development teams, with the objective of producing resilient and cost effective solutions.

*       Operating as part of a cross-platform, collaborative team developing new design patterns and techniques for application delivery, including initial build, QA, Unit and SIT. Operating within the Bank’s Design Governance processes, as part of the wider design community.

*       Provide “hands on” configuration and troubleshooting in non-Production environments.

*       Provide triage and troubleshooting capability to support new patterns as they are implemented into Production, as well as providing troubleshooting support to major incidents in production

*       Articulate components of an outcome delivery and either assess the effort required, or challenge estimates provided.

*       Identify investment opportunities for driving platform efficiency, or reducing technical debt.

*       Identity and justify investment opportunities for reducing the cycle time and cost of change on the platform, helping lead the Bank toward efficient change delivery.

*       Advise on implementation approach for low risk technical change, as required.

*       Creating and/or validating test procedures and scenarios for the pre-SIT and UAT phases

 

We are interested in:

 

       Practical, advanced knowledge of z/OS Communications Server* concepts

       Practical, advanced knowledge of VSAM concepts and Access Method services*

 

*       In depth practical experience / understanding across a range of:  

 

o   Workload Automation products like CA7 & CA11 & CA-OPSMVS

o   Coding REXX, ISPF and CLIST

o   Practical knowledge of SCLM tools like Endevor and code promotion procedures – preferably administration experience

o   Data management/ Storage Management utilities like CA1, DFDSS, SORT, IEBCOPY, File Manager, DFSMS, DFHSM, Datacom  

o   Strong understanding of security concepts with RACF, zSecure and Digital Certificates

o   Problem management utilities like Debug Tool and Fault Analyser and Omegamon for CICS

o   CICS Tailoring and Administration

o   MQ Administration for z/OS

o   z/OS Connect Administration

o   z/OS Container Extensions

 

*       Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical details to a non-technical audience.

*       The ability to work with a structured and methodical approach, combined with an enquiring mind.

*       An understanding of, and a willingness to adhere to, formal change control procedures and disciplines.

*       A self-starter who delivers high quality work and can adapt to new challenges, either on their own or as part of a team.

*       Evidence of being an active member of a technical community and providing improvements and increased value to an organisation

*       Is at ease in providing personal and technical feedback and coaching to others, thereby enhancing team delivery.

 
 

What can you expect from us?

*       Flexible and remote working

*       27 days holiday, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days

  • Competitive pension / income protection / life assurance

  • Positive, friendly work culture that promotes work life balance 

  • Commitment from employers on continued learning & development 

  • Wellbeing support ‘Help@Hand’ offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP’s for both you and your family.  

  • 2 paid days for volunteering per year

  • ‘MyReward’ corporate discount for over 800 retailers and Cycle to Work Scheme.  

  • Family friendly policies and supportive working environment

  • Recognition scheme and a culture in which we celebrate success 

  • Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.

 

This role won’t be around for long, so we would advise to get your application to us as soon as possible by applying today. Unfortunately, we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.  

 

Our Bank is committed to continuing to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment where all colleagues can fulfil their potential. We welcome applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and lifestyles who can work with us in maintaining a culture of belonging, where people are valued and respected. If you have a disability as defined by the 2010 equality act please let us know on your application.

 

As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.

 

Please note we may withdraw this vacancy once sufficient applications have been reached.