Principal Mainframe Configuration Management and z/OS Systems Architect

Principal, Infra Mainframe - zOS & Config Management

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

We are seeking Principal Mainframe Configuration Management and z/OS Systems Architect to lead architecture, design, standards, governance across IBM Z configuration management and z/OS systems programming. You will act as the design authority across IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, PR/SM, z/OS base, SMP/E, WLM, JES2, USS, and system-level security, ensuring stability, compliance, resilience, and operational readiness. The role includes governing the Managed Service Provider, reviewing designs and changes, setting engineering standards, validating deliverables, and driving quality across production, DR, and test environments. This is a mission-critical role supporting a regulated banking platform with a focus on availability, change control, audit readiness, and service resilience.

Key Skills and Expertise

Key skills include IODF, HCD, Parallel Sysplex, STP, PR/SM, z/OS, SMP/E, WLM, JES2, ACF2, RACF, USS, RMF, SMF, automation, change governance, MSP technical deliverables oversight, disaster recovery, performance tuning, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mainframe configuration and z/OS architecture across production, DR, and test estates.

• Define standards for IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, PR/SM, parmlib, proclib, and maintenance governance.
• Serve as design authority for high-risk changes, upgrades, hardware and sofrware refreshes, and recovery testing.
• Lead performance, resilience, configuration drift, and compliance reviews across the platform.
• Provide technical leadership across sysprog, infrastructure, operations, and audit stakeholders.
• Own z/OS base architecture, release strategy, SMP/E governance, maintenance planning, and currency management.
• Define parmlib, proclib, and system configuration standards across shared and LPAR-specific environments.
• Architect WLM, JES2, and USS services to support performance, workload priorities, and operational stability.
• Define SMF recording, monitoring feeds, and system data standards for capacity, compliance, and reporting.
• Lead upgrade strategy and architecture for core z/OS services, including communications, coupling, and runtime foundations.
• Own IBM Z configuration architecture across IODF/HCD, sysplex, STP, and PR/SM.
• Act as design authority for configuration changes, pre-IPL validation, and hardware refresh readiness.
• Define and govern sysplex, CF, CFRM, ARM, SFM, and CDS architecture.
• Set standards for STP, LPAR design, processor allocation, capping, and specialty engines.
• Lead automation and configuration management, including version control, drift detection, and change traceability.
• Build, validate, and troubleshoot IODF, STP, CFRM, and sysplex configurations and failures.
• Support AI-enabled validation and operational insight for configuration and platform health.
• Define and enforce engineering standards, validation gates, and control requirements across configuration and z/OS.
• Review and approve MSP designs, change plans, runbooks, RCAs, and technical deliverables.
• Review and approve MSP designs, runbooks, and change records before production execution.
• Assess MSP deliverables for quality, compliance, and evidence against bank standards.
• Own key z/OS administration areas including USS, SMF, TCP/IP, and related system configuration changes.
• Diagnose z/OS incidents using IPCS and lead technical root-cause analysis for platform issues.
• Provide technical authority for z/OS upgrades and maintenance, including pre-change validation and post-change sign-off.
• Govern MSP-led execution to ensure changes meet architecture, operational, and audit requirements.

Experience and Qualifications

15+ years of experience in IBM Z environments, including expertise in configuration management, sysplex architecture, and z/OS systems programming. Strong experience in regulated production environments, MSP governance, hardware refreshes, change control, incident analysis, performance management, and audit support is required.

Technical Skills - Must Have

Domain

Required knowledge

Configuration

IODF, HCD, IOCDS, CHPID, control unit and device definitions

Sysplex

Parallel Sysplex, CF, CFRM, XCF, ARM, SFM, CDS management

Timing and LPARs

STP, CTN, PR/SM, LPAR design, capping, specialty engines

z/OS Base

Parmlib, proclib, IPL, release strategy, symbolics

Maintenance

SMP/E, PTF lifecycle, HOLDDATA, service planning

Performance

WLM, RMF, SMF, capacity and performance analysis

Core Services

JES2, USS, RACF, TCP/IP, automation

Governance

MSP oversight, CAB, runbook review, standards, compliance

Technical Skills - Preferred

Domain

Preferred knowledge

Disaster Recovery

GDPS awareness and DR validation across sysplex environments

Middleware Awareness

Working knowledge of CICS TS, IBM MQ, and Db2 for z/OS

Modernisation

Ansible for Z, Git-based controls, zCX, AI-assisted operations

Tooling

IBM Z System Automation, Watsonx Assistant for Z

Certifications

IBM z/OS, Parallel Sysplex, RACF, or related certifications

Working with Us:

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com.

We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.

About Our Bangalore Office

The Northern Trust Bangalore office, established in 2005, is home to over 5,600 employees.  In this stunning office, space, we offer fantastic amenities which include our Arrival Hub – Jungle, the GameZone, and the Employee Experience Zone that appeal to both clients and employees. Learn more.

Experience Level

Senior Level