Software Engineer

The Software Engineer (5–9 years of experience) is a critical technical role responsible for driving the development, optimization, and data lifecycle management of mission-critical enterprise applications on IBM DB2/zOS. The ideal candidate possesses deep, hands-on mastery of COBOL/DB2 program engineering—including embedded SQL, host variables, cursor processing, DB2 precompile/bind steps, and robust SQLCODE exception handling—alongside strong capabilities in writing DB2 Stored Procedures and custom JCL scripts to execute newly built programs. Beyond core application engineering, this role is heavily focused on enterprise data governance and migration support, requiring proven experience in maintaining and managing an Enterprise Data Dictionary, executing Production data unloads using DB2 utilities, and performing seamless environment-to-environment data refreshes/copies to enable comprehensive migration and integration testing. Candidates must exhibit advanced analytical and diagnostic skills, utilizing tools like Xpediter and CICS Explorer for step-by-step interactive debugging of batch and online workflows, while analyzing and optimizing complex job execution flows within the CA7 Scheduler to ensure high-volume batch stability, data integrity, and peak system performance.

1. COBOL/DB2 Application Engineering & Development

• Program Design & Enhancement: Design, code, test, and maintain robust COBOL batch programs and online components with embedded DB2 SQL statements.
• COBOL/DB2 Architecture Mastery: Manage host variables, table join logic, cursor operations (single and multi-row fetches), DB2 precompile, and plan/package BIND processes.
• DB2 Stored Procedures: Write, deploy, and optimize DB2 Stored Procedures on z/OS to deliver efficient business logic and database processing.
• Error & Exception Handling: Implement structured SQLCODE and SQLSTATE error handling routines to prevent unhandled abends and ensure data processing integrity.

2. Database Scripting, SQL Tuning & Data Governance

• SQL Development & Optimization: Write, test, and tune complex SQL queries, DDL, and DML scripts to ensure optimal execution performance and minimal resource consumption on IBM DB2/zOS.
• Data Dictionary Management: Actively maintain and update the Enterprise Data Dictionary for large-scale applications, ensuring standard naming conventions, metadata accuracy, schema consistency, and data lineage documentation.
• Production Data Operations: Perform Production data unloads using DB2 utilities (UNLOAD, LOAD, REORG, RUNSTATS) while adhering to enterprise data security and privacy guidelines.
• Environment Data Refresh & Migration: Execute end-to-end data copy and refresh operations from Production to lower environments (DEV/INT/QA) to support migration testing, integration cycles, and QA releases.

3. JCL Engineering & Batch Workload Management

• JCL Scripting: Write, modify, and optimize Job Control Language (JCL) scripts and PROC parameters to execute newly developed and existing COBOL programs, DB2 utilities, and file processing routines.
• Batch Flow Analysis (CA7): Analyze, track, and manage batch job dependency chains in CA7 Scheduler, ensuring correct execution order, trigger configurations, and smooth batch completion within scheduled SLAs.
• Batch Performance Optimization: Review execution logs, CPU utilization, and I/O rates of batch runs to identify and address processing bottlenecks.

4. Advanced Debugging, Troubleshooting & Root-Cause Analysis

• Interactive Debugging: Utilize Xpediter and CICS Explorer for step-by-step interactive debugging of batch COBOL programs, Stored Procedures, and online CICS transaction logic.
• Abend Resolution: Apply strong analytical skills to analyze system dumps, trace abend codes (S0C4, S806, S0C7, SQL negative return codes), and identify root causes for quick remediation.
• Environment Setup & Support: Assist testing teams by resolving test-data bottlenecks, file allocation issues, and execution errors during regression and migration test phases.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Compliance

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner closely with Database Administrators (DBAs), Mainframe System Programmers, QA Engineers, and Business Analysts to support environment alignment and code deployments.
• Documentation & Standards: Maintain thorough technical documentation, including job flow diagrams, data mapping specs, and release installation instructions.
• Agile & SDLC Participation: Participate in sprint planning, code reviews, technical spike sessions, and change management processes (Jira, ServiceNow, ChangeMan/Endevor).

1. Core Technical Qualifications (Must-Have)

• COBOL / DB2 Program Engineering:
  • In-depth, practical mastery of COBOL/DB2 program design, including embedded SQL, host variables, static/dynamic SQL, single/multi-row cursors, DB2 precompile and bind procedures, package/plan management, and SQLCODE / SQLSTATE error handling.
• Database Management & SQL (IBM DB2/zOS):
  • Strong expertise in IBM DB2/zOS relational database architecture, writing and tuning complex DDL/DML SQL scripts, and developing DB2 Stored Procedures.
• JCL & Batch Engineering:
  • Proficiency in writing, configuring, and optimizing Job Control Language (JCL) scripts from scratch to execute new COBOL programs, utility jobs, and batch workflows.
• Debugging & Diagnostic Tools:
  • Hands-on, practical experience using Xpediter and CICS Explorer for step-by-step interactive debugging of batch COBOL programs, Stored Procedures, and online CICS transactions.
• Workload Automation & Scheduling:
  • Practical experience with CA7 Scheduler (or equivalent mainframe schedulers), including analyzing batch job dependency flows, trigger configurations, restart logic, and job flow troubleshooting.
• Data Lifecycle, Refresh & Migration Operations:
  • Demonstrated capability in executing Production data unloads (using DB2 utilities such as UNLOAD / LOAD), performing data copies/refreshes across lower environments (DEV/INT/QA), and setting up test data to support migration testing.
• Data Governance:
  • Hands-on experience maintaining and managing an Enterprise Data Dictionary for large-scale applications, ensuring metadata integrity, naming conventions, and data lineage documentation.

2. Analytical & Soft Skills

• Analytical & Root-Cause Debugging: Strong analytical skills to isolate complex system abends (S0C4, S806, etc.), trace batch job dependencies, and resolve logic defects or database bottlenecks efficiently.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills to articulate technical specifications, document data dictionary updates, and collaborate across teams.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to partner effectively with DBAs, System Programmers, QA teams, and Release Management engineers.

3. Preferred / Good-to-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Exposure to Mainframe DevOps and modern tooling (e.g., Zowe, Endevor, ChangeMan, Git-based mainframe workflows).
• Working knowledge of Agile/Scrum delivery methodologies and tools (Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow).
• Experience with data masking, anonymization, or security protocols during Production-to-Lower environment data refreshes.
• Handson experience in Java or any other Object Oriented Applications
• Handson Experience in Spring / Springboot framework