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Senior Engineer - Managed Services - Mainframe z/OS ISV

CDW · IL · Remote available · $107,300–$150,180 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a disaster recovery exercise you supported. What did you learn from it?

What they are checking: Whether they take DR seriously and treat each test as a chance to find and fix real gaps.

Tell me about a time you mentored a less experienced systems programmer.

What they are checking: Whether they share knowledge, which matters in a field where expertise is scarce and concentrated.

What would you do

An address space is abending after a product upgrade. Walk me through how you would debug it.

What they are checking: Their dump analysis and diagnostic method when a fix or upgrade causes a production problem.

A new customer is transitioning onto our managed service. How would you estimate and plan the technical work?

What they are checking: Their ability to scope transition projects and set realistic milestones and dates.

You estimated an upgrade at two weeks and it is clearly going to take four. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate slippage early and honestly instead of hoping to catch up.

About the work

Walk me through a z/OS installation you did using ServerPac. What did you customize, and what went wrong along the way?

What they are checking: Whether they have real hands-on ServerPac experience, which is the core purpose of this position.

How do you plan and apply PTFs on a regular schedule without disrupting a customer's production system?

What they are checking: Their discipline around maintenance, SMP/E and change control on systems that cannot go down.

Which ISV products from CA, BMC or Rocket Software have you installed and supported, and what issues came up?

What they are checking: Practical experience with the third-party products this role supports alongside the operating system.

How do you approach a performance issue on a large mainframe environment? Where do you look first?

What they are checking: Whether they use measurement data like RMF or SMF to find bottlenecks instead of guessing.

An auditor asks how you control changes to system libraries. How would you explain it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the controls that let mainframe environments pass audits at scale.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by CDW.

The primary purpose of this particular position is z/OS operating system installation and customization using the IBM ServerPac for z/OS process program. This position will apply operating system and program product fixes on a regular basis, as well as analyze and debug operating system and program product related issues. This role will also install and support commonly used ISV products (i.e. CA, BMC, Rocket Software). In addition, this position will also estimate and plan for installation and upgrade activities, as well as new customer transition projects. What you will do: • Provides technical assistance regarding Disaster Recovery (DR) exercises and Business Continuity Processes (BCP) • Ensures system improvements and/or modifications are implemented. Develops, enhances and/or supports technical approaches that allow successful audits and scalable implementations of large, complex mainframe environments • Identifies and resolves performance issues • Facilitates project planning efforts by establishing and meeting work estimates, target dates, milestones and schedules • Participates in ongoing development and improvement of installation standards • Provides team members with technical training and/or mentoring as needed • Provides primary support for reported problems related to software in assigned area of responsibility and related products • Fulfills ServiceNow requests for customers as they pertain to software in assigned area of responsibility and related products • Performs a variety of technical tasks in support of Managed Services customers. These may include, but are not limited to: • Installs, implements, maintains, upgrades, and troubleshoots client infrastructure solutions • Plans, develops, installs, configures, maintains, supports, and optimizes client network hardware, software, and communication links • Anticipates, mitigates, identifies, and responds to system performance issues • Ensures the integrity and security of enterprise data on host computers, multiple databases, and during data transfer in accordance to business needs and industry best-practices regarding privacy, security, and regulatory compliance • Performs database installations, updates/patches/upgrades, tuning, performance monitoring, replication, back-ups, security, user management, and resource management • Researches and makes recommendations on infrastructure products, services, and standards in support of procurement and development efforts • Participates in Disaster Recovery exercises and planning • Follows change control, incident response, and testing processes • Communicates and enforces, through system procedures, data storage retention policies • Monitors, analyzes, and predicts trends for equipment performance, space allocation, and data growth to recommend enhancements • Creates scripts to automate common tasks • Addresses and updates customer incident tickets and change orders, providing internal management and customer account managers with status information • Creates required reports in response to business user needs • Develops, documents, and maintains policies, procedures and associated training plans for systems and /or database administration and appropriate use • Develops reusable assets (templates, tools, etc) for the Managed Services practice • Works with account management personnel to participate on conference calls and perform tasks in support of the client relationship • Partners with the Managed Services Continuous Improvement team on pre-sales support activity and design and scoping of services • Provides technical perspective to ensure a realistic estimation of scope, cost and level of effort for proposal generation • Works with project managers in the development and implementation of project plans and timelines • Complies with all time compliance and time entry guidelines • Training/Certifications: Attends training sessions, and obtains industry related certifications as determined by management What we expect of you: • Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field and 5 years experience installing, maintaining, and supporting mainframe software products for IBM mainframes and performing system management functions (software installations, version upgrades, product maintenance, and configuration management), , OR • 9 years experience installing, maintaining, and supporting mainframe software products for IBM mainframes and performing system management functions (software installations, version upgrades, product maintenance, and configuration management) • Demonstrated experience with z/OSMF Configuration Assistant • Demonstrated communication and presentation skills • Demonstrated ability to execute tasks associated with customers’ disaster recovery plans • Demonstrated skills in the majority of the following • UNIX Systems Services • z/OS • REXX/CLIST • JCL • Demonstrated experience with ISV products including: • System Management: Tools for monitoring, managing and optimizing mainframe operations. • Security: Solutions for enhancing the security of the mainframe environments • Data management: Software for managing, storing and retrieving data efficiently • Application Development: Tools that aid in the development, testing, and deployment of mainframe operations • Performance Optimization: Products designed to improve the performance and efficiency of the mainframe system. • Demonstrated ability to implement and troubleshoot IT Infrastructure systems and configurations in designated area of specialty • Demonstrated ability to acquire further technical skills • Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills • Demonstrated ability to multitask and prioritize workload • Demonstrated customer service skills • Demonstrated ability to investigate problems and utilize problem solving techniques • Demonstrated ability to establish positive working relationships and work as a team player in a managed services environment • Demonstrated ability to be resourceful in working with disparate client and internal departments to deliver meaningful solutions • Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and leadership to less experienced technical team members • Demonstrated ability to develop strong customer relationships and trust to secure future business • Demonstrated experience with Software Vendors, i.e. Broadcom, Compuware, BMC, LRS and Syncort, a plus • Demonstrated experience with File Transfer Protocol (FTP)/Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) IP Connectivity, a plus • Managed Services experience, a plus Pay range: $107,300.00 - $150,180.00 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner’s mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances—not replaces—human creativity and decision-making. You don’t need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work. Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that’s curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what’s possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice. About Us CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That’s why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees—working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen. CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.

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