Principal Mainframe Engineer

The Principal Mainframe Engineer role is responsible for end‑to‑end technical leadership of enterprise mainframe systems, spanning research, architecture, design, implementation, and ongoing lifecycle management. This position establishes technical direction and engineering standards for the IBM mainframe environment, serving as a subject-matter authority for complex platform decisions that impact system reliability, performance, security, and scalability. The Principal Engineer provides expert guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, leads resolution of the most complex technical challenges, and partners with architecture and infrastructure stakeholders to align mainframe strategy with enterprise objectives. This role requires deep expertise in evolving mainframe & industry technologies to proactively drive adoption of industry best practices, tooling, and modernization approaches within Navy Federal’s mainframe environment. 

This position is eligible for the TalentQuest employee referral program. If an employee referred you for this job, please apply using the system-generated link that was sent to you.

Navy Federal Credit Union currently does not provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

• Collaborate with other high level IT professionals, business strategists, specialized technicians, business process experts, vendors, consultants, and/or business partners.
• Solves complex problems that have direct and important impact on strategic IT priorities and/or measurable business results.
• Credible expert advisor to peers and internal/external business partners; trusted advisor to Leadership.
• Creates improved IT materials, tools, work aids, technical standards, and processes.
• Coaches less experienced engineers.
• Collaborates on operational/tactical business issues with technology support teams and subject matter experts.
• Install, maintain, and administer z/OS operating system releases, 3rd party software products, & mainframe hardware.
• Troubleshoot IBM mainframe hardware, network, and software issues.
• Ensure the security and integrity of system and product solutions including compliance with Navy Federal, industry engineering and Information Security principles and practices.
• Perform engineering research, procurement, deployment, and configuration for new and modified systems.
• Present clear, organized, and concise information to all audiences through a variety of media to enable effective business decisions.
• Document standards and procedures for new system components, or modifications to existing components.
• Mentor others in the application of technologies, process changes, tools, and standards.
• Collaborate on operational/tactical business issues with internal business partner managers and subject matter experts.  
• Provide information to and effectively interacts with external vendors, suppliers, auditors, and business partners.
• Interface with application development/SRE to facilitate adoption of emerging technologies (RESTful APIs, Open Source tooling, and Ansible playbooks).
• Provide input and make budgetary recommendations regarding mainframe software and hardware.
• Lead others in the definition of project scope, plans, and deliverables.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or other related field or equivalent work experience.
• 15 years of experience in IBM mainframe, mainframe network, and related technologies.
• Advanced understanding of IBM mainframe peripheral architecture.
• Hands-on experience with mainframe operations.
• Significant experience leading, guiding, and coaching professional Information Technology staff.
• Advanced organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Experience with Agile work management techniques and tools.
• Experience with modern change management procedures and governance.
• Recent experience with modern cyber security procedures and governance.
• Expert research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills.
• Varying experience with:
  • z/OS
  • GDPS/PPRC (MM/GM/GC/LCP/SGC – MGM4SITE) 
    DASD Management (DFP, HSM, volume provisioning, etc.)
  • Tape Management (RMM is a plus)
  • Virtual Tape Environments
  • Communication Server (VTAM, TCPIP, OMPROUTE, SNMP, SMTP, Policy Agent – AT-TLS and IPSec)
  • FTP, FTPS, SFTP/SSH, VFTP, Tectia SSH, Co:Z SFTP
  • Mainframe network troubleshooting (Tracing - System SSL, Packet, OSAENTA, IPCS)
  • z/OS Cryptographic Services (ICSF, Crypto card, certificate mgmt, keyrings/keystore) 
  • zSecure (RACF)
  • System Automation (Netview and REXX)
  • zSeries hardware provisioning, setup, and administration (HMC and SE)
  • zCDP
  • zOSMF
  • HTTP Server / Apache
  • UNIX System Services (including ZFS administration)
  • HCD
  • WLM
  • SMP/E
  • z/Architecture Assembler, COBOL, SAS/MXG, REXX
  • CICS
  •  DB2

Desired Qualifications

• Expert level experience with IBM GDPS.
• Expert level experience with Mainframe network setup, administration, support, and troubleshooting.
• DEVOPs/SRE experience using Ansible/AAP, Python, and other automation tooling.
• ServiceNow.
• Azure ADO.
• Knowledge of Navy Federal products, services, programs, policies, and procedures.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Location: Remote

Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.

Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.

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Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.

Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.

Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.

Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.