J-1 Visa Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer Jobs
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer roles in the U.S. are typically accessible through the J-1 Trainee or Research Scholar program category, depending on your experience level and institutional affiliation. Securing J-1 sponsorship requires a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019, separate from your host employer.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary
The Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer provides Automation support for multiple clients and on-going projects that could require the development, testing, and implementation of new Automation rules, programs, and other processes. Must be able to work in a multi lpar client environment. Also assist team members and other areas with technical questions and problem resolution. Functional knowledge of z/OS Opsmvs or z/SA Automation or both products and detailed knowledge of rexx programming and Netview.
Key Areas of Focus for this Role
- Lead self and others and/or established as Product SME and/or established as specialist
- Understands how whole picture aligns to overall Ensono strategy
- Provide thought leadership within the Automation team.
- Understand how to configure and support System state manager.
- Understand how to configure and support Opslog archive process.
- Understand how to configure and support MSF and the understanding of EPI.
- Processes communication skills to participate in Client meetings and new business deals.
- Work in a Team environment with Automation team and other State holders.
- Review and analyze existing automated processes and improve to standard if required.
- Enhance the performance of others through mentoring and guiding
- Design automated monitoring techniques for problem identification and prevention
- Provide and document problem analysis, resolution, and prevention, designing procedures and best practice techniques
- Owner of overly complex assignments
- Understanding of zSA architecture
- Defining automation policy
- Defining message automation especially EMM
- zSA commands
- Handling zSA defined resources / modifying goals
- Installation and upgrade experience
Required Qualifications
To be considered for this career opportunity, it is important that you meet all Required Qualifications. Candidates that may meet some, but not all, Other Qualifications are still encouraged to apply.
- Ten years hands on/industry experience with z/OS, Opsmvs, z/SA
- Bachelor’s degree required and/or equivalent work experience.
Preferred
- Ability to perform skill set of an Automation Mainframe System Programmer
- Ability to perform complex Automation changes without failure.
- Ability to perform and lead complex projects
- Ability to mentor and show leadership qualities
Why Ensono?
Ensono is a place to make better happen – for our clients and for your career. You can do great things through innovation or collaboration, by learning or volunteering, or to promote diversity and inclusion. You can do great things for your own health or for a healthier planet. Whatever it means to you to do great things we want Ensono to be the place you can do it. We are a client-facing business, but we do encourage clients to allow us to work remotely most of the time so if you are not required to be on a client site, you can choose to work from home or in our Ensono offices.
Some of our benefits include:
- Unlimited Paid Days Off
- Three health plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield
- 401k with company match
- Eligibility for dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life and AD&D coverage, and flexible spending accounts
- Paid Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Sabbatical Leave
- Education Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance or 529 College Funding
- Enhanced fertility coverage
- Wellness program
- Flexible work schedule
- Depending on location, ability to take advantage of fitness centers
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this role is $85,000 to $148,000 annually based on a full-time schedule. Please note that placement in the range may vary based on numerous factors including but not limited to skills, experience, internal equity, and business needs. In addition to base salary, other compensation programs, depending on eligibility, include an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, and an equity grant under our Associate Equity Appreciation Program.
Ensono is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment to our Associates and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.
Pay transparency nondiscrimination statement/posting OFCCP’s pay transparency policy can be found on OFCCP’s website. If you need accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know or email USTalentAcquisition@ensono.com.
Position Summary
The Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer provides Automation support for multiple clients and on-going projects that could require the development, testing, and implementation of new Automation rules, programs, and other processes. Must be able to work in a multi lpar client environment. Also assist team members and other areas with technical questions and problem resolution. Functional knowledge of z/OS Opsmvs or z/SA Automation or both products and detailed knowledge of rexx programming and Netview.
Key Areas of Focus for this Role
- Lead self and others and/or established as Product SME and/or established as specialist
- Understands how whole picture aligns to overall Ensono strategy
- Provide thought leadership within the Automation team.
- Understand how to configure and support System state manager.
- Understand how to configure and support Opslog archive process.
- Understand how to configure and support MSF and the understanding of EPI.
- Processes communication skills to participate in Client meetings and new business deals.
- Work in a Team environment with Automation team and other State holders.
- Review and analyze existing automated processes and improve to standard if required.
- Enhance the performance of others through mentoring and guiding
- Design automated monitoring techniques for problem identification and prevention
- Provide and document problem analysis, resolution, and prevention, designing procedures and best practice techniques
- Owner of overly complex assignments
- Understanding of zSA architecture
- Defining automation policy
- Defining message automation especially EMM
- zSA commands
- Handling zSA defined resources / modifying goals
- Installation and upgrade experience
Required Qualifications
To be considered for this career opportunity, it is important that you meet all Required Qualifications. Candidates that may meet some, but not all, Other Qualifications are still encouraged to apply.
- Ten years hands on/industry experience with z/OS, Opsmvs, z/SA
- Bachelor’s degree required and/or equivalent work experience.
Preferred
- Ability to perform skill set of an Automation Mainframe System Programmer
- Ability to perform complex Automation changes without failure.
- Ability to perform and lead complex projects
- Ability to mentor and show leadership qualities
Why Ensono?
Ensono is a place to make better happen – for our clients and for your career. You can do great things through innovation or collaboration, by learning or volunteering, or to promote diversity and inclusion. You can do great things for your own health or for a healthier planet. Whatever it means to you to do great things we want Ensono to be the place you can do it. We are a client-facing business, but we do encourage clients to allow us to work remotely most of the time so if you are not required to be on a client site, you can choose to work from home or in our Ensono offices.
Some of our benefits include:
- Unlimited Paid Days Off
- Three health plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield
- 401k with company match
- Eligibility for dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life and AD&D coverage, and flexible spending accounts
- Paid Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Sabbatical Leave
- Education Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance or 529 College Funding
- Enhanced fertility coverage
- Wellness program
- Flexible work schedule
- Depending on location, ability to take advantage of fitness centers
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this role is $85,000 to $148,000 annually based on a full-time schedule. Please note that placement in the range may vary based on numerous factors including but not limited to skills, experience, internal equity, and business needs. In addition to base salary, other compensation programs, depending on eligibility, include an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, and an equity grant under our Associate Equity Appreciation Program.
Ensono is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment to our Associates and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.
Pay transparency nondiscrimination statement/posting OFCCP’s pay transparency policy can be found on OFCCP’s website. If you need accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know or email USTalentAcquisition@ensono.com.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer
Document your mainframe specialization before applying
Compile evidence of hands-on experience with z/OS, COBOL, JCL, or CICS in a portfolio or technical CV. J-1 Trainee and Research Scholar applications require detailed proof of your field-specific background, not just general IT credentials.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar eligibility early
The J-1 Trainee category suits professionals with a degree plus one year of experience or five years of mainframe work without a degree. Research Scholar applies if you're conducting formal research at a university or research institute. Confirm which fits your profile before pursuing host employers.
Target host employers with active mainframe infrastructure
Federal agencies, large financial institutions, and legacy enterprise IT departments run production mainframe environments. These organizations are far more likely to host J-1 Trainees for mainframe work than cloud-first tech startups, which rarely maintain z/OS systems.
Search for J-1-compatible mainframe roles on Migrate Mate
Filter by role and employer type to surface Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer positions at organizations that understand J-1 host requirements. Migrate Mate shows which employers have a history of working with international candidates, saving you from cold-applying to sponsors-unfamiliar hiring teams.
Build a training plan aligned with OFLC standards
Your designated sponsor needs a structured Training Plan (DS-7002) before issuing the DS-2019. Map each mainframe skill you'll develop, the supervision structure, and measurable outcomes. Vague plans citing general IT training are frequently rejected by sponsors.
Verify the host employer can satisfy wage requirements
Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the offered salary meets the prevailing wage for mainframe programmer roles in the host employer's location. A wage below the DOL benchmark can delay or block your training program approval by the designated sponsor.
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Find Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer JobsSenior Mainframe Systems Programmer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer?
Most Senior Mainframe Systems Programmers qualify under the J-1 Trainee category, which covers professionals with a relevant degree plus at least one year of field experience, or five years of mainframe experience without a degree. If your role involves academic research at a university or research institute, the Research Scholar category may apply instead. Your designated sponsor confirms eligibility before issuing the DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa, the employer or someone else?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or a university exchange office issue the DS-2019 and oversee compliance. Your host employer provides the mainframe position and the work environment, but the designated sponsor holds legal responsibility for your exchange program.
How do I find host employers open to J-1 Trainees in mainframe roles?
Mainframe positions are concentrated in banking, insurance, federal agencies, and large enterprise IT departments. Migrate Mate lets you search for Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer roles and filter for employers familiar with international candidates and J-1 host requirements, which narrows your list to organizations already prepared for the host employer documentation process.
Does the J-1 Trainee category carry a two-year home residency requirement?
It depends on your country of origin and your program's funding source. The two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) applies if your government or an international organization funded your exchange, or if your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List maintained by the State Department. Your designated sponsor can confirm whether your specific situation triggers this requirement before you accept a host employer offer.
What documentation does a Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer need before the DS-2019 can be issued?
Your designated sponsor will require a completed DS-7002 Training Plan, proof of your mainframe qualifications such as transcripts or employment records, a letter from the host employer confirming the position and supervision structure, and evidence of health insurance meeting State Department minimums. Incomplete or vague training plans are the most common reason sponsors delay or decline to issue the DS-2019 for technical IT trainees.
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