Mainframe System Administrator

Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Dillard's is seeking an ambitious, seasoned Mainframe System Administrator to join our team! The mainframe is the heartbeat of Dillard's, and we need someone who can make valuable contributions to maintaining and improving it. This is a rare opportunity to expand your expertise and share your knowledge while learning new things in the process.

THE TEAM

You'll be joining our Mainframe System and Storage Administration Team, the backbone of Dillard's corporate mainframe infrastructure. We support a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on system performance, security, reliability, and continuous improvement.

We pride ourselves on mutual respect, a strong work ethic, and a true team spirit — we're always ready to jump in and help one another. Success here means being self-motivated, a natural problem-solver, passionate about knowledge-sharing, and committed to operating with the highest integrity.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Administer and maintain z/OS systems to ensure optimal performance

Support and manage core z/OS utilities including TSO, ISPF, IDCAMS, IEFBR14, SMPE, HCD, and GDPS

Collaborate with developers to troubleshoot Batch and CICS COBOL issues

Diagnose and resolve JCL, JES2, VSAM, TSO, VTAM, TCP/IP, and RACF-related problems

Partner with our online security team to ensure system safety and compliance

Maintain and enhance system parameters and parmlib settings

Work with Operations to proactively monitor, maintain, and IPL systems for better reliability and consistency

Develop, test, and execute disaster recovery strategies

Harden security and remediate vulnerabilities across supported infrastructure

Participate in an on-call rotation to keep systems running 24/7

THE MUST HAVES

5+ years of mainframe experience

Solid experience with most of the following: RACF, SMPE, VTAM, REXX, System Exits, WLM, zSecure, NetView, AT-TLS, SyncSort MFX, IBM Assembler

Strong verbal and written communication skills — with a positive, team-first attitude

Ability to work under pressure, quickly learn new concepts, and thrive in a dynamic environment

Talent for managing a busy project list while handling unexpected challenges smoothly

Availability to work onsite at our Corporate Office in Little Rock, AR

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship

THE NICE TO HAVES

Interest in learning Z Storage

Experience with IBM Safeguarded Copy, Cyber Vault, COBOL, and Splunk

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU'LL

Build a strong, high-level understanding of Dillard's mainframe environment

Connect and collaborate with key areas across IT to resolve access issues and navigate key systems (with team support)

Meet regularly with your team lead to ask questions, fill knowledge gaps, and get familiar with the team culture

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL

Partner with teammates to fully document at least one product, preparing to serve as secondary support

Develop an understanding of our daily communications and escalation emails, and ask great questions to build deeper knowledge

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU'LL

Begin making small system changes independently

Step up as primary support for at least one product

Use basic Splunk queries to glean insights from system operations

Start participating in the on-call rotation with the team's full support and guidance

Full-time