Company Overview:

Planet Mainframe and Watson & Walker are leading providers of mainframe news, resources, and technical information for mainframe industry. We are committed to delivering high-quality, insightful content to our readers, aiding in their understanding of complex technologies and industry developments. The longest running and most important of these is Cheryl Watson’s Tuning Letter. (https://watsonwalker.com/publications/tuningletter/)

"We are hiring for one of the most unique mainframe jobs available – the role of Editor and producer of the highly trusted Cheryl Watson’s Tuning Letter. "

The ideal candidate will have a background as a Systems Programmer on z/OS.

They will also bring:

curiosity about all things mainframe (technologies, tools, trends, ideas)
a desire to educate the current and rising generation of mainframers
a penchant for networking at industry events (this means travel is necessary)
a deep pool of experts to tap for expertise and insights
the ability to write and speak about technical developments in easily understood terms
excitement and energy for writing and editing a highly technical quarterly newsletter : Cheryl Watson's Tuning Letter

General technical writers need not apply.

Ultimately the role is equal parts Mainframer, Student, Teacher, and Writer. The role needs someone who is known and respected in the mainframe community. Someone who loves attending industry events to meet new people and learn about the latest and greatest mainframe tools and technologies. Someone who has a unique skill that can understand these developments and their value and break them down into easily understood articles and presentations that can be understood by a wide range of mainframers – from newcomers to veterans.

Job Description:

As the Editor of Cheryl Watson’s Tuning Letter, you will be responsible for creating comprehensive and accessible content aimed at educating our readers on various aspects of mainframe computing.

In this highly autonomous role, you will leverage your extensive z/OS background to explain newer technologies in familiar terminology, ensuring clarity and relevance to our audience.

You have a passion for the mainframe and enjoy digging into all aspects of it to understand the “What? How? And Whys” of the latest release, tools, or developments, and can’t wait to explain what it is and what it means to the rest of the community in ways that are easily understood by them.

As a highly-respected authority in the industry, you will be collaborating with mainframe customers and industry experts and will leverage your network to maintain the credibility and depth of our publications.

Requirements:

z/OS Systems Programmer background
Up-to-date hands-on experience with z/OSMF, RMF, Workload Manager, and
other core z/OS products – the ability to grasp the basics and delve deeper into
various components of a z/OS environment.
Experience with, and ability to convey, capacity planning and capacity
evaluation methodologies and use of related tools and products.
Strong research skills and a passion for learning, with proficiency in utilizing
resources such as Redbooks, IBM Techdocs, and SHARE presentations.
Proven track record of teaching or presenting complex technical concepts in a
clear and understandable manner.
Familiarity with technical writing standards and experience in producing
materials such as Redbooks or Enterprise Tech Journal articles.
Understanding of performance analysis and SMF data handling would be a
significant advantage.
Knowledge of mainframe subsystems such as CICS, DB2, IMS, and MQ, with a
preference for expertise in MVS.
Deep network of friends and contacts throughout the mainframe ecosystem to
provide additional details and insights in areas of less expertise.
Ability to work collaboratively with subject matter experts and stakeholders to
produce high-quality content.

Skills:

Naturally curious, pleasant, and friendly personality
Knowledge of mainframe subsystems, particularly MVS, CICS, DB2, IMS, and MQ.
Generalist skills encompassing MVS, Linux, security, and networking would be
beneficial.
Performance analysis experience and general SMF data handling would
certainly be valuable.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work
effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
Proficiency in word processing software (e.g., Adobe Framemaker) for creating
structured documents with cross-references, tables, and figures.
Experience in creating presentations using PowerPoint and analyzing data with
Excel.

Travel Requirements

Valid Passport is required.
Travel between 10 - 20% of the time to events and industry expert sites.

Nice to Have

Experience developing Redbooks, IBM Techdocs or other like materials

Join our team at and contribute to shaping the future of mainframe computing education and knowledge dissemination.

Planet Mainframe is an equal opportunity employer, who highly values your diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We welcome all applicants and encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ and people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request at any time during the recruitment process to individuals who self-identify as having a disability or special need.

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Mainframer / Writer / Teacher