Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Security Engineer with strong expertise in securing mainframe-based payroll systems. This role is responsible for safeguarding sensitive payroll data, enforcing security controls, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting secure development and maintenance of payroll applications using standard mainframe technologies. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of mainframe security frameworks, particularly RACF, combined with hands-on experience in core mainframe programming and operational environments.

Key Responsibilities
• Design, implement, and maintain mainframe security controls to protect sensitive payroll data.
• Administer and manage RACF (or equivalent ACF2/Top Secret) security, including user access, resource profiles, and permissions.
• Ensure data security, integrity, and confidentiality across payroll applications, files, databases, and interfaces.
• Monitor, audit, and enforce security compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Support secure development and maintenance of payroll applications using mainframe technologies.
• Collaborate with payroll application developers, system administrators, and compliance teams to ensure secure system operations.
• Analyze and remediate security vulnerabilities, access violations, and audit findings.
• Secure batch and online payroll processes, including JCL jobs, CICS transactions, and DB2/IMS data access.
• Review and approve security changes related to payroll system releases, enhancements, and production migrations.
• Support internal and external security audits, risk assessments, and compliance reporting.
• Troubleshoot and resolve security-related production incidents affecting payroll processing.

Required Skills:
• Strong proficiency in mainframe security concepts and administration, including:

-RACF (user IDs, groups, profiles, datasets, CICS, DB2, and IMS security)

-Data security and access control

-Mainframe network protocols and security controls
• Hands-on experience with mainframe payroll system environments.
• Expertise in common mainframe technologies, including but not limited to:

-COBOL

-Assembler

-Easytrieve

-CICS and CICS Maps (BMS / CICS Map / CA-TELON)

-JCL

-DB2

-IMS (DB/DC)

-CA Scheduler (or equivalent)

-Rocket Software Mobius
• Understanding batch and online payroll processing, file structures, VSAM, and database security.
• Experience securing payroll interfaces and integrations between mainframe and external systems.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience supporting government or large enterprise payroll systems with strict security and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with audit frameworks, internal controls, and regulatory standards related to payroll data (e.g., SOX, data privacy).
• Exposure to security modernization, encryption, or access governance initiatives in mainframe environments.
• Knowledge of production support and on-call procedures during payroll processing cycles.