
IBM z/OS Experts
to modernize core systems with vetted, available freelancersHire experts who manage IBM z/OS estates, develop COBOL and JCL workloads, and connect mainframe systems with modern applications. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers for critical projects.
Meet FRATCH Experts who have recently used IBM z/OS
Timo H.
Last position:
Software Developer at Smiths Detection
- Extension of a Swing-based UI for recording Security Restricted Articles during baggage screening.
- Introduction of a new workflow for recording Deboarding Events.
- Extension of the reporting system for Security Restricted Articles and Deboarding Events.
- Implementation using JBoss Wildfly, PostgreSQL, spring-boot 3.x, Java 8/21, Swing, JSF, JAX-RS/Resteasy, Docker, Maven, Kiro.
Robert K.
Last position:
Interim Manager | Group Manager in the IT Operations & Digitalization division „Databases, Operations & Support" (DOS) at Landwirtschaftliche RentenBank
- Functional management and further development of a team of 28 IT employees (internal & external) in the areas of HelpDesk / HelpLine, RHEL (Red Hat), MUREX (trading system & applications), SAP basic operations
- Management of external service providers (including FI-TS for SAP basic operations)
- Personnel, resource and budget planning for the IT department and projects
- Introduction and establishment of regular communication formats (regular meetings, team and cross-departmental meetings)
- Ensuring application operations in a hybrid environment (Windows / Linux with database and web/application servers)
- Support for transformation projects to modernize the application landscape (e.g. DevOps approaches)
- Building and introducing digital IT procurement for hardware & software (e.g. with DELL)
- Development and management of the „IT Operations DOS" department based on the company strategy
- Preparation of management reports & decision papers on IT projects, optimization potential and automation opportunities
- Representing the department in Rentenbank committees and ensuring regulatory compliance (BaFin §44, DSGVO, BSI, MaRisk)
Hans-Dieter G.
Last position:
Training as an AI Expert
I continuously expand my expertise in AI and automation. I work with ChatGPT, OpenAI, Manus, Gemini, MS CoPilot, APIs, LangChain, Hugging Face, Manus, TensorFlow, and Auto-GPT, as well as Python-based ML frameworks and MLOps tools, to intelligently transform traditional software development, analysis, and testing processes.
Tobias R.
Last position:
M&A IT Project Manager / Cross-functional Technical and Integration Manager at Sandoz AG
- Worked for several M&A projects (Eire, Sunshine C, Coral) in the role of IT project manager and cross-functional technical manager / integration manager.
- Preparation and maintenance of project charters, project change requests and project plans.
- Weekly project status report.
- Preparation of decision papers and steering committee slidedecks.
- Risk & issue management.
- Tracking and managing activities, dependencies and deliverables across all functional IT domains.
- Data migration (planning and execution).
Tezcan D.
Last position:
Solution Architect / Project Manager at German Football Association
- Overall responsibility for the project lifecycle from scope definition to completion
- Close collaboration with platform teams, IT leaders, and external service providers
- Application of SAFe principles and structured sprint work
- Creation of a migration roadmap with clear milestones
- Monitoring of the lifecycle: onboarding, repository migration, replication of permissions, and system tests
- Visualization of the architecture with PlantUML and Gliffy as well as documentation in Confluence
- Regular status reports and running knowledge transfer sessions
Andreas W.
Last position:
Freelancer at Infrafibre Networks GmbH
- Determining the current status (planning status / expansion status) of the so-called interpolygon routes
- Preparing an end-to-end project plan for the individual routes, taking active and passive components and activities into account
- Monitoring and controlling plan implementation
- Optimizing the selected network architecture
- Creating network and splice plans
Dilara E.
Last position:
Epic Owner at Telefonica
As part of the program (RAITT Transformation/Inlife Tribe), efficient handling of all processes for existing customers during ongoing operations and in customer service, including payments and billing, with the goal of ensuring customer satisfaction through excellent service and efficient problem solving
Leading the Usage-to-Payments value stream and cross-functional teams as the responsible Epic Owner in the strategic RAITT transformation program
Managing, prioritizing, providing functional direction and driving decision-making processes between business, architecture, development and outsourcing partners
Backlog prioritization, strategic roadmap development and release readiness decisions
Establishing governance, quality assurance and delivery standards in the payment ecosystem
Communicating program-critical decisions to sponsors, Product Owners and technical control centers
Ensuring smooth payment processes, accurate billing and integration with financial systems
Optimizing payment methods, managing payment service providers and efficiently handling credit checks, dunning and debt collection
Focus on postpaid business models with bank transfers, direct debits, returned direct debits and payouts
Responsibility for alternative payment methods such as credit cards and PayPal, integration of payment service providers and risk management
Christoph N.
Last position:
Project Manager at Zentraler Beitragsservice
- The goal of the project is to build a Greenfield FailSafe data center (FSRZ) as an emergency measure in accordance with BSI 200/4 against a cyberattack.
- Recovery of a project that had been running for several years. Re-initialization of the project: adjustment of the project organization, initiation of regular meetings, establishment of project controlling and project reporting, introduction of project risk management and consolidation of project documentation. Establishment of project governance and introduction of decision-making structures based on decision papers. Definition of deliverables and derivation of phase plans and the project plan. Personnel and resource planning. Coordination with “neighboring projects”, initiation of concept development and implementation. Management of the project with 8 subprojects and PMO. Budget planning and controlling (14,8 Mio). Support and coaching of the subprojects in their methodological approach. Coordination with suppliers and support of EU tenders. Coordination and processing of change requests. Coordination with line management regarding the economically viable operation of the FSRZ. Technical support for IT architecture in the areas of zOS, Windows and Linux, networking and IT security, for designing interim operations and extended regular operations for the FSRZ, planning emergency processes and emergency communication internally and externally.
Knud W.
Last position:
Lead Programmer, Architect and Deputy Product Owner at Bundesagentur für Arbeit
- Lead programmer, architect and deputy product owner
- Completed transition from zPDV to STEP
- Ensured quality of C++ and Perl sources through automated and manual checks
- Supported resolution of incidents and errors in testing
- Implemented batch for supplementary assignment of payment run numbers
- Implemented batch for distribution of SGB 2 information to the central payment unit
- Supported replacement of Solaris with Linux
- Upgraded gcc from 7.4 to 9.3
- Programmatically generated Makefiles from Borland projects for builds
- Extended funding data with new attribute “Kennzeichen Fahrtkosten Praktikum”
- Programmatically generated XSD and WSDL files from IDL definitions
- Represented the product owner when needed
- Implemented batch for one-time payment processing
- Developed generator for Liquibase files
- Implemented and maintained regular anonymization of production data
- Supported migration from SLES 12 to SLES 15
- Supported introduction of mutual TLS
- Implemented batch for sending deletion impulses to EDA BE
- Organized script directory structure
- Investigated potential introduction of String-Latin and implemented minimal solution
- Remediated security findings identified by CheckMarx
- Supported PAP recalculations and general change notices
- Converted ERP interfaces from SOAP to REST
- Planned technical and business topics such as register modernization, cash register security, training costs, four-eyes principle
Alex V.
Last position:
CTO, Co-Founder, Cryptography(incl. Post-Quantum Cryptography) and AI Security Expertise at AISLEIPNIR
- Integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms into high level protocols.
- Security of implementations of Post-Quantum Cryptography algorithms.
- Transition to Post-Quantum public key infrastructures.
- Security evaluations of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) primitives.
- Drone Cybersecurity
- Satellite Cybersecurity
- AI Security
Mario T.
Last position:
Project Lead/Manager / Consultant at all-BI GmbH
- Establishing the Microsoft Fabric platform with the company as the central data warehouse and reporting system.
- The company migrated several operational systems including D365 to new version. The new data warehouse is based on a Fabric/Power BI architecture with Azure cloud Entra Authentication.
Tasks Performed:
- Full administrative responsibility for the Fabric platform F64 and F32 capacities, as well as two F8 capacities for development and prototyping.
- Integration of Fabric with Microsoft Entra.
- Data modeling for the data warehouse bronze, silver and gold layers using data modeling tools.
- Star Schema as well as entity relationship modeling.
- Data modeling for data marts and for dimensional modeling and Power BI (semantic model).
- Design of data models for Microsoft SSAS multidimensional and tabular OLAP cubes using DAX and MDX.
- Definition of design patterns for the ETL team for loading OLAP cubes (Tabular and MD), star schemas and data vault structures.
- Planning and managing team of 4 ETL and reporting developers.
- Performance Tuning of Power BI reports, particularly the semantic layer, as well as the Fabric notebooks
- SQL Performance Tuning.
- DB Design for Azure SQL.
- Reporting directly to project senior management.
Label: Power BI, Fabric, Analysis Services (multidimensional and tabular), D365, SSIS, Tabular Editor, SQL Server and Azure SQL, TOAD Data Modeler, DBSchema, Visual Studio Code, DAX Studio, SSMS, Visual Studio, Jira and Confluence.
Matthias O.
Last position:
IT Project Manager at IT service provider
Implementation of anti-money laundering requirements in accordance with AMLA/KYC for an international large bank in Munich
Services provided:
- Clarification of the assignment, definition of the work package structure for the AMLA/KYC implementation project
- AI-supported project planning using my own AI workflow for project management
- Creation of the project management plan
- Resource and capacity planning
- Development of collaboration structures between IT service provider and bank client
- Alignment of responsibilities (RACI matrix)
- Management of 5 project members (core team)
- Project control, project monitoring, project reporting
- Communication management
- Escalation management
- Stakeholder management (11 stakeholders)
- Permanent member of the steering committee
- Project representation internally and externally
- Project reporting, management of decision-making bodies
- Project volume: 506 person-days (development effort)
- Risk management
- Quality management
- Organization and running of workshops
Methods: PMI PMBOK, EVM, GWG, DORA, BAIT, KANBAN, AML, AMLR, AMLA, GWG, KYC
IT environment: JIRA, Confluence, Sharepoint, Kantata Kimble, AI LLM Copilot, ChatGPT, anti-money laundering systems (in-house developments and SMARAGD)
Jörn B.
Last position:
Project Management and PMO at TANKKARTEN | PAYMENT
- Close collaboration with development teams to ensure alignment with project objectives
- Assessment of in-scope assets, creation of requirements, and support of the public tender process through the selection of a provider
- Creation and maintenance of UML sequence diagrams to document system interactions
- Extensive use of Agile/Scrum methodology and Spotify model
- Development and implementation of cutover and dress rehearsal plans together with the application managers
Vladimir E.
Last position:
Technical Project Manager / Freelancer at Deutsche Bank
- Engaged within the Information and Security Management division for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project focused on developing a Client Security Portal.
- Managed project resources across the UK, India, and Germany.
- Architected and deployed the PoC solution leveraging a modern Java stack, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with Kubernetes, and Active Directory (Entra ID) for authentication.
- Implemented OAuth 2.0 for authorization.
- Ensured DORA alignment according to Deutsche Bank security rules and regulatory preparation.
Ulm P.
Last position:
DataStage ETL Expert at ING Bank
- Datastage 11.7, dbt, Oracle 19, Python 3.12 / PySpark 3.5, Azure GitHub, Azure DevOps, Automic
- Development of migration jobs to transfer data from the collection DWH to the new Risk Mart, as well as development of ETL pipelines to migrate historical data from the old Mart to the new Risk Mart.
- Storage of the silver layer on Hadoop and the gold layer in Oracle.
- Translation of DataStage jobs into dbt to publish reporting data in Google Cloud to a PostgreSQL database.
- Creation and optimization of complex SQL queries for data extraction from a data vault, taking into account historical data in the point-in-time tables.
- Creation of Oracle table definitions (DDL) and adjustment of existing stored procedures.
- Versioning changes in GitHub and deployment via the CI/CD portal.
- Refactoring long-running DataStage jobs into Python using PySpark to reduce server load.
- Migration of SAS scripts to PL/SQL, including new development of distribution functions that have no direct equivalent in Oracle.
- Development of Automic jobs to run DataStage pipelines and Python scripts (PySpark jobs) that control the population of the SME and institutional risk tables in the Risk Mart and perform business calculations.
- Participation in the agile process, including creating user stories, estimations, and planning in Azure DevOps.
- Handling Azure DevOps tickets and close collaboration with testers and business teams for error analysis and resolution.
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using IBM z/OS
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
31 years

Position duration
1.9 years

Positions per freelancer
19

Top business areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Quality Assurance

Top industries
Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Insurance

Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
65%
Master's degree or higher
50%
Doctorate
17%

Certifications per freelancer
3

Most common languages
German, English, French

Speak two or more languages
95%
Based on our profile pool as of 16 Oct 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of experts in this technology are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows the share of experts charging within that range.
Average rates of experts using IBM z/OS
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 16 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
IBM z/OS experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Information Technology (91%)
- Banking and Finance (88%)
- Insurance (64%)
- Government and Administration (48%)
- Automotive (43%)
- Manufacturing (43%)
- Telecommunication (36%)
- Professional Services (31%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the technology
Mainframe foundation
IBM z/OS is the enterprise operating system for IBM Z mainframes. It runs high-volume, highly secure workloads such as banking transactions, insurance processing, airline reservations and public-sector records. Its design supports continuous operation, strict access control and dependable batch and online processing.
Core workload skills
Professionals working with z/OS typically combine operating-system knowledge with application and data expertise. Common delivery areas include:
- COBOL and PL/I application maintenance
- JCL jobs, procedures and batch scheduling
- CICS transaction processing and IMS systems
- Db2 for z/OS database design and support
- RACF security, SMF data and system operations
Ecosystem and integration
The z/OS ecosystem includes JES2, TSO/E, ISPF, SDSF, USS and IBM debugging and monitoring tools. Strong specialists also work with Enterprise COBOL, WebSphere Liberty, MQ and API enablement. They connect established workloads to Java, cloud services, event streams and web applications without weakening operational controls.
When companies bring expertise
Freelance expertise is useful during migrations, release peaks, audits and periods of scarce internal knowledge. Companies often need help when a long-running application must be documented, refactored or exposed through modern interfaces. Specialists can also support recovery planning, performance investigations and controlled changes to production environments.
- Assess undocumented COBOL and JCL dependencies
- Modernize interfaces around core transactions
- Tune batch windows and Db2 access paths
- Prepare platform upgrades and test plans
What strong professionals deliver
A capable z/OS professional understands both technical dependencies and business-critical processing. They trace data across programs, files, queues and databases, then explain risks in terms that operations and product teams can act on. They use source control, automated testing, change management and clear runbooks to make mainframe work repeatable.
Selecting the right specialist
Match the assignment to the relevant workload, not just the platform name. Ask for evidence of work with the required language, transaction monitor, database, scheduler or security model. Clarify access rules, production responsibilities, documentation standards and collaboration with teams responsible for distributed systems. Remote delivery can work well when environments, approvals and incident procedures are clearly defined.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about IBM z/OS? Start with the answers below.
IBM z/OS is used to run essential enterprise workloads on IBM Z mainframes. Companies rely on it for transaction processing, batch operations, customer records, payments, claims, logistics and other systems where security and dependable throughput matter.
IBM z/OS is optimized for centralized, high-volume enterprise processing, strong isolation and long-running operational systems. Unix and cloud platforms may offer broader application flexibility, but replacing z/OS can involve complex data, compliance and business-process dependencies.
A strong IBM z/OS specialist may also work with COBOL, PL/I, JCL, CICS, IMS, Db2 for z/OS, MQ and RACF. Knowledge of APIs, Java, Linux on IBM Z, source control and automated testing is valuable when connecting mainframe workloads to newer systems.
The right level of experience depends on the workload, risk and delivery stage. z/OS maintenance may need a specialist who knows a specific application and operational process, while modernization, recovery design or production changes call for deeper platform and integration knowledge.
IBM z/OS projects can often be delivered remotely through controlled access, secure communication and clear change procedures. On-site work may still be useful for restricted environments, hardware-related tasks, sensitive workshops or teams that require close coordination in a shared location.
Ask a IBM z/OS freelancer to describe comparable workloads, the exact tools used and their role in testing and production changes. Check how they document dependencies, manage rollback plans and communicate with application, database, security and operations teams.
Quality in IBM z/OS work shows in stable releases, clear job flows, tested recovery paths and documentation that another specialist can follow. Look for careful impact analysis, measurable operational improvements and respect for access controls rather than quick code changes alone.
An IBM z/OS specialist may deliver COBOL changes, JCL procedures, CICS transactions, Db2 updates, migration plans, interface services or operational runbooks. The deliverables should include tests, dependency notes and handover material suited to the company’s change and support process.
The average hourly rate of freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects is 101 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 806 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects, 65% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 50% hold at least a Master's degree, and 17% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects have 31 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 1.9 years.
The most common languages among freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects are German (100%), English (95%), and French (28%).
The most common industries among freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects are Information Technology (91%), Banking and Finance (88%), and Insurance (64%).
The most common business areas among freelancers who have used IBM z/OS in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Project Management (78%), and Quality Assurance (78%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used IBM z/OS
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home all over Germany — available on-site in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and every major business hub, or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
In Austria our freelancers and interim experts support companies from Vienna to Graz — on-site where your project needs them, or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Across Switzerland our specialists are active in Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern — working on-site or fully remote. Choose a city to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Countries:
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