TSO/ISPF Experts in Germany
in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.Hire experts who keep TSO/ISPF panels, JCL workflows, ISPF edit libraries, and mainframe change tasks running cleanly. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used TSO/ISPF
Robert Karash
Last position:
Interim Manager | Group Leader in the IT Operations & Digitalization Division "Databases, Operations & Support" (DOS) at Landwirtschaftliche RentenBank
- Technical leadership and further development of a team of 28 IT staff (internal & external) in the areas HelpDesk/HelpLine, RHEL (Red Hat), MUREX (trading system & applications), SAP basis operations
- Managing external service providers (including FI-TS for SAP basis operations)
- Personnel, resource and budget planning for the IT department and projects
- Introducing and establishing regular communication formats (weekly status meetings, team and cross-department meetings)
- Ensuring application operations in a hybrid environment (Windows/Linux with database and web/application servers)
- Supporting transformation projects to modernize the application landscape (e.g. DevOps approaches)
- Setting up and implementing a digital IT procurement for hardware & software (e.g. with DELL)
- Developing and managing the "IT Operations DOS" department based on corporate strategy
- Preparing management reports & decision papers on IT projects, optimization potential and automation opportunities
- Representing the department in the advisory boards of the Rentenbank and ensuring regulatory compliance (BaFin §44, GDPR, BSI, MaRisk)
Ibrahim Bayramov
Last position:
Senior Mainframe Developer at Tata Consultancy Services Deutschland GmbH
- Development and maintenance of business-critical COBOL applications in the IBM z/OS mainframe environment
- Carrying out database changes and updates on DB2 for z/OS
- Handling incident, problem, and change management in a production-critical environment using ServiceNow
- Carrying out and supporting load tests, performance tests, and pre-production tests to stabilize business-critical mainframe systems
- Using mainframe tools such as ISPF, TSO, SDSF, XINFO, as well as job control via UC4 / Automic
- Development and integration of Java-based services and API-related components
- Working in agile project teams (Scrum/Kanban), including using Jira and Confluence for backlog, change, and documentation management
Tobias Weik
Last position:
External Data Protection Officer at Self-employed
- Informing and advising on obligations under applicable data protection regulations
- Reviewing compliance with data protection regulations and the client’s strategies for protecting personal data through own audits
- Advising on and preparing data protection impact assessments as well as data protection notices and data protection guidelines and policies
- Drafting, advising on and negotiating data processing agreements
- Raising awareness among management and staff on data protection by creating training materials and concepts and delivering training sessions
- Industries include: financial services, healthcare, trades, mechanical engineering, recruitment, auditing and tax consulting
Alex Volnov
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
Matthias Ottowski
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)
Ulm Paunel
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.
Matthias Otterbach
Last position:
Interim Project Lead at EnBW
- Project lead at a German TSO & trader
- Industry: Energy / trading at EnBW in Karlsruhe
- Task: Bringing together two renewable direct marketing tracks (small direct marketing & large direct marketing) in compliance with group-wide rules and guidelines; implementation of a new customer and partner portal; controlling new requirements, project risk management, consulting; process creation and review, (sub-)project planning in sprints, milestone approval, budget (target) vs. actual review;
Hans-Dieter Große-Kreul
Last position:
Training as an AI Expert
I continuously expand my expertise in AI and automation, working with ChatGPT, OpenAI, Manus, Gemini, MS CoPilot, API, LangChain, Hugging Face, Manus, TensorFlow and Auto-GPT as well as Python-based ML frameworks and MLOps tools to intelligently transform classic software development, analysis, and testing processes.
Lars Von Bentivegni
Last position:
CEO at FABBricate IT Solutions GmbH
- Deliver tailored, scalable IT solutions specializing in cloud platforms, on-premise systems, Kubernetes orchestration, CI/CD automation, data management, and security, including in air-gapped German environments.
- Automate infrastructure provisioning, streamline workflows, and ensure compliance with standards like ISO 27001 using tools like Terraform, Helm, GitOps, and Open Tofu.
- Help businesses achieve secure, efficient digital transformation.
Sebastian Hefczyk
Last position:
Overall Project Manager; Turnaround Manager & Coach at Statutory Health Insurance Fund
- Taking over the troubled project from the internal project management and successful turnaround of project phase 1 (cutover of approx. 1000 servers (VMs)/standard desktops, specialized desktops)
- Responsible project management for the successful phase 1 transition (planning in the shortest possible time followed by implementation (very successful with low ticket volume))
- Stakeholder management – taking over direct (daily before cutover) communication with the client from the Chief Operation Manager in the format of regular meetings in taskforce mode. Rapid rebuilding of the previously lost trust base and restoration of the client relationship for optimal satisfaction
- Taskforce mode to eliminate all existing issues/showstoppers before cutover
- Scope clarification, setup, and scheduling of phase 2 activities (e.g. silo/admin servers)
- Kick-off of phase 2 / handing the project back to the success line for the internal project management/line to handle the remaining defined topics
- Establishing, preparing, and conducting steering committees with V-1 management to align the guardrails
- Moderation of various regular meetings and operational workshops
- Participation in the lessons learned with the client to address dissatisfaction related to the internal project management (before my start! They are extremely satisfied with my work)
- Tools: Atlassian Suite (Confluence/JIRA), MIRO, Sharepoint; MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project)
Martin Schaefer
Last position:
MS Fabric Certification
MS Fabric certification with creation of pipelines and notebooks in Fabric using data from Azure, Azure Repos, Azure Boards, and GitHub. Data ingestion via OneLake Explorer, direct IP connection, and API (REST) are the main topics
Georg Danebrock
Last position:
Senior Project Manager at Apleona GmbH
- Project review, restructuring, and PM for the migration of a total of 12,000 Windows workplace systems (650 applications) from SCCM and Empirum/Matrix42 to MS-Intune after a merger.
- Took over a heavily delayed / not ideally managed project in the role of the "firefighter".
- Completely revised and adjusted/updated the planning of the customer and the involved service provider.
- Introduced planning baselining as well as tracking/mitigation of current risks.
- Introduced an efficient, partially automated planning/reporting interface between MS Project Planning (service provider) and Jira (customer).
- Restructured meetings to increase efficiency and remove redundant appointments.
- Completed the analysis and design phase and created base data for migrations from heterogeneous systems of the two merged companies.
- Started the User Acceptance Test (UAT).
- Technologies: MS Autopilot, Zero Touch.
Christian Wegener
Last position:
Functional Senior Tester and Test Manager at Christian Wegener Beratung
Creation and review of test conditions
Execution of functional tests
Defect management
Supplier management
Team coordination
Estimation of test effort and reporting
Test planning
Ongoing and new development of integrated scheduling systems
Java web client / Linux server, Oracle Instant Client / Oracle Database Appliance server, Unix, ESB – Enterprise Service Bus, SQL, TIBCO EMS – Enterprise Message Service / JMS, REST, Impero Guest
HP ALM / Micro Focus Quality Center, Citrix, JIRA, XRAY, Impero Guest, MobaXTerm, Confluence, SharePoint, MS Teams, MS Office
Jürgen Schoemaker
Last position:
IT Consultant / Analyst / Developer / Tester / Support at Automotive Manufacturer
- Analysis, software development/customization, and testing of various transaction and batch objects
- Conducting functional integration and regression tests on TEST and QA platforms under z/OS for later production implementation
- Hardware / Software / Tools: IBM MVS, z/OS, JES2/3, TSO-ISPF, JCL, DB2, SQL, SQL/PL, QMF, QMF for Workstations, SPUFI, FileAid, IMS-DB/DC, MFS, XPEDITER, COBOL, REXX, Windows 10, MS Office 365, MS Teams, batch job management via OPC, BETA92, RVS, BVB, ABL, DIALOGplus, PROBA, PRODPR (VW internal systems), JIRA, CONFLUENCE
Mohammed Alsaadi
Last position:
Consultant: Senior Power System Engineer at DEME, CWD, DERlab, LifePower
- TSO, DSO grids simulation and analysis
- Grid design integration of 3.4 GW RES and 400 MW of BESS for a large-scale green hydrogen plant
- Grid connection requirements for RES and BESS connection (50kW - 1MW)
- Requirements for providing Ancillary Services to the TSO from the flexible assets
- Expertise in Pre-FEED/FEED studies, EPC tender preparation, bid evaluation, and supplier negotiations for HV/MV substations and renewable integration projects
- Support for EPC design reviews, technical documentation, and FAT/SAT supervision across solar, wind, and hybrid energy systems
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using TSO/ISPF
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
32 years
Position duration
2.2 years
Positions per freelancer
19
Top business areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Operations
Top industries
Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Insurance
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
63%
Master's degree or higher
41%
Doctorate
11%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
94%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates of experts in Germany using TSO/ISPF
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 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the technology
What it is
TSO/ISPF is the interactive working environment many teams use on IBM z/OS systems. It combines TSO sessions with ISPF panels, editors, and utilities for day-to-day mainframe work. Companies rely on it for maintenance, batch support, and controlled changes in core systems.
Typical work
- Edit and review JCL, COBOL copybooks, and control members
- Navigate datasets, libraries, and partitioned data sets
- Run utilities for search, compare, and file handling
- Support release, test, and incident tasks on z/OS
Skills around it
Strong professionals know more than the screens. They understand z/OS dataset naming, JCL, batch job flow, SMP/E basics, and the rules around shared libraries. They also work carefully with source control, approvals, and environment differences between test and production.
When companies bring in help
Teams often need freelance expertise when a mainframe project has a backlog, a release needs extra hands, or a legacy application must be changed without disrupting operations. In Germany, this is common in banking, insurance, logistics, and industrial environments where TSO/ISPF remains part of daily delivery. Specialists can also help when internal staff need extra support during audits or migration work.
What good experts do
Good TSO/ISPF professionals are precise and calm under change pressure. They read existing code and job streams quickly, spot risky edits, and document what they touch. They also know when a task is really about the editor, the dataset, the job control, or the application process around it.
Common search terms
People often search for TSO, ISPF, or the full name TSO/ISPF when they need mainframe support. The best experts are usually comfortable in both the interactive ISPF environment and the wider IBM mainframe toolset. They should be able to work with local teams, remote teams, and established change processes without slowing delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What clients ask us most about TSO/ISPF — answered in short.
TSO/ISPF is the interactive workspace many teams use on IBM z/OS. It is used to edit members, manage datasets, run utilities, and support batch-related change work. In practice, it is where a lot of daily mainframe maintenance and release preparation happens.
TSO/ISPF is not a replacement for modern web tools; it is the classic interface for working directly on the mainframe. Compared with newer front ends, it is more manual but also very close to the system and its datasets. Many teams keep it because it is reliable, scriptable in a mainframe context, and deeply tied to z/OS workflows.
A strong TSO/ISPF specialist usually understands JCL, datasets, COBOL source handling, and basic z/OS operations. Knowledge of ISPF edit and browse functions, batch job flow, and source control is often essential. In some environments, SMP/E, REXX, and change management knowledge also help a lot.
Companies bring in TSO/ISPF experts when internal teams are short on mainframe capacity or a legacy system needs careful change work. It is common during releases, incident recovery, migrations, and long-running maintenance streams. This is especially useful when the work must fit existing production controls and documentation standards.
A TSO/ISPF project needs someone who can work independently in the environment, not just someone who has seen the screens. For small support tasks, practical hands-on familiarity may be enough. For complex mainframe change or migration work, you want someone who has handled real datasets, JCL, and release procedures before.
Yes, TSO/ISPF work is often done remotely if secure access to the mainframe is in place. Many German companies still keep some on-site collaboration for sensitive environments, workshops, or cutovers. The key is clear access, approved communication channels, and familiarity with the team's change process.
Look for someone who explains what they changed, why they changed it, and how they verified the result. A good TSO/ISPF professional is careful with datasets, understands job dependencies, and avoids guesswork in production-like systems. Clear notes, clean handovers, and calm problem solving matter more than flashy claims.
They are related but not the same. TSO/ISPF usually refers to the combined working environment, while TSO is the interactive session and ISPF is the panel-driven interface and editor set. People often use the terms together because most mainframe tasks involve both.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects is 98 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 784 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects, 63% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 41% hold at least a Master's degree, and 11% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects have 32 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects are German (100%), English (94%), and French (23%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects are Information Technology (83%), Banking and Finance (77%), and Insurance (69%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used TSO/ISPF in their recent projects are Information Technology (94%), Quality Assurance (83%), and Operations (69%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used TSO/ISPF
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
Would you rather directly get in touch?
We always have the time for a call or email!
Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
