IBM Mainframe Administrator

Title: IBM Mainframe Administrator

Location: Remote (Needs to travel to client site when required with your own expenses)

Duration: Long term contract

Job Summary

We are seeking an IBM Mainframe Administrator with expertise in data center migration, consolidation, and modernization. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing mainframe migrations while ensuring high availability, minimal downtime, and data integrity. The ideal candidate will work with cross-functional teams to transition mainframe workloads from on[1]premise to new data center locations or cloud-hosted mainframes while adhering to industry best practices.

Job Description:

System Management: Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of mainframe hardware, software, and operating systems.

Performance Monitoring: Monitor system performance and ensure optimal operation by identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks.

Security Management: Implement and maintain robust security protocols to protect mainframe systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Backup and Recovery: Develop and manage backup and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and availability in case of system failures.

Storage Management: Manage and maintain Mainframe Storage Arrays and File Systems including Virtual Tape systems and subsystems.

Problem Resolution: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to mainframe systems, ensuring minimal downtime and disruption to business operations.

Capacity Planning: Conduct capacity planning and forecasting to ensure the mainframe environment can handle current and future workloads efficiently.

Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, procedures, and changes for reference and compliance purposes.

Support: Provide technical support and guidance to other IT staff and users regarding mainframe-related issues and queries.

Technical Skills

Mainframe Platforms: IBM zSeries, z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux

Storage & Backup: DFSMS, HSM, SRDF, Tape Backup, VTS, DataMover

Networking & Security: TCP/IP, VTAM, OSA, RACF, MFA, Firewall Configurations

Database & Applications: DB2, IMS, VSAM, MQ Series, COBOL, JCL

Monitoring & Performance: IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, Splunk, CA-7 Job Scheduler

Automation & Scripting: REXX, CLIST, Python for mainframe automation

Data Center Migration Planning & Execution

• Lead end-to-end migration of IBM mainframes from legacy data centers to new on-premise or cloud-based environments.
• Develop mainframe workload migration strategies, including LPAR, data replication, and application transition.
• Perform impact analysis, risk assessments, and dependency mapping before migration.
• Implement cutover plans, rollback strategies, and failover testing to minimize downtime

Mainframe Infrastructure Setup & Configuration

• Configure and optimize IBM zSeries (z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux) environments in the new data center.
• Manage LPAR provisioning, network segmentation, and workload balancing post-migration.
• Tune system parameters, workload scheduling, and CPU resource allocation to maintain performance.
• Ensure successful integration of migrated workloads with existing applications and databases.

Storage & Data Migration

• Perform high-volume data migrations using tools like IBM DataMover, DFSMS, and SRDF/EMC storage replication.
• Manage tape backup, virtual tape systems (VTS), and storage tiering for migration efficiency.
• Ensure DB2, IMS, and VSAM databases are securely migrated with minimal data loss.
• Conduct pre- and post-migration data integrity checks

Network & Security Compliance in Migration

• Implement mainframe network reconfiguration post-migration (TCP/IP, SNA, VTAM, OSA).
• Maintain RACF security policies during and after migration to ensure role-based access control (RBAC) compliance.
• Ensure encryption of in-transit and at-rest data meets regulatory standards (ISO 27001, PCI[1]DSS, GDPR).
• Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users

Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Monitor CPU, memory, and storage utilization before, during, and after migration.
• Use tools like IBM OMEGAMON, MainView, and Splunk for performance tracking and issue detection.
• Optimize batch job execution, scheduling, and workload distribution post-migration.
• Troubleshoot CICS, DB2, MQ Series, and COBOL application performance issues related to migration.

Disaster Recovery (DR) & High Availability

• Implement DR and failover mechanisms in the new data center.
• Conduct disaster recovery tests (DR drills) and failover validation to ensure business continuity.
• Integrate mainframe workloads with cloud-based DR solutions (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure)

Documentation & Post-Migration Support

• Create runbooks, system configuration documentation, and migration reports.
• Document troubleshooting guides and knowledge base articles for ongoing support.
• Train internal teams on mainframe operations in the new data center environment

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in IBM mainframe operations, with 3+ years in data center migration projects.
• Proven expertise in z/OS, CICS, DB2, IMS, RACF, JCL, and MQ Series.
• Experience in data migration, workload balancing, and post-migration tuning

Certifications (Preferred but Not Mandatory)

• IBM Certified System Administrator z/OS
• IBM Certified Database Administrator DB2
• ITIL Foundation Certification (for change management in migrations)
• AWS/Azure Certified Cloud Practitioner (if cloud-hosted mainframe migration is required)

General Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring junior mainframe engineers