IBM Mainframe Engineer with Datacenter Migration Experience - Remote

Overview

Remote
$50+
Contract - Independent
Contract - W2

Skills

IBM Mainframe Engineer

Job Details

Role: IBM Mainframe Engineer with Datacenter Migration Experience

Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience

Mode of work: Remote

Work Time Zone: EST or CST

 

Job Summary

  • We are seeking an IBM Mainframe Engineer 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-premise to new data center locations or cloud-hosted mainframes while adhering to industry best practices.

 

Detailed Job Description

 

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

IBM Mainframe Engineer

  • Ensure encryption of in-transit and at-rest data meets regulatory standards (ISO 27001, PCI- DSS, GDPR).
  • Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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).

 

  1. 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)

 

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

 

General Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills

 

IBM Mainframe Engineer

  • Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring junior mainframe engineers

 

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