Mainframe Storage Systems Programmer

Mainframe Storage Systems Programmer

• Contract : 6 + months with hire possibility
• Client : Billion Dollar Managed IT Services firm
• 100 % REMOTE
• Start ASAP

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Storage Systems Programmer to join our infrastructure team. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in DFSMS, storage management, replication technologies, and data migration, with a focus on maintaining availability, performance, and resiliency in complex mainframe environments.

This role involves configuring, managing, and troubleshooting enterprise storage systems across multi-LPAR Sysplex environments, performing advanced catalog functions, and supporting data protection, replication, and migration activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain DFSMS (Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem) and SMS policies, including translation, validation, activation, and ACS routine updates across multi-LPAR Sysplex environments.
• Create, modify, and remove DATACLAS, MGMTCLAS, STORCLAS, and STORGRP definitions.
• Utilize ISMF for storage management and configuration tasks.
• Perform catalog management using IBM utilities such as IDCAMS, TACM, and VVDS maintenance utilities.
• Execute volume initialization, relabeling, and clipping with ICKDSF.
• Perform dataset and volume maintenance using tools like IEBCOPY, IEHLIST, IEHPROGM, and IEBGENER.
• Support catalog sharing and manage ECS and Coupling Facility Catalog access (Catalog RLS).
• Manage data backup and migration processes using FDR, ABR, CPK, and DFHSM, including primary, secondary, and interval migrations.
• Configure and maintain replication technologies, including GDPS and/or GDDR/MFE, and support synchronoasynchronous replication, SnapVX, Flash Copies, and BCVs.
• Participate in data center migrations and other large-scale infrastructure initiatives as needed.

Required Technical Skills

• Expertise in DFSMS and Storage Management Subsystems (SMS).
• Proficient with IBM utilities including IDCAMS, TACM, VVDS Management, ICKDSF, IEBCOPY, and IEBGENER.
• Strong understanding of DFHSM, FDR/ABR/CPK, and related backup/migration tools.
• Experience with GDPS, GDDR/MFE, and modern replication technologies.
• Familiarity with Catalog RLS, ECS, and Coupling Facility configurations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with data center migrations or large-scale storage transitions.
• Background in mainframe storage programming or infrastructure modernization.

Non-Technical Skills

• Self-starter with strong initiative and attention to detail.
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Must adhere to company policies, including weekly timesheet submission and timely completion of client training requirements.
• Demonstrates sound judgment will consult team members rather than guessing at solutions.