Dear Job Seeker,
We have an excellent opportunity with one of our clients for an experienced Mainframe Architect (z/VM) to support a long-term technology initiative in Albany, NY. This role focuses on leading the architecture, planning, and migration to a new IBM z/VM environment while supporting infrastructure modernization and Hybrid Cloud Integration (HCI) initiatives.
The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in IBM z/VM architecture, virtualization, infrastructure design, and platform migration. The individual will provide technical leadership, guide architectural decisions, and help ensure that the target environment meets requirements for performance, scalability, availability, and long-term maintainability.
In addition to z/VM expertise, the candidate should have working knowledge of AIX, COBOL, IBM MQ (formerly MQSeries), and Unix server environments to support integration and collaboration across the broader enterprise technology landscape.
This is a fast-moving opportunity, and the client is looking to fill the position as soon as possible with a highly skilled candidate who is the right match for the role.
Job Title: Mainframe Architect (z/VM)
Location: Albany, NY – Hybrid
Duration: Long-Term Contract
Job Description:
1. Mainframe Architecture and Design
- Lead the architecture and design of the target IBM z/VM environment in alignment with enterprise infrastructure requirements.
- Define architectural standards, technical guidelines, and design principles for the platform.
- Evaluate existing infrastructure and recommend improvements to support reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- Develop future-state architecture plans that align with modernization objectives and long-term technology strategy.
2. IBM z/VM Migration
- Lead and coordinate the migration to the new IBM z/VM environment.
- Assess the existing environment, identify technical dependencies, and help define the migration approach.
- Develop migration plans, implementation strategies, and validation procedures.
- Coordinate with infrastructure, application, and operations teams to minimize disruption during migration activities.
- Support testing, troubleshooting, cutover planning, and post-migration stabilization.
3. Infrastructure Modernization
- Support enterprise infrastructure modernization initiatives involving mainframe virtualization and platform improvements.
- Identify opportunities to improve infrastructure utilization, operational efficiency, and system reliability.
- Evaluate existing configurations and recommend appropriate architectural enhancements.
- Collaborate with technical teams to implement modernization strategies and maintain alignment with enterprise standards.
4. Hybrid Cloud Integration (HCI)
- Support Hybrid Cloud Integration initiatives involving mainframe and distributed infrastructure environments.
- Help define architecture and integration approaches for connectivity between mainframe platforms and other enterprise systems.
- Work with infrastructure and application teams to assess integration requirements, dependencies, and technical constraints.
- Contribute to architecture decisions that support interoperability, scalability, and future technology adoption.
5. Platform Performance and Scalability
- Provide technical direction for platform performance, capacity planning, and resource utilization.
- Identify potential performance bottlenecks and recommend improvements to system configuration and infrastructure design.
- Help ensure the platform can accommodate current workloads and anticipated future requirements.
- Support the development of reliable, scalable, and maintainable infrastructure solutions.
6. AIX and Unix Server Integration
- Collaborate with teams supporting AIX and Unix server environments.
- Understand infrastructure dependencies and integration requirements between mainframe and distributed platforms.
- Assist in troubleshooting cross-platform issues and coordinating technical resolutions.
- Ensure that architectural decisions consider the requirements of interconnected enterprise systems.
7. COBOL and IBM MQ Integration
- Work with application and middleware teams to understand dependencies involving COBOL-based applications and IBM MQ messaging services.
- Support architectural planning for application connectivity, messaging, and communication between systems.
- Help assess application compatibility and integration requirements during migration and modernization activities.
8. Technical Leadership and Collaboration
- Provide architectural guidance to infrastructure engineers, system administrators, application teams, and other technical stakeholders.
- Review technical designs and recommend solutions that align with enterprise architecture standards.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to resolve complex technical challenges and address implementation dependencies.
- Communicate architecture decisions, migration progress, risks, and recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
9. Documentation and Operational Readiness
- Develop and maintain architecture diagrams, migration documentation, technical specifications, and implementation plans.
- Document system dependencies, configuration considerations, and future-state architecture decisions.
- Support operational readiness by coordinating with infrastructure and support teams before and after migration.
Required Technical Skills:
- Strong experience with IBM z/VM architecture, administration, and virtualization concepts.
- Experience leading or supporting mainframe platform migration projects.
- Knowledge of mainframe infrastructure design, configuration, performance, and scalability.
- Experience with infrastructure modernization and enterprise architecture initiatives.
- Working knowledge of AIX and Unix server environments.
- Familiarity with COBOL-based applications and their infrastructure dependencies.
- Knowledge of IBM MQ / MQSeries and enterprise messaging integration.
- Strong technical leadership, troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to coordinate technical activities across infrastructure, middleware, and application teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience migrating or modernizing IBM z/VM environments.
- Experience supporting hybrid infrastructure or Hybrid Cloud Integration initiatives.
- Knowledge of mainframe virtualization, capacity planning, and platform optimization.
- Experience with cross-platform integration between mainframe, Unix, and distributed environments.
- Experience preparing architecture documentation, migration plans, and technical recommendations.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multiple technical teams in a complex enterprise environment.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate is a senior-level mainframe technology professional with strong IBM z/VM architecture expertise and experience leading platform migration or modernization initiatives. The individual should be capable of making architectural decisions, coordinating technical teams, identifying infrastructure dependencies, and helping deliver a stable and scalable target environment.
Candidates with additional knowledge of AIX, COBOL, IBM MQ, and Unix server environments will be well positioned to collaborate across the client's broader technology ecosystem.
How to Apply:
If your skills and experience align with this opportunity, please don't hesitate to apply or reach out to discuss the position further. We would be happy to review your qualifications and share additional details about the project.
