IBM Mainframe Administrator role

IBM Mainframe Administrator role

Posted 6 days ago by 1752645823

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Negotiable
Outside
Remote
USA
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Summary: The IBM Mainframe Administrator role focuses on overseeing data center migration, consolidation, and modernization efforts. The position requires expertise in planning and executing mainframe migrations while ensuring high availability and data integrity. The candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to transition workloads to new data center locations or cloud-hosted environments. A strong background in large-scale data center migration projects is essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

  • 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.
  • Configure and optimize IBM zSeries (z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux) environments in the new datacenter.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 DSS, GDPR).
  • Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.

Key Skills:

  • 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.
  • IBM Certified System Administrator - z/OS (preferred but not mandatory).
  • IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 (preferred but not mandatory).
  • ITIL Foundation Certification (for change management in migrations) (preferred but not mandatory).
  • AWS/Azure Certified Cloud Practitioner (if cloud-hosted mainframe migration is required) (preferred but not mandatory).
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and mentor junior mainframe engineers.

Salary (Rate): undetermined

City: undetermined

Country: USA

Working Arrangements: remote

IR35 Status: outside IR35

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: IT

Detailed Description From Employer:
IBM Mainframe Administrator
remote
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-premises to new data center locations or cloud-hosted Mainframes while adhering to industry best practices. The incumbent will provide leadership and oversight of the data center migrations of the client, as well as ongoing technical architectural planning, lifecycle management, and expertise growth in their area. The candidate should have experience in large-scale data center migration projects.
  • Experience: minimum 10+ years of relevant experience
  • Client Location: Onshore, US
  • Mode of work: Remote; Needs to travel to client site when required by the client.
  • Work Time Zone: EST or CST preferred
Key Deliverables:
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.
Responsibilities
1. 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.
IBM Mainframe Administrator
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.
2. Mainframe Infrastructure Setup & Configuration
Configure and optimize IBM zSeries (z/OS, z/VM, z/Linux) environments in the new datacenter.
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.
3. 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.
4. 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 DSS, GDPR).
Work with security teams to implement firewall rules, VPN access, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for remote mainframe users.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. 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.
IBM Mainframe Administrator
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
Ability to work independently and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and mentor junior mainframe engineers
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