Z/OS Lead / Architect
6 days ago
Plano
Job Description Job Role : z/OS Architect (IBM) Location : Remote Mode of interview : Video interview Only apply if you have served at client as an Z/OS Lead / Architect Job Summary: We are seeking a highly experienced z/OS Architect to lead mainframe infrastructure initiatives, including hardware planning, data center migrations, and vendor coordination. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in IBM z/OS systems and mainframe architecture, with a strong ability to manage complex technical environments and drive operational excellence. Must have knowledge on IODF, IOCP designing and configuration, etc. Required Skills: • z/OS Administration, • Mainframe Architecture, • Data Center Migrations, • Hardware & Software Upgrade Coordination, • IODF, IOCP Designing Experience Nice to Have Skills: • Programming knowledge (REXX, COBOL, ASBMLR), • ITIL principles and processes Responsibilities: • Lead mainframe hardware configuration (CPU/CEC, DASD, VTS/TAPE, HMC, FICON Directors), • Manage hardware lifecycle planning, vendor coordination, and support activities, • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during data center migrations, • Provide ongoing support for mainframe hardware, including monitoring and maintenance, • Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to ensure timely upgrades and repairs, • Design and implement z/OS data replication strategies, • Build and support LPARs, Parallel Sysplex, Coupling Facility, SSI Clusters, and GDPS environments, • Maintain and optimize mainframe infrastructure (zOS, zLinux, zVM, zTPF), • Ensure compliance with IT policies, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans, • Review and improve existing IT hardware infrastructure, • Maintain hardware inventory and generate progress reports, • Provide leadership in testing, troubleshooting, and system optimization, • Evaluate technology risks and contribute to contract technical scopes Qualifications: • High Level of experience with IBM z/OS operating system (zOS 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1), • Strong experience on z/OS Datacenter migrations, • Mainframe Architecture knowledge with building new environments, • Experience in coordinating with vendors to complete hardware and software upgrades, • Lead the mainframe hardware configuration (CPU/CEC, DASD, VTS/TAPE, HMC and FICON Directors), inclusive of hardware planning lifecycles, vendor engagement for upgrades, and product support of repair/maintenance actions, • Ability to address technical problem determination issues during Datacenter migrations, • Responsible for the ongoing support for all mainframe hardware, including monitoring, trouble shooting, problem resolution, and maintenance including escalation to vendors for service restoration and problem resolution, • Strong network architecture understanding, • Business knowledge and application understanding, • Knowledge on z/OS Data Replication Strategy and implementation, • Experience and understanding of mainframe LPAR builds, Parallel Sysplex, Coupling Facility, SSI Clusters and GDPS environments, • Knowledge z/OS MF configuration and setup, • Work experience with other mainframe architects and vendors, communicating project progress/status expectations, and reviewing deliverables, • Migration details sharing which includes server hardware, software, and operating systems data gathering, • Expertise in IOCP / IOCDS / IODF / HCD, • Knowledge of replication services, IBM Flash Copy, Global Copy, Global mirror, Metro Mirror, Dell-EMC replication, • Working knowledge of TAPE GRID Clusters and hardware VTS/TAPE sharing between Operating Systems, • Ability to navigate mainframe systems such as zOS, zLinux, zVM, and zTPF, • Support mainframe infrastructure computing, storage, storage fabric, resiliency, and disaster recovery solutions, • Expertise in stabilizing the mainframe complexes (zTPF, zOS, zVM, zLinux) by providing high quality technical expertise, • Ability to engage in highly technical IT discussions concerning installations, upgrades, maintenance, and support, • Provide high level leadership while coordinating testing, troubleshooting, and modification of the operating system to provide near 100% operating efficiency, • General knowledge and expertise in CEC, DASD, VTS, HMC and FICON and other hardware., • Generate, publish and communicate project progress, • Assuring all IT activities are performed within the parameters of applicable compliance, codes, and regulations., • Evaluating technology risks to develop disaster recovery and BCP, • Reviewer for technical scope in contract with client and subcontractor, • Maintain Hardware Inventory and submit reports, • Review existing IT Hardware Infrastructure upgrade path and align / identify opportunity for improvements, • Knowledge of ITIL principles and processes, • Programming capabilities and languages a plus (REXX/COBOL/ASBMLR/etc), • Ability to make decisive and quick IT business decisions as necessary to meet company and customer SLA’s, • Have the technical ability and ambitious to take a project, run with it, and challenge yourself