Mainframe Hardware Engineer

TEKsystems•Detroit, MI

10d•$65 - $65•Remote

About The Position

IBM zSeries Hardware Specialist We are seeking an experienced IBM zSeries Hardware Specialist to join our Mainframe Infrastructure team. This role is responsible for the installation, configuration, monitoring, and support of IBM zSeries mainframe hardware and associated peripheral systems across our global data centers. The ideal candidate will work closely with mainframe, storage, network, and business infrastructure teams to deliver modern, cost-effective, redundant and highly reliable mainframe hardware solutions that support critical enterprise operations. This position also plays a key role in the ongoing mainframe data center transitions, hardware modernization initiatives, and disaster recovery planning. Employees part of this function are responsible for building and operating IT hardware and software resources in on-prem, cloud or hybrid scenarios in support of internal customer needs. They are responsible for a wide variety of activities that operationalize cross functional teams such as capacity planning and resource optimization solutions for one-off and long-term workloads, planning, configuring and maintaining servers (including mainframes), creating virtualized environments, providing analytics services, installing and maintaining specialized tools, etc

Requirements

B.S. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience)
Prior hands-on experience with IBM Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM) and Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD)
Prior working experience with IBM mainframe processors (zSeries), Enterprise Storage Servers, IBM Console Support Controller, Cisco FICON Switches, and Virtual Tape Storage (VTS)
Working knowledge of z/OS operating system internals and MVS operator commands
Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends, and rotational on-call support (24x7x365)
Experience with computer networking, including routers, switches, firewalls, and FICON/Cisco ACI network infrastructure
Experience with writing specs for the Automation team to implement automation related to Hardware messages and alerts.
Working knowledge of the Linux operating system
Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with Access, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Visio for project administration is highly desirable
z/os, mainframe
Great Communication, ability to support off-hours work as needed

Responsibilities

Define and maintain zSeries hardware components using IBM Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM, CMT (Connectivity Mapping Tool) and Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD).
Analyze and determine hardware configurations to distribute I/O across mainframes, storage systems, data centers, and worldwide Cisco ACI and FICON networks.
Program Cisco FICON switches and mainframe IOGENs to support mainframe resources and environments
Design, install, and maintain mainframe cable infrastructure, including cabling hardware into the Cisco ACI and FICON fiber networks
Coordinate and plan all hardware installations and de-installations, including assembling and managing installation/de-installation teams.
Coordinate and plan all hardware microcode upgrades.
Monitor, track, and diagnose hardware failures across all mainframe computer systems and peripheral devices
Provide prompt problem determination and implement immediate corrective action in the event of hardware failures
Schedule and supervise hardware maintenance activities
Supervise hardware suppliers during equipment installation (placement, power installation, equipment clearance, etc.)
Provide weekend, evening, and on-call (24x7x365, pager rotation) support for hardware failures and configuration launches.
Coordinate hardware activities with other teams, including Network, Operations and Facilities.
Coordinate changes with storage and software teams when planning and implementing new hardware and configurations
Attend Facility Planning meetings and support data center transition/consolidation efforts
Participate in Disaster Recovery planning and testing, and serve as technical liaison when installing equipment for D/R or consolidation purposes
Lead cross-functional teams and drive results on mainframe hardware projects
Research and implement new technologies to modernize mainframe hardware infrastructure
Involved in the design, operation, and maintenance of enterprise servers, including specialty mainframe systems like IBM/LPARS, high performance super computing systems, and general-purpose hybrid and cloud systems, for optimal end-user business operations.
Research, design, implement and maintain complex infrastructure solutions for internal customer needs such as specialty software, data warehouses, identity access management, event frameworks, containerization and on demand scaling, etc.
Design and configure secure virtualized environments aligned with enterprise architecture blueprints consisting of virtual machines, virtual networks, high speed and distributed storage systems (SAN, HDFS, SSD, etc.)
Utilize existing tools or assist in engineering custom monitoring solutions to ensure systems are configured correctly, run efficiently and remain secure against potential threats.
Monitor and review resources like CPU, memory, storage, and network traffic to ensure effective utilization aligned with expected parameters and to safeguard against runaway costs.
Resolve bottlenecks and plan for future capacity needs based on resource usage trends. Advise enterprise architecture teams on usage trends to incorporate into future blueprints.