Position: Mainframe Storage Specialist / System Programmer
Location: Plano, TX (On-Site)
About the Role
We are seeking a Mainframe Storage Specialist based in Plano, TX, to administer, optimize, and secure mission-critical IBM z/OS storage environments. Sitting within Plano’s enterprise technology corridor, this role is responsible for Direct Access Storage Devices (DASD), virtual tape subsystems, capacity planning, and business continuity/disaster recovery (BC/DR) execution.
DASD & Subsystem Management: Manage IBM DS8000 and Hitachi VSP hardware using DFSMS, DFSMShsm, DFSMSdss, DFP, and ICF Catalogs. Perform DASD-to-DASD migrations and VSAM tuning.
Tape Management Systems: Oversee Virtual Tape Server (VTS) and Automated Tape Libraries (ATL) via IBM RMM, CA-1, or DFSMSrmm.
Disaster Recovery & Replication: Maintain continuous availability using GDPS, Copy Services Manager (CSM), FlashCopy, Metro Mirror, and Global Mirror technologies. Lead regular DR exercises and recovery testing.
Capacity & Performance Optimization: Track storage trends, execute space-reclamation initiatives, monitor SMS pool allocations, and prevent space-related abends.
Support & Automation: Provide 24x7 operational escalation support for storage-related incidents, write/modify REXX or JCL scripts for routine operational automation, and apply regular z/OS storage maintenance.
Experience: 5–8+ years of hands-on experience as a Mainframe z/OS System Programmer or Storage Specialist.
Core Toolset Mastery:
DFS Storage Family: DFSMS, DFSMShsm, DFSMSdss, DFP.
Utilities & Monitoring: ICKDSF, TSO/ISPF, JCL, REXX, Mainview, or Omegamon.
Tape Management: DFSMSrmm, CA-1, or CA-TLMS.
Data & Catalog Management: ICF Catalogs, IDCAMS, VSAM allocation and management.
Hardware Expertise: Direct experience managing IBM DS8000 series storage frames, IBM TS7700 VTS, or Hitachi/Dell EMC mainframe storage arrays.
