Solution Architect – Mainframe Storage

Location: Remote – Minnesota (MN)

Duration - 12+ Months

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect specializing in IBM Mainframe Storage Administration and Enterprise Storage Technologies. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in z/OS storage environments, EMC/Dell storage platforms, IBM mainframe systems programming, and disaster recovery operations.

This role is responsible for maintaining, optimizing, and supporting enterprise mainframe storage infrastructure, ensuring reliability, capacity management, compliance, and operational continuity across production and disaster recovery environments.

Key Skills and Technical Knowledge

• EMC/Dell storage administration experience within the last five years.
• IBM Mainframe systems programming and administration experience within the last five years.
• Strong experience with DT storage.
• Required experience with DLM storage management.
• Extensive knowledge of IBM z/OS storage tools, utilities, and operational processes.
• Experience supporting enterprise storage environments and disaster recovery infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience administering mainframe storage environments using z/OS tools, jobs, and commands.
• Strong knowledge of SMS/DASD utilization, HSM health monitoring, DLM space management, and storage volume administration.
• Experience with storage reliability monitoring, incident management, and change request processes.
• Ability to produce compliance and capacity reports, including SCRT and SMF reporting.
• Experience managing storage housekeeping, reclamation, and automation processes.
• Knowledge of disk initialization, tape consolidation, and core storage software maintenance.
• Experience supporting disaster recovery activation, teardown, and testing activities.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities.

Mainframe Storage Operations

The Solution Architect will be responsible for daily mainframe storage administration and monitoring activities, including:

• Monitor SMS storage pools and optimize utilization of SMS/DASD resources.
• Review storage environments and submit change requests or incidents when required.
• Monitor HSM Control Dataset utilization and percentage thresholds.
• Verify HSM functions and ensure no critical processes are held or inactive.
• Review daily HSM activity and operational status.
• Monitor DLM allocation and available free space.
• Execute FastAudit processes across both storage plexes.
• Monitor storage volumes and spill volumes across both plexes.
• Identify uncatalogued datasets on SMS and non-SMS volumes.
• Identify production datasets located on test volumes and test datasets located on production volumes.
• Create and distribute monthly IBM and Broadcom SCRT reports.
• Verify daily track reclaim jobs and housekeeping automation.
• Initialize disk volumes as required.
• Create and execute tape-connected pair consolidation activities.

Storage Products Installation and Maintenance

Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining the following products is required:

• DLM Utilities
• Mainframe Enablers (MF Enablers)
• Solutions Enabler for Mainframe and Windows environments
• GDDR (Geographically Dispersed Disaster Restart)
• Tape Copy
• Unisphere for Windows
• Enterprise disaster recovery storage solutions

Disaster Recovery Responsibilities

• Verify mainframe production disaster recovery datasets before storage environment separation or splitting activities.
• Activate mainframe network nodes and disaster recovery infrastructure when required.
• Coordinate mainframe disaster recovery activation and teardown procedures.
• Perform system housekeeping activities, including DR SMF and SCRT data collection jobs.
• Deactivate and shut down mainframe LPARS following disaster recovery operations.
• Complete storage teardown activities for mainframe disaster recovery environments.
• Support disaster recovery testing, readiness, and operational continuity requirements.

Dell Hardware Maintenance and Infrastructure Support

• Collaborate with Dell Engineering teams to patch, upgrade, troubleshoot, and resolve issues with DLM, Data Domain, and PowerMax hardware.
• Monitor EMC/Dell enterprise storage hardware health and performance.
• Support hardware maintenance activities across production and disaster recovery environments.
• Assist with infrastructure upgrades, firmware updates, and storage platform improvements.

Storage Monitoring and Health Management

Monitor enterprise storage systems using appropriate management and monitoring tools, including:

• EMC PowerMax storage systems using CloudIQ and Unisphere.
• DLM storage systems using DLM Monitor.
• Dell Data Domain systems using Data Domain Systems Monitor.
• Storage infrastructure health across multiple data center environments.
• Storage performance, capacity, availability, and hardware alerts.
• SSL certificates and system health for Unisphere, DLM, and Data Domain monitoring platforms.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate operational documentation, procedures, and configuration records.
• Ensure storage environments comply with enterprise standards and operational policies.
• Participate in capacity planning and infrastructure optimization initiatives.
• Support technical teams during storage-related incidents and service interruptions.
• Provide recommendations for improving storage reliability, performance, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, systems programming, and disaster recovery teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in large-scale enterprise mainframe environments.
• Knowledge of EMC PowerMax, DLM, Data Domain, and Dell storage technologies.
• Experience with IBM z/OS, SMS, HSM, DASD, and tape management.
• Strong understanding of storage disaster recovery and business continuity concepts.
• Experience with CloudIQ, Unisphere, Solutions Enabler, and related storage administration tools.
• Ability to work independently in a remote technical environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.