Storage Engineer

IBM Z/OS Mainframe Storage EngineerPosition Title: IBM Z/OS Mainframe Storage EngineerApproved On-Site Location: Chandler, AZOn-Site Schedule: Hybrid (3 days/week in office)Pay Rate: Up to $54.59/hour# Of Openings: 1Position Summary: The Mainframe Storage Engineer contractor supports mission-critical IBM Z storage platforms, ensuring high availability, resiliency, data protection, and regulatory compliance. The role focuses on BAU operations, automation, cyber-resilience, and delivery of storage services that enable parallel development, testing, and production workloads.Key Responsibilities:Operate and support IBM DS8000 (Gen9/Gen10) and associated mainframe storage environmentsDesign, implement, and support Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, Global Copy, and HyperSwapSupport continuous availability, GDPS-managed replication, and multi-site resiliency architecturesImplement and maintain Safeguarded Copy / immutable backups and cyber-resilient recovery designsExecute and validate DR tests, recovery automation, and control evidenceSupport parallel dev / test / prod environments without compromising controlsPerform BAU risk routines, capacity management, and storage provisioningAddress audit, regulatory, and security baseline requirementsSupport automation, tooling, and modernization initiativesPartner with application, platform, and infrastructure teams to reduce lead timesRequired Skills Experience:Strong experience with IBM Z / zOS mainframe storageHands-on expertise with DS8000 Copy Services and GDPSExperience with FICON, SAN concepts, and enterprise storage controlsKnowledge of DR, resiliency, cyber-recovery, and immutable backup patternsFamiliarity with regulated environments (financial services preferred)Ability to operate independently in a contractor / delivery role7-12+ years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise mainframe storage environmentsProven experience in 24x7, mission-critical, highly regulated production environmentsExperience operating at scale (multi-data center, multi-region, global firms). Strong understanding of:z/OS I/O architecture (CHPIDs, control units, paths)FICON protocols and multi-pathing conceptsI/O performance diagnostics (RMF, SMF, DCOLLECT)Experience working closely with z/OS systems programmersPython IBMDesired Qualifications:Automation scripting (REXX, Python, Ansible, or vendor tooling)Experience with storage modernization or large-scale migrationsExposure to audit, regulatory exams, and control evidence managementBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or equivalent practical experienceAdvanced technical certifications and vendor training preferred. Operational Capabilities/Technical SkillsLeadership of SMEs With Skills and/or Knowledge OfAssemblerAbility to understand and modify if/as neededNo new development readily forecastedACC/SRSCA1DFHSMDFSMSIBM Utilities/ExitsICF CatalogsDB2 and IMSStorage Admin perspectiveREXX