Mainframe z/VM/ Linux Engineer (Chandler-AZ/Plano-TX/Jersey City-NJ, Charlotte-NC)

Mainframe z/VM & Linux Engineer

Open for W2 arrangements only

Location: Chandler, AZ; Plano, TX; Charlotte, NC; and Jersey City, NJ from Day 1 (Client prefer local folks)

Hybrid Schedule: 3 Onsite Days (Tue, Wed, Thur) & 2 Remote Days (Mon, Fri)

Duration: 6+ months, extendable

It is with Banking client with Implementation partner

Mode of Interview: 2 Rounds mostly In person

The Role:

• Client is seeking an experienced Mainframe z/VM & Linux Engineer to support IBM Z virtualization environments and Linux on Z platforms.
• This role is responsible for provisioning, maintaining, and optimizing virtual machines and Linux systems running on z/VM, ensuring high availability, performance, and secure operations in enterprise environments.

Responsibilities:

z/VM Administration:

• Install, configure, and maintain IBM z/VM systems
• Perform system IPLs and hardware configuration updates via HMC

Manage lifecycle of virtual machines (guests):

• Provisioning
• Scaling
• Decommissioning

Administer z/VM components such as:

• DirMaint
• VMSES/E
• RACF for z/VM security

Apply system maintenance:

• RSUs, PTFs, APARs, and service updates

Linux on Z Administration:

• Support deployment and management of Linux workloads on z/VM
• Ensure system stability, performance, and security compliance
• Perform patching, upgrades, and vulnerability remediation
• Manage file systems, storage, and network configurations

Install, configure, and maintain Linux distributions on IBM Z:

• RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu

Operations & Support:

• Analyze logs and system metrics to ensure operational stability
• Provide L2/L3 support for production environments

Monitor system performance and availability:

• CPU, memory, I/O utilization
• Workload performance and capacity

Troubleshoot and resolve system issues:

• Performance bottlenecks
• VM failures
• Linux system errors

Automation & Integration

• Assist application teams with deploying workloads on Linux on Z

Automate provisioning and operational tasks using:

• REXX, Shell scripting, Python (preferred)

Support DevOps and integration initiatives:

• CI/CD pipelines
• Container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes – optional)

Security & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with enterprise standards and audit requirements
• Support vulnerability management and patch remediation

Implement and maintain security controls:

• RACF integration for z/VM
• Linux OS hardening

Governance & Documentation

• Maintain system documentation and configuration records

Ensure all changes follow:

• ITIL / ServiceNow change management processes
• Support DR planning and execution for z/VM and Linux systems

Required Qualifications:

Strong experience with:

• IBM z/VM (z/VM 6.x / 7.x)
• Linux on IBM Z (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu)

Hands-on experience with:

• Virtual machine provisioning and management
• VM directory management (DirMaint)
• System maintenance (RSUs, APARs, VMSES/E)

Knowledge of:

• HMC operations and IPL processes
• Storage (DASD) and networking on z systems

Strong troubleshooting skills across:

• z/VM system issues
• Linux OS performance and configuration

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of Sysplex, networking, and storage integration
• Experience with Monitoring tools (e.g., Grafana, OMEGAMON) and Automation tooling (Ansible, scripting)
• Exposure to Cloud integration / hybrid environments and Container workloads on Linux on Z

Pay Range: $65/hr - $70/hr

The specific compensation for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role as well as the cost of labor in the market; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Our full-time consultants have access to benefits including medical, dental, and vision as well as 401K contributions.