Mainframe z/VM & Linux Engineer

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. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of Sysplex, networking, and storage integration Experience with Monitoring tools (e.g., Grafana, OMEGAMON) and Automation tooling (Ansible, scripting).

Job Title: Mainframe z/VM & Linux Engineer
Duration: 6 months contract to hire
Work Location: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid – 3days onsite, 2days WFH)
Compensation: Open Bill Rate

Overview:
We are 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
• 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
• Perform system IPLs and hardware configuration updates via HMC

Linux on Z Administration:

• Install, configure, and maintain Linux distributions on IBM Z:
  • RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu
• 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

Operations & Support:

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

Automation & Integration:

• Automate provisioning and operational tasks using:
  • REXX, Shell scripting, Python (preferred)
• Support DevOps and integration initiatives:
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes – optional)
• Assist application teams with deploying workloads on Linux on Z

Security & Compliance:

• Implement and maintain security controls:
  • RACF integration for z/VM
  • Linux OS hardening
• Ensure compliance with enterprise standards and audit requirements
• Support vulnerability management and patch remediation

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