Principal, Infra Mainframe Storage
Core
Lead IBM Z storage design, resilience, and governance across production, DR, and test platforms for a mission-critical banking environment.
Role type
Principal Mainframe Storage Architect
Builds
Enterprise storage standards, replication architectures, capacity models, and resilience policies for IBM Z environments.
Domain
Banking / Mainframe Infrastructure
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
IBM Z storage architecture, DS8000/DS8900 volume management, GDPS Metro/XRC replication, DFSMS/DFSMShsm policies, FICON/SAN design, SMS policy design, HSM migration strategies, zFS layout design, storage performance tuning, capacity planning, vendor roadmap evaluation, MSP governance, IODF/HCD configuration, tape subsystem management, z/OS fundamentals.
Preferred skills
EMC/Dell storage in mainframe environments, IBM FlashSystem 9500, Ansible for Z, IBM Z System Automation, watsonx Assistant for Z.
Technologies
IBM DS8000, DS8900, FlashSystem, GDPS, DFSMS, DFSMShsm, FICON, SAN, TS7700, TS4500, z/OS, zFS, RMF, SMF 42, Brocade, Ansible, watsonx.
Responsibilities
Lead IBM Z storage architecture across DASD, flash, tape, SAN, and replication services; Define enterprise storage standards, naming conventions, capacity models, and resilience policies; Serve as design authority for Mainframe storage upgrades, refreshes, change implementation, and DR testing; Design and maintain GDPS Metro and XRC replication architecture, topology, and failover processes; Own SMS policy design aligned to data lifecycle, retention, resilience, and capacity requirements; Define HSM migration, backup, and recall policies to optimise cost, recovery, and performance; Design zFS layouts for z/OS UNIX workloads, including zCX where needed; Evaluate new storage technologies for fit, risk, compliance, and enterprise adoption; Advise vendors on storage roadmaps, capacity, and refresh planning; Maintain clear storage architecture documents, design records, and as-built diagrams; Configure, validate, tune, and troubleshoot DS8000 storage platforms and copy services; Maintain GDPS scripts and validate configurations after every hardware change; Own IODF/HCD storage definitions and validate paths before IPLs and hardware changes; Troubleshoot storage path, channel, and IOS issues during changes and incidents; Lead storage capacity planning using RMF, SMF 42, and DS8000 performance metrics; Validate tape subsystem connectivity, paths, definitions, and cabling; Provide executive reporting on storage health, capacity, replication, and risk; Review MSP design documents, diagrams, reports, plans, RCAs, and changes; Monitor MSP stability and use incident trends, repeat changes, and drift to drive service improvements; Lead MSP service reviews for technical standards and delivery quality on Mainframe Storage.
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with strategic oversight