Job Description Backup Administrator (L3)

Specialization: IBM Spectrum Protect (TSM) & Veritas NetBackup

1. Role Summary

The L3 Backup Administrator is responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and optimizing enterprise backup and recovery environments. This role provides advanced technical support for IBM Spectrum Protect (TSM) and Veritas NetBackup, ensures data protection best practices, and leads troubleshooting of complex backup/restore issues.

2. Key Responsibilities

Administration & Operations

Manage daily backup and restore operations using IBM Spectrum Protect (TSM) and Veritas NetBackup.

Perform advanced troubleshooting of failed backups, restores, and replication jobs.

Manage backup schedules, policies, retention levels, and storage pools.

Maintain and optimize tape libraries, VTLs, storage devices, and cloud-based backup targets.

Design & Implementation

Architect and deploy backup solutions for new applications, servers, and databases.

Plan and execute upgrades, patching, and migration activities for TSM and NetBackup environments.

Implement backup strategies for virtualized infrastructures (VMware, Hyper-V).

Configure deduplication technologies (TSM Dedup, NetBackup MSDP, appliance-based dedupe).

Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor health and performance of backup servers, clients, and storage systems.

Generate daily/weekly/monthly backup compliance and capacity reports.

Maintain documentation for backup architecture, SOPs, DR procedures, and runbooks.

Security & Compliance

Ensure backup policies align with business RTO/RPO requirements.

Support audit and compliance checks (ISO, SOX, GDPR, internal audits).

Implement encryption, retention locks, and secure data handling practices.

L3 Escalation & Leadership

Act as L3 level support for resolving complex technical issues.

Mentor L1 and L2 teams and conduct training sessions.

Collaborate with server, storage, VM, DB, and cloud teams.

3. Technical Skills Required

IBM Spectrum Protect (TSM)

Server and client configuration

Storage pool management (disk, tape, dedupe)

Library & drive configuration

TDPs: Oracle, SQL, VMware, Exchange

Disaster Recovery Manager (DRM)

TSM SQL queries and log management

Veritas NetBackup

Master & Media server administration

Backup policies: VMware, SQL, Oracle, NDMP, SAP

NetBackup Appliances (52xx/53xx)

MSDP and dedupe tuning

SLPs, AIR, replication

Catalog management and DR recovery

Platforms

Windows & Linux OS

VMware vSphere

Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP backup integration) optional

Scripting (Preferred)

PowerShell

Shell scripting

Python (nice to have)

4. Soft Skills

Strong analytical and problemsolving ability

Good communication and documentation skills

Ability to work under pressure and manage critical incidents

Customer-focused mindset

5. Experience

510+ years of handson experience with TSM/IBM Spectrum Protect and/or Veritas NetBackup.

Experience handling enterprise backup environments (1000+ clients preferred).

6. Certifications (Good to Have)

IBM Certified Administrator Spectrum Protect

Veritas NetBackup Certified Specialist (VCS)

ITIL Foundation