Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Mainframe OPS Automation / GDPS Specialist to design, implement, and support automated operations and disaster recovery solutions across our enterprise z/OS mainframe environments. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in OPS/MVS (CA OPS/MVS) automation tools and IBM GDPS (Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex) for high availability, business continuity, and site failover capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
OPS/MVS Automation:
- Design, develop, and maintain automated operations routines using OPS/MVS (Broadcom CA OPS/MVS)
- Write and optimize REXX scripts for automation workflows, event management, and system monitoring
- Configure and support OPS/MVS components:
- AOF (Automated Operations Facility)
- ECF (Enhanced Console Facility)
- COF (CICS Operations Facility)
- EPI (External Product Interface)
- HWS (Hardware Services)
- Automate IPL routines, system startup/shutdown procedures, and batch job
- Monitor and respond to system messages, console alerts, and automated triggers
- Implement failover automation for multi-site environments ensuring seamless process transfer
- Integrate automation with ServiceNow ITSM for ticketing and workflow automation
GDPS (Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex):
- Design, deploy, and configure GDPS solutions:
- GDPS Metro (synchronous PPRC)
- GDPS Global Mirror (asynchronous replication)
- Metro Global Mirror (MGM)
- Logical Corruption Protection (LCP)
- Test Copy Manager (TCM)
- Install and maintain IBM System Automation for z/OS and IBM Z NetView as part of GDPS automation stack
- Configure and manage IBM DS8000 storage systems, including:
- Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, FlashCopy, Safeguarded Copy
- Develop and maintain GDPS scripts for:
- Planned and unplanned site switches
- Disaster recovery and rapid recovery scenarios
- Monitor GDPS environments using NetView panels, GDPS GUI, Status Display Facility (SDF)
- Participate in disaster recovery testing, failover/failback exercises, and DR drill
General Responsibilities:
- Troubleshoot automation failures, system errors, and prepare detailed problem reports
- Maintain documentation including runbooks, automation logic, process guides
- Follow change-control discipline with peer code reviews and version control (Git)
- Collaborate with storage, network, and mainframe infrastructure teams
- Provide 24/7 on-call support as part of rotation schedule
- Partner with operations staff to design and implement automated solutions
Required Skills & Qualifications
Technical Skills:
- 612 years of hands-on experience in mainframe operations and automation
- Strong expertise in OPS/MVS (CA OPS/MVS) configuration and administrationtalents.
- Expert-level REXX programming for automation scripting
- 5+ years of experience with IBM GDPS (Metro, Global Mirror, MGM)
- In-depth knowledge of z/OS operating system, JES2/JES3, VTAM, RACF/ACF2
- Experience with IBM System Automation for z/OS and NetView
- Storage management knowledge: IBM DS8000, DFSMS, DASD, FICON, Metro Mirror, Global Mirror
- Proficiency in TSO/ISPF, JCL, CLIST
- Understanding of Parallel Sysplex technology and disaster recovery concepts (RTO/RPO, consistency groups)
- Experience with monitoring tools: Omegamon, Mainview, SYSVIEW
Preferred Skills:
- ServiceNow ITSM ticketing and workflow automation
- Experience with AIOps/event management platforms (Moogsoft)
- DevOps tooling: Jenkins (Zowe plug-in), Ansible automation
- API configuration and RESTful integration
- Familiarity with SQL, DB2, CICS, IMS
- Knowledge of IBM TS7700 virtual tape, VTS
