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z/OS Systems Programmer / Administrator W Full Scope

Ft Meade, MD
Select Search LLC seeks IBM Systems Programmers (Administrators) in z/OS  and z/ VM for highly cleared long term positions.
TS +
(SCI w/FSP is ideal)

The z/OS System Programmer is an IT professional specializing in managing and maintaining the IBM z/OS operating system on mainframe computers, ensuring its smooth operation, stability, security, and performance by handling tasks like system upgrades, configuration changes, capacity planning, and troubleshooting complex issues that arise on these critical systems; essentially, they are the "guardians" of the z/OS environment within an organization. 
Profile:
  • Focus on Mainframe Systems:
They work exclusively on IBM mainframe computers running the z/OS operating system, which are often used for high-volume, mission-critical applications in industries like banking and finance. 
  • Technical Expertise:
They have in-depth knowledge of z/OS system parameters, commands, utilities, and security features, allowing them to optimize system performance and address technical challenges. 
  • Responsibilities:
    • Installing and configuring z/OS updates 
    • Monitoring system health and performance 
    • Managing system resources like memory, CPU, and storage 
    • Implementing security measures to protect sensitive data 
    • Troubleshooting system errors and resolving complex issues 
    • Performing capacity planning to anticipate future workload demands 
  • Collaboration:
They often collaborate with application programmers, system operators, and other IT teams to ensure smooth integration and operation of applications within the z/OS environment. 

The z/VM System Programmer is a specialist who manages and maintains the IBM z/VM operating system, which is a powerful hypervisor used on mainframe computers, primarily focused on configuring virtual machines and ensuring the smooth operation of the virtualized environment on the host system. 
Profile:
  • Expertise in z/VM:
They have in-depth knowledge of z/VM functionalities, including its commands, configuration parameters, and system architecture. 
  • Virtual machine management:
A primary responsibility is creating, managing, and maintaining virtual machines (guests) running on the z/VM host. 
  • System administration tasks:
This includes tasks like managing storage, network configuration, security settings, and performance optimization within the z/VM environment. 
  • Troubleshooting issues:
They diagnose and resolve problems related to virtual machine operations, system performance, and potential conflicts between guest systems. 
  • Complex environments:
Often work in large, complex IT environments with multiple virtual machines and diverse guest operating systems running on a single mainframe. 


The clearance requirement is TS/SCI with NSA Full Scope Polygraph. If you hold a clearance that is not at the FSP level, we can still engage.  Our client realizes people may hold a lower-level clearance but have a desire to move to the FSP and they will put you through the process to obtain the FSP.

Salaries are negotiable as well as engagement type however the clearance level makes independent contracting difficult. It is however open for discussion.
 
 

KVM System Administrator can potentially transition to being a z/VM system programmer, especially if they have a strong understanding of virtualization concepts and are willing to learn the specific features and commands of the IBM z/VM hypervisor, as both technologies involve managing virtual machines on a server, but with distinct functionalities and specific environments. 
Key points to consider:
  • Similar fundamentals:
Both KVM and z/VM are hypervisors, meaning they manage virtual machines on a host system, so a KVM administrator already has a solid foundation in virtualization concepts like resource allocation, guest OS management, and network configuration. 
  • Key differences:
    • Platform: KVM is a widely used open-source hypervisor that can run on various hardware platforms, while z/VM is specifically designed for IBM Z mainframes. 
    • Complexity: z/VM often involves more complex system management due to its extensive features and unique mainframe hardware capabilities. 
  • Learning curve:
While a KVM administrator can leverage their existing knowledge, they would need to acquire specific expertise in z/VM commands, system configuration, and how to interact with mainframe hardware. 


 

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