Mainframe Architect – IBM Z / Mainframe Infrastructure

brightvisiontechnologies; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Bright Vision Technologies is seeking a seasoned Mainframe Architect to lead enterprise IBM Z infrastructure across Core Mainframe hardware, z/OS, and related technologies. The role demands hands-on experience with IBM Z platforms, LPAR, HMC, CPC, PR/SM, and Sysplex/Parallel Sysplex, plus capacity planning and DR readiness.

The candidate will guide architecture, design, and modernization efforts, collaborating with application, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure scalable, reliable

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience working with enterprise Mainframe environments.
• Core Mainframe hardware / infrastructure experience.
• Hands-on experience with IBM Z, zSystems, zSeries, or System z platforms.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS architecture and Mainframe systems.
• Hands-on experience with LPAR, HMC, CPC, PR/SM, Sysplex / Parallel Sysplex, GDPS, IOCP / HCD, and capacity planning.
• Strong architecture, systems engineering, troubleshooting, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to work with both Mainframe infrastructure and application teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide architecture and technical leadership for enterprise IBM Mainframe environments.
• Design, evaluate, and support IBM Z / zSystems Mainframe infrastructure and hardware environments.
• Work with z/OS, LPAR, HMC, CPC, PR/SM, Sysplex, and Parallel Sysplex environments.
• Participate in Mainframe hardware upgrades, migrations, platform modernization, and infrastructure transformation initiatives.
• Support capacity planning, performance optimization, availability, resiliency, and disaster recovery initiatives.
• Analyze current Mainframe architecture and recommend improvements to scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate with Mainframe application development, infrastructure, operations, security, and enterprise architecture teams.
• Provide technical guidance on Mainframe platform capabilities, architecture standards, and infrastructure best practices.
• Support integration between Mainframe environments and distributed/cloud‑based platforms.
• Troubleshoot complex Mainframe infrastructure and platform‑level issues and provide appropriate technical solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, and recommendations.

Skills

Mainframe architecture

Technical leadership

System troubleshooting

Enterprise infrastructure

Capacity planning

Cross-team collaboration

Tools

IBM Z / zSystems

z/OS

LPAR

HMC

CPC

PR/SM

Sysplex

Parallel Sysplex

GDPS

IOCP / HCD

Job description

Mainframe Architect – IBM Z / Core Mainframe Infrastructure - Hybrid

Bright Vision Technologies is a technology consulting and software development company delivering cloud, AI, data, and enterprise solutions across the United States. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and well-respected organization offering tremendous career growth potential.

Job Title: Mainframe Architect – IBM Z / Core Mainframe Infrastructure
Location: Albany, NY (Hybrid)
Position Type: Contract, W2
Rate: Up to $65/hr on W2
Experience Required:8+ years

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Architect with a strong background in Core Mainframe Hardware, IBM Z / zSystems, and Mainframe Infrastructure Architecture.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience designing, supporting, and optimizing enterprise Mainframe environments, with strong knowledge of IBM Z hardware, z/OS, LPAR, HMC, CPC, PR/SM, Sysplex, and related Mainframe infrastructure technologies.

A strong understanding of Mainframe application development environments, including COBOL, CICS, DB2, and JCL, is highly desirable. This position is best suited for a senior Mainframe infrastructure or systems architect who also understands the application side of the Mainframe environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide architecture and technical leadership for enterprise IBM Mainframe environments.
• Design, evaluate, and support IBM Z / zSystems Mainframe infrastructure and hardware environments.
• Work with z/OS, LPAR, HMC, CPC, PR/SM, Sysplex, and Parallel Sysplex environments.
• Participate in Mainframe hardware upgrades, migrations, platform modernization, and infrastructure transformation initiatives.
• Support capacity planning, performance optimization, availability, resiliency, and disaster recovery initiatives.
• Analyze current Mainframe architecture and recommend improvements to scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate with Mainframe application development, infrastructure, operations, security, and enterprise architecture teams.
• Provide technical guidance on Mainframe platform capabilities, architecture standards, and infrastructure best practices.
• Support integration between Mainframe environments and distributed/cloud‑based platforms.
• Troubleshoot complex Mainframe infrastructure and platform‑level issues and provide appropriate technical solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, architecture diagrams, standards, and recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience working with enterprise Mainframe environments.
• Strong Core Mainframe Hardware / Infrastructure experience.
• Hands‑on experience with IBM Z, IBM zSystems, zSeries, or System z platforms.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS architecture and Mainframe systems.
• Hands‑on experience with several of the following:
  • LPAR
  • HMC
  • CPC
  • PR/SM
  • Sysplex / Parallel Sysplex
  • GDPS
  • IOCP / HCD
  • Mainframe capacity planning
  • Hardware upgrades and migrations
  • High availability and disaster recovery
• Strong architecture, systems engineering, troubleshooting, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to work with both Mainframe infrastructure and application teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding or prior hands‑on experience with COBOL, CICS, DB2, JCL, IMS, VSAM, or REXX.
• Experience with Mainframe modernization or transformation initiatives.
• Experience integrating Mainframe systems with distributed or cloud environments.
• Banking, financial services, insurance, or other large enterprise experience.
• Experience working in large-scale, highly available production Mainframe environments.
• IBM Z / z/OS certifications are a plus.

Important

Core Mainframe Hardware / IBM Z Infrastructure experience is a key requirement for this position. Candidates whose experience is limited primarily to COBOL, CICS, DB2, JCL, or Mainframe application development may not be a suitable fit.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Bright Vision Technologies (BV Teck) is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, leaves of absence, termination, layoffs, and recall.

BV Teck expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Any improper interference with employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.