Mainframe Storage and Backup Administrator

M&T Bank Corporation; Clanton (AL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 25 days + 12 holidays

401(k) 5% match

Volunteer hours 40h/yr

Health & welfare benefits

Job summary

M&T Bank Corporation seeks a skilled Mainframe Storage and Backup Administrator to oversee enterprise storage and backup environments in Clanton, Alabama. You will manage IBM DS8000/DS8950F arrays, configure GDPS replication, and administer TS7700/TS7780 virtual tape systems to ensure high availability and resilience for mission-critical workloads.

Responsibilities include storage provisioning, performance tuning, backup/recovery design, DR drills, and on-call support.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of higher education and/or related work experience
• Knowledge of IBM DS8000/DS8950F storage and GDPS replication
• Experience with TS7700/TS7780 virtual tape systems
• Understanding of DFSMS, VSAM RLS, SMS, DFP, and z/OS storage architecture
• Experience in backup/recovery planning and execution

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain IBM DS8000/DS8950F storage arrays
• Configure GDPS Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, and HyperSwap
• Administer TS7700/TS7780 virtual tape systems
• Implement Safeguarded Copy and data protection features
• Perform storage provisioning and tuning for z/OS
• Design and implement backup/recovery strategies
• Conduct DR drills and failover simulations
• Provide 24/7 on-call support
• Develop technical documentation and SOPs

Skills

Storage administration

Mainframe expertise

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in CS/IT

Tools

IBM DS8000/DS8950F

GDPS replication

TS7700/TS7780

CA Disk / CA View/Deliver / CA Vantage

Job description

Overview:

We are seeking a Mainframe Storage and Backup Administrator to oversee, manage, and optimize enterprise-level mainframe storage and backup environments. This role requires technical expertise in IBM DS8000 series storage systems, GDPS replication technologies, virtual tape (TS7700/TS7780), backup and recovery solutions, and mainframe data protection strategies. The ideal candidate will ensure stability, high availability, performance, and resilience across all storage and backup platforms supporting mission‑critical business workloads.

Key Responsibilities

Mainframe Storage Administration

Manage and maintain IBM DS8000/DS8950F storage arrays and related components.

Configure and support GDPS Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, and GDPS HyperSwap environments.

Administer TS7700/TS7780 Virtual Tape Systems including Grid and Clustering.

Implement and manage Safeguarded Copy and other data protection features.

Support enhanced-format datasets and DFP segment management.

Perform storage provisioning, allocation, tuning, and troubleshooting for z/OS environments.

Backup & Recovery

Design, implement, and maintain backup and recovery strategies for mainframe systems.

Manage backup schedules, retention policies, and virtual tape environments.

Conduct routine recovery validations, DR drills, and failover/failback simulations.

Support business continuity initiatives and CoLO or multi‑DC migrations.

Performance & Capacity Management

Conduct capacity planning for disk, tape, and replication environments.

Analyze performance metrics, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements.

Generate regular reporting on consumption, growth, and performance trends.

Tools & Automation

Administer CA Disk (DMS), CA Allocate, CA View/Deliver, and CA Vantage.

Automate operational tasks and reporting using REXX, JCL, or other scripting tools.

Operational Support

Provide 24/7 support as part of an on‑call rotation, including off‑business hours and weekend production changes.

Collaborate with system programmers, application teams, and disaster recovery teams.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, SOPs, and recovery guides.

Required Qualifications

Combined minimum of 6 years’ higher education and/or related work experience

Knowledge of IBM DS8000/DS8950F, GDPS replication solutions, and TS7700/TS7780 virtual tape systems.

Experience with CA storage products: CA Disk, CA Allocate, CA View/Deliver, CA Vantage.

Understanding of DFSMS, VSAM RLS, SMS constructs, DFP, enhanced-format datasets, and z/OS storage architecture.

Proven experience with backup/recovery planning and execution.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field.

7+ years hands‑on experience in mainframe storage administration in large‑scale environments.

Experience with Active‑Active mainframe architectures.

Prior involvement in multi‑data center migrations or CoLO transitions.

Familiarity with z/OS, JES2, REXX, and automation frameworks.

IBM or Broadcom certifications in Storage, GDPS, or Tape Technologies.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication.

Strong collaboration across teams and stakeholders.

Ability to mentor junior staff and lead knowledge‑transfer efforts.

High attention to detail and discipline in documentation.

Ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑availability environments.

We support our team members with generous benefits.

Competitive compensation

Health, welfare, and retirement benefits

401(k) match at 5%

Work-life balance and flexible work arrangements

Banking Officers start with 25 days PTO plus 12 paid holidays

40 hours paid volunteer hours per year

Much more. For details, see: M&T Benefits Overview (https://www3.mtb.com/content/dam/mtb-web/mtb-migration/pdfs/health-care-benefits-overview.pdf)

Location

Clanton, Alabama, United States of America

M&T Bank Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including disabilities and veterans.

The pay range for this position is $80,900.00 - $134,800.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation. The range listed above corresponds to our national pay range for this role. The specific pay range applicable to you may vary based on your location.