Senior RACF Architect - Vice President

Morgan Stanley; Alpharetta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Stanley in Alpharetta, GA is seeking a senior RACF engineer to design, implement, and support mainframe security across complex environments. You will work with IBM RACF, IBM zSecure, and related tools to automate security processes and respond to audits.

The role requires deep hands-on experience, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate with security, operations, development, and audit teams. Occasional off-hours support may be needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience as a RACF engineer, security engineer, or senior mainframe security administrator.
• Advanced hands-on knowledge of IBM RACF and IBM zSecure, including configuration, internals, reporting, administration, and engineering support.
• Proficiency with JCL, REXX, and CARLa for automation, reporting, utilities, and security tooling development.

Responsibilities

• Design, engineer, and support mainframe security initiatives related to authentication, authorization, encryption, privileged access, sensitive data protection, automation, reporting, utilities, and batch processes.
• Partner with Mainframe Security Architecture and Engineering teams to develop technical solutions, validate designs, perform testing, and support implementation.
• Support deployment of security solutions, including process changes, operational handoff, documentation, and training for security operations teams.
• Assess technical feasibility of proposed solutions and recommend approaches that meet security, operational, audit, and resiliency requirements.
• Collaborate with application development, security product owners, systems programming, database, CICS/MQ, business, and audit teams to gather requirements and implement effective security solutions.
• Create and maintain security monitoring, automation, and reporting solutions using tools such as IBM zSecure, Compliance Manager, Admin Express, multifactor authentication platforms, and key management capabilities.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators, control health, and operational trends; recommend preventative actions and process improvements as needed.
• Provide subject matter expertise on RACF, z/OS security controls, and mainframe security best practices to address questions, issues, audit inquiries, and project requirements.

Skills

RACF

IBM zSecure

Automation scripting

JCL

REXX

CARLa

TSO/ISPF

Security engineering

Audit knowledge

Mainframe security

Tools

IBM zSecure

Admin Express

Compliance Manager

Key Management

Multifactor platforms

Job description

Role Requirement

The Mainframe Security team is seeking a senior RACF engineer to support mainframe security engineering, tooling, automation, and project execution. The ideal candidate will have deep hands‑on experience with IBM RACF, IBM zSecure, and the broader IBM Z security ecosystem, with the ability to design, implement, and support security solutions across complex mainframe environments. This role requires strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work independently with infrastructure, security, application development, and operations teams. The position may require occasional off‑hours support for project implementations, production changes, and critical security initiatives.

Key Activities

• Design, engineer, and support mainframe security initiatives related to authentication, authorization, encryption, privileged access, sensitive data protection, automation, reporting, utilities, and batch processes.
• Partner with Mainframe Security Architecture and Engineering teams to develop technical solutions, validate designs, perform testing, and support implementation.
• Support deployment of security solutions, including process changes, operational handoff, documentation, and training for security operations teams.
• Assess technical feasibility of proposed solutions and recommend approaches that meet security, operational, audit, and resiliency requirements.
• Collaborate with application development, security product owners, systems programming, database, CICS/MQ, business, and audit teams to gather requirements and implement effective security solutions.
• Create and maintain security monitoring, automation, and reporting solutions using tools such as IBM zSecure, Compliance Manager, Admin Express, multifactor authentication platforms, and key management capabilities.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators, control health, and operational trends; recommend preventative actions and process improvements as needed.
• Provide subject matter expertise on RACF, z/OS security controls, and mainframe security best practices to address questions, issues, audit inquiries, and project requirements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience as a RACF engineer, security engineer, or senior mainframe security administrator.
• Advanced hands‑on knowledge of IBM RACF and IBM zSecure, including configuration, internals, reporting, administration, and engineering support.
• Proficiency with JCL, REXX, and CARLa for automation, reporting, utilities, and security tooling development.
• Experience with core z/OS utilities and facilities, including TSO, ISPF, SDSF, and related operational tooling.
• Working knowledge of database technologies and query tools such as DB2, Sybase, and SQL.
• Experience implementing and supporting mainframe authentication and encryption capabilities, including digital certificates, key management, multifactor authentication, and related controls.
• Broad understanding of z/OS infrastructure disciplines, including systems programming, storage, networking, UNIX System Services, CICS, DB2, performance, and enterprise tooling.
• Strong understanding of Identity and Access Management best practices, including least privilege, privileged access management, access certification, segregation of duties, and vulnerability management principles.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results with limited oversight.
• Strong project planning, organization, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office business applications, including Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player who promotes a team‑first mindset and contributes to an inclusive, respectful culture.

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $170,000 per year at the commencement of employment. Base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long‑term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents. Our workforce reflects a broad cross‑section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.

For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.