Mainframe Storage Engineer (Entry Level)
The Mainframe Storage Engineer supports and maintains the Confidential Client's enterprise mainframe storage environment, focusing on storage infrastructure, tape management, backup and recovery, and data availability. This entry-level role involves monitoring storage systems, assisting with provisioning and disaster recovery, troubleshooting under senior guidance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure mission-critical system reliability. The position is onsite in Durham, NC, requiring strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills to support federal enterprise storage operations.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This entry‑level Mainframe Storage Engineer role supports enterprise mainframe storage and tape management systems for a Confidential Client. You will work on a team that ensures data availability, backup and recovery, and operational stability across production and test mainframe environments.
- Support day‑to‑day operations of the mainframe storage environment
- Monitor storage systems for availability, performance, and capacity
- Assist with storage provisioning, backup, recovery, and data management requests
- Support administration of IBM SMS constructs, storage classes, management classes, and ISMF configurations
- Help manage tape management systems and virtual tape environments
- Participate in disaster recovery exercises, backup validation, and recovery testing
- Troubleshoot storage, backup, replication, and dataset issues with guidance from senior engineers
- Respond to customer requests involving JCL, datasets, catalog management, ISPF, TSO, and storage utilities
- Create and maintain technical and operational documentation (Microsoft Office)
- Assist with scripting and automation initiatives (Ansible, Linux CLI) to improve operational efficiency
- Support storage performance analysis, capacity planning, and reporting
- Use ServiceNow for change management and incident resolution
- Collaborate with systems programmers, application teams, and infrastructure engineers on infrastructure projects and upgrades
What We’re Looking For (Minimum Qualifications)
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Public Trust clearance
- Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of IT experience
- 2+ years supporting IBM z/OS mainframe environments
- Experience with IBM Job Control Language (JCL)
- Familiarity with ISPF, TSO, and z/OS operational utilities
- Basic understanding of storage management concepts, backup and recovery
- Knowledge of datasets, catalog management, and dataset utilities
- Familiarity with IBM SMS, HSM, ABARS, ISMF, or related storage management technologies
- Understanding of VSAM and other mainframe data access methods
- Basic knowledge of virtual tape technologies or tape management systems
- Experience with storage monitoring and reporting tools
- Experience using ServiceNow or similar incident/change management systems
- Working knowledge of Linux command line environments
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Preferred / Nice‑to‑Have Skills
- Experience supporting federal government or large enterprise environments
- Exposure to Dell EMC storage platforms (Data Domain, PowerMax, PowerScale, ECS)
- Familiarity with CA 1 Tape Management System (TMS), CA Vantage, Oracle VSM, VLE, ZFS
- Knowledge of IDCAMS and other z/OS dataset management utilities
- Basic understanding of FICON and TCP/IP in mainframe contexts
- Experience with disaster recovery, electronic vaulting, or business continuity processes
- Scripting, automation, or infrastructure-as-code experience
- Interest in developing deeper expertise in enterprise storage engineering and data protection
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range (U.S. estimate): $59,500 – $112,800 per year
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive insurance options
- 401(k) matching contributions and share purchase plan (where applicable)
- Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick) and paid parental leave
- Learning opportunities, tuition assistance, wellness programs
Location & Clearance
- This position is onsite at the Social Security Center (SSC) in Durham, NC and requires 5 days/week onsite presence.
- Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a US Public Trust clearance.
- New hires must comply with REAL ID Act standards and be able to obtain REAL ID‑compliant identification in a timely manner to receive site access.
- Employment will be with a Confidential Client (via Careertakes).
Additional Details
- Employment Type: Full‑time
- This role requires successful completion of a background investigation; components may vary depending on assignment and clearance requirements.
- Confidential Client provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply, follow the instructions provided by Careertakes during the application process.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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