Senior Systems Analyst (IBM Power Systems)

Netcracker Shaping the Digital Future

As a proud subsidiary of NEC Corporation, Netcracker is a global software leader driving innovation at scale. We combine an open Agentic AI Platform with AI-Native IT Solutions to help telecommunication providers transform, innovate, and deliver results that matter. Powered by cutting-edge technology—and the passion of our people—we unlock new opportunities, spark innovation, and create better digital experiences for millions worldwide. Join us and be part of a team that is not just keeping up with the digital future—we’re leading it.

About the role

A Senior Systems Analyst is responsible for supporting the IBM Power Systems platforms within Netcracker's data centers. IBM Power Systems Platforms are made up of Development, Production, and Test Logical Partitions. The individual in this position will also assist in providing mentorship to our off-shore staff as needed. This position is part of our Global Managed Services (GMS) team that supports various Netcracker clients, located within North America and across the globe.

Role and Responsibilities

Interact with Global Managed Services (GMS) customers daily in support of the environments managed by GMS – hosted or remote by

Resolving environment-related problems reported by GMS customers through CSS as assigned

Completing service requests submitted by GMS customers, including managing customer user IDs, remote print writers and/or queues, and similar requests

Submitting service requests for data center services needed by GMS customers

Acting as a liaison between GMS customer and Netcracker IT Group to facilitate the completion of requests

Researching system and database journals to retrieve auditing information in support of internal and customer data investigations

Troubleshooting problems with TCP/IP-based interfaces using IBM and third-party network tracing tools

Configure and monitor systems to ensure

peak and problem-free operation

compliance with security standards

Configure and support

Software-based replication, particularly using Vision Solutions MIMIX HA1, as it relates to both HA and DR implementations.

System monitoring, particularly using Help Systems Halcyon, especially as it relates to interface/job monitoring

Tape management systems, particularly using IBM’s BRMS.

System compliance and audit functions, particularly using Enforcive Enterprise Security, especially as it relates to PCI compliance

Automation functions, particularly using Help Systems Robot SCHEDULE and REPLAY, or IBM’s Advanced Job Scheduler

Browser-based GUI interface, particularly using Rocket Software’s LegaSuite application over Netcracker’s ICOMS solution.

Digital certificates using IBM Digital Certificate Manager

End user access to system tools using IBM i Navigator

Maintain application environments by

Reviewing patches and release updates and constructing a plan to apply them to Netcracker and third party applications

Creating custom programming using CL, RPG, or other available languages in support of production processing

Performing regular maintenance tasks on time to ensure PCI compliance

Regularly review

Security bulletins issued by US-CERT, IBM, and other vendors, especially related to PCI compliance. Resolve any vulnerabilities on time

System performance statistics, forecasted growth data, and project system resource utilization, making recommendations for hardware and/or software upgrades to meet demand.

Disaster Recovery Plans and participate in annual Disaster Recovery Exercises, focusing on validating business continuity plans for GMS customers. Update the DR plans to reflect current configurations, environments, and processes.

Manage the underlying systems supporting the ICOMS solution by

Upgrading firmware, and HMC release levels in accordance with IBM compatibility matrices and recommendations

Allocating system resources for production and test partitions

Preparing system plans for partitions on Power Systems servers

Installing hardware components required by the solution

Reading the PAL and SAL in System Service Tools (SST) and Service logs in the HMC to assist hardware maintenance providers with troubleshooting, and resolving hardware problems.

Will be asked to perform similar duties for internal (development/test) systems as well.

May be asked to perform consulting services for customers outside of GMS

Required Experience

Minimum of 5 years experience (preferably more) administering IBM i running on Power Systems servers.

Must be familiar with all aspects of system administration, including upgrades from previous releases, backup and recovery, storage management, using journaling, understands the differences between various types of ASPs and their uses, and has strong HMC skills.

IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 7.x (highly preferred)

At least one major system hardware upgrade (for example POWER6 to POWER7)

At least two major operating system upgrades (for example, IBM i 5.4 or 6.1 to 7.1)

At least two full system restores (as if from a site-down crash)

Experience in managing partitioned systems

Strong experience in using database journaling, especially remote journaling

Strong experience with utilizing Performance tools such as IBM Job Watcher/Pex and MPG Performance Navigator

Understands the differences between independent ASPs, *SYSBAS, and traditional ASPs

Understands the functional differences between logical replication and clustering

Understands IBM i security administration, compliance, and access control

Extensive knowledge of the HMC

Some experience managing IBM i with SAN-attached storage

Keeps up with IBM hardware announcements, and has an awareness of IBM technical directions for their product lines

Keeps up with Technology Refreshes, and has an awareness of new features and functions

Is very familiar with the IBM Memo to Users for V7R1 as of April 2012, and any subsequent Technical Releases (TRs)

Excellent communication skills

Ability to train operations monitoring staff on how to respond to alerts, ensure “switch readiness” on HA/DR systems, and perform less complex maintenance window activities

Must be able to provide 24x7 on-call support coverage - on a rotational basis with other team members. (on occasion)

Other Highly Desired Skills

Experience installing software upgrades and updates to third party and in-house developed applications

Very familiar with the use of MIMIX software for logical replication of database information to redundant systems for high availability and disaster recovery deployments

Very familiar with the configuration and management of ODBC / JDBC / TCP socket communications on IBM i systems communicating with other applications running on Unix / Linux & or Windows systems

Very familiar with current PCI-DSS standards and how to ensure PCI compliance on IBM i operating system and database containing PCI sensitive data

Experience managing medium projects, lasting a few weeks, involving two or more teams.

Fluent English Speaker and availability to work from office on Hybrid mode

Must be able to work on Shifts mode

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field

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