System Administrator IBM iSeries

Job Summary

Responsible for maintaining the stability, performance, availability, and security of the IBM i (AS/400) environment, including DB2 for i databases. The role supports infrastructure, and development teams and ensures alignment with business continuity and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

🖥️ System Administration

1. Monitor daily operations: CPU, memory, disk usage, and job performance.
2. Manage TCP/IP, job queues, license management, HMC, and system values.
3. Install and apply PTFs, software upgrades, and system updates.
4. Administer BRMS for backup and recovery operations.
5. Maintain and test high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) configurations, including PowerHA, FlashCopy, and Global Mirror.
6. Support remote management and system monitoring tools.
7. Collaborate with application and infrastructure teams for system-related issues.

🗄️ Database Administration (Db2 for i)

1. Design and maintain database structures (tables, views, indexes, constraints).
2. Perform schema changes with minimal downtime.
3. Enforce referential integrity and business rules with constraints, triggers, and SQL procedures.
4. Tune SQL performance using Visual Explain, Index Advisor, SQL Plan Cache, and buffer pool analysis.
5. Resolve query performance issues, record locks, and database I/O inefficiencies.
6. Maintain journaling and commitment control configurations.

⚙️ Performance & Diagnostics

1. Use IBM iDoctor (Job Watcher, Disk Watcher, Collection Services) for deep system analysis.
2. Perform root cause analysis and provide detailed incident documentation.
3. Track trends and plan for capacity using historical performance metrics.

📋 Documentation & Planning

1. Maintain system configuration records, job schedules, and backup procedures.
2. Document environment-specific best practices, standards, and data dictionaries.
3. Assist in project planning and system design.

🔐 Security & Compliance

1. Implement user profile controls, authority lists, and object-level security.
2. Assist with audit preparation and compliance activities (e.g., SOX, PCI).
3. Manage access controls using tools like QAUDJRN, Enforcive (BSafe), etc.

🧠 Knowledge, Skills & Tools

1. IBM i Core Competencies: Installation, upgrades, patching, backup, and recovery.
2. DB2 for i: SQL development, schema management, and optimization.
3. Performance Tools: IBM iDoctor, SQL Plan Cache, Index Advisor, Visual Explain.
4. Security Tools: QAUDJRN, Enforcive, authorization lists.
5. HA/DR Tools: BRMS, PowerHA, FlashCopy, Global Mirror, MAXAVA.
6. Scripting & SQL: CL, SQL/400, Run SQL Scripts (IBM i ACS).

📚 Qualifications

1. BA/BS in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent.
2. 5+ years of experience with IBM i systems and DB2 for i administration.
3. Strong knowledge of IBM Power Systems, virtualization, and storage.
4. Experience with 3rd-party tools such as MAXAVA, Enforcive (BSafe).

🧭 Work Environment

1. Typical office or home office setup; remote work possible.
2. General office equipment and computing tools required.
3. Availability for after-hours support, on-call, weekends, and holidays (rarely).
4. Minimal travel may be required.