Hardware Developer

Introduction

IBM System Z (IBM Z) mainframes are designed to deliver the highest levels of reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS). Hardware validation ensures that every subsystem of the platform meets IBM’s stringent quality standards before it is delivered to customers.

We are looking for a Hardware Engineer to join our EST squad, where you will execute and automate test scenarios. This position offers a broad range of technical exposure, spanning hardware handling and running programs across a variety of operating systems. You will also perform substantial troubleshooting, investigation, and problem resolution. The role includes multiple sub-areas, such as machine configuration, operation, maintenance, error handling and investigation, troubleshooting bugs, defect reporting, operating system knowledge, and workload execution. Additionally, there is a strong focus on shifting from traditional test methods to a more automated approach, requiring a significant amount of programming and scripting. The ideal candidate will be motivated to uncover machine bugs and partner with the development team until the issue is fully resolved. Being a team player is essential. To succeed, the candidate must be willing to continuously pursue education to grow their skills. This, combined with a strong desire to replace traditional manually initiated workload/testing with automated execution techniques, is a major advantage.

Your Role And Responsibilities

This position plays a key part in validating enterprise-class workloads on System Z platforms that support mission-critical business operations worldwide. Responsibilities include testing and certification of complex System Z configurations, with emphasis on:

• Design, develop, and execute IBM Z channel subsystem test plans for enterprise hardware platforms.
• Identify existing manual test scenarios and workloads, then design programmatic automation to replace them.
• Validate channel path configuration, I/O routing, adapter connectivity, and subsystem functionality.
• Perform high-availability and redundancy validation, including path failover and recovery testing.
• Investigate and debug I/O recovery failures through log analysis, diagnostics, and root-cause determination.
• Support test strategy, test planning, and customer-focused validation to ensure robust and reliable I/O recovery capabilities.
• Collaborate with firmware development to understand technical details of new firmware features, enabling the design of appropriate test scenarios and workloads to validate them.
• Expand knowledge of physical server design and the logical constructs that enable its operation.
• Execute hardware handling, maintenance, changes, and manipulation.
• Work with multiple Z mainframe operating systems to execute workloads used to verify the latest hardware and firmware deliveries.
• Provide a large amount of troubleshooting, investigation, and problem resolution.
  
  

Preferred Education

Master's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

Required Technical and Professional Expertise with relevant experience of 8 to 10 years

• Hardware system testing and validation.
• I/O subsystem, networking, and storage technologies.
• Error injection and fault tolerance testing.
• Performance and stress testing methodologies.
• Test automation using Python, Shell scripting, or similar technologies.
• Debugging, log analysis, and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of IBM Z, Linux, virtualization, or enterprise server environments is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture (CPU, memory hierarchy, buses, I/O subsystems).
• Familiarity with PCIe, USB, Ethernet, SAS/SATA, NVMe, DDR, or similar protocols.
• Good knowledge of firmware/BIOS, drivers, and low-level debugging.
• Gather and analyze hardware requirements to create detailed test plans, test matrices, and test strategies.
• Identify coverage gaps and ensure test completeness across hardware components.
• Proficiency in scripting (Python/Shell/Bash) for automation, tooling, and operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated experience in automation of deployments, monitoring, and operational workflows using scripting or orchestration tools.
• Strong team player with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a global team environment.
  
  

Optional (Nice to Have)

Experience with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Jenkins).

Exposure to cloud-native architectures and container security best practices

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

2+ of experience working with Z mainframe systems in some capacity Experience with one or more mainframe operating systems. Experience with practical applications of the mainframe Experience writing and executing test plans with the ability to ensure proper coverage based on customer requirements and workloads, and perform regression testing Hardware troubleshooting skills Knowledge of Agile practices Ability to handle testing and debugging tasks independently.