Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association
Infrastructure Senior Engineer (Information Technology)
Job Summary
Looking for a career where you can give back to those who have supported you? Have a favorite teacher or snowplow driver who helped you through a storm or maybe a State Trooper that let you off with a warning? If so, there is a good chance they are a PERA member. Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits for Colorado State Employees, like many teachers, snowplow drivers and State Troopers. Come join the team and give back to those who have helped you.
Colorado PERA's Information Technology team is expanding, and we're looking for talented individuals to join us! We have an immediate opening for an IBM i Senior Engineer who can support multiple IBM Power Servers, IBM i and VIOS LPARs, physical HMCs, and backup and recovery using BRMS, Full-System FlashCopy, SANs, and encryption. You will be the go-to-person for all things IBM i for our information technology and application development teams.
Essential Functions
Lead the delivery, stability, and continuous improvement of PERA's Pension Administration infrastructure services on IBM Power, ensuring alignment with business and IT objectives
Responsible for all aspects of IBM i operations including problem solving, management, support, automation, and underlying IBM i infrastructure
Organize, manage, and implement IBM infrastructure initiatives from planning through delivery, ensuring quality, timeliness, communication, and alignment with organizational goals, always keeping security primary
Develop a strong partnership with application development and DevOps teams
Key Responsibilities
Advanced knowledge and support of IBM i infrastructure environments (e.g. IBM i and VIOS operating systems, IBM Power Servers, IBM FlashSystem SANs, security, network, end user, and server/web related applications) considering security implications in all initiatives
Management and implementation of IBM hardware and software upgrades including operating systems, Power Servers, FlashSystem SANs, HMCs, and 3rd party applications
Ensure, improve, and test backup and recovery of all LPARs between our production systems and secondary warm site data center systems
Plan, organize, and implement multiple IBM i initiatives with minimal supervision
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, pension and retirement plans including PERA's defined benefit plan, generous paid time off and volunteer hours, 401(k) employer match, 457 defined contribution plan, free on-site parking, free on-site fitness center, training, leadership, and mentoring programs, and more
Opportunities for career growth and professional development
A collaborative and inclusive team culture
Flexible work environment with remote options
This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery, stability, recoverability, and performance of PERA's Pension Administration System (PAS) running on the IBM Power Server platform. The role leads technical initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders, systems engineers, technical leaders, and vendor partners to deliver resilient, innovative technology solutions while protecting the integrity of pension services, data, and infrastructure. Responsibilities include management of multiple IBM i and dual VIOS LPARs, physical HMC management, redundant network and SAN fabric communications, Full System FlashCopy for tape and SAN-to-SAN backups, SAN integrations, encryption using IBM GKLM, automation improvements, and disaster recovery testing and support.
Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
Lead the delivery, stability, and continuous improvement of PERA's Pension Administration infrastructure services, ensuring alignment with business and IT objectives
Responsible for all aspects of IBM i operations including problem solving, management, support, and automation
Organize, manage, and implement IBM infrastructure initiatives from planning through delivery, ensuring quality, timeliness, communication, and alignment with organizational goals always keeping security primary
Maintain and upgrade operating system software, system and peripheral hardware, and packaged applications
Manage and support core IBM Power Server technologies, including server, LPARs, storage, and networking; backups and disaster recovery, third party applications, automation, and support application developer IDEs and change management
Maintain and improve system security policies, resource security, and PTF vulnerability management focusing on existing and new automation of recuring processes and procedures
Ensure and test backup and recovery of all LPARs using Full System FlashCopy, BRMS, SAN replication, integration with GKLM encryption for tape backups and data at rest between our production systems and secondary warm site data center systems
Monitor performance, implement and track availability KPIs, fully utilize technology features and functions for improved availability, and implement solutions to measurably increase reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
Perform, mentor, and automate user account administration helping build team support depth
Develop a strong partnership with application development and DevOps teams supporting a highly visible and critical multi-year Pension Administration modernization initiative
Perform system utilization and capacity planning analysis to optimize resource utilization and ensure optimal infrastructure for future needs
Perform other duties as assigned
Degree in technical (STEM) field and four years' experience in technical role preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Advanced knowledge of IBM i infrastructure environments (e.g. operating systems, hardware, data center, security, network, end user and server/web related applications) considering security implications in all initiatives
Strong experience with Storage Area Networks, fiber channel connectivity, SAN fabric switches, and encryption
Experience and exposure to DevOps infrastructure needs, automation, and monitoring
Excellent analytical, interpersonal, oral, and writing skills
Demonstrated ability working on multiple concurrent projects with close interaction with other team members
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and implement multiple IBM i initiatives with minimal supervision
Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine.
Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds
All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
Ability to operate standard PC equipment
Ability to handle stress associated with frequent deadline and tight schedules
Opportunity to work from home up to three days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.
Interested Candidates:
Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these as part of your application:
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned with or without notice.
Unfortunately, at this time, PERA cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.
All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA's Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA's talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA's Investment Administration team.
About Colorado PERA
Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado's largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 700,000 members who are former and current public employees.
At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees' growth through training and leadership opportunities.
To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA's defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.
To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit www.copera.org/careers.
Position Title: Infrastructure Senior Engineer
Division: Information Technology
Reports to: Infrastructure Manager
Job Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $125,000.00 to $145,000.00 Annual, Commensurate with experience
Posting Dates: 09/12/2025 to 09/28/2025