Firmware Developer

Introduction

At IBM Infrastructure & Technology, we design and operate the systems that keep the world running. From high-resiliency mainframes and hybrid cloud platforms to networking, automation, and site reliability. Our teams ensure the performance, security, and scalability that clients and industries depend on every day. Working in Infrastructure & Technology means tackling complex challenges with curiosity and collaboration. You'll work with diverse technologies and colleagues worldwide to deliver resilient, future-ready solutions that power innovation. With continuous learning, career growth, and a supportive culture, IBM provides the opportunities to build expertise and shape the infrastructure that drives progress.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Firmware Developer, you will design, develop, test, and deliver offerings for IBM Z using the latest technologies. You will work in a team-based, collaborative environment with peers both locally and across the global organization, applying agile methodologies throughout the entire development cycle. Your primary responsibilities will include: * Develop Firmware Components: Create and use design documentation, such as Functional Programming Specifications and high-level design documents, to implement identified components. Ensure that the implemented components are unit tested and ready to be integrated into the product. * Collaborate with Designers: Work with designers to understand users and create a tangible experience through combined efforts. * Debug and Test Code: Debug reported problems, design, develop, and unit test code fixes to provide solutions for identified defects. * Deliver Solutions: Develop and support various projects, including hardware management console mobile apps, cryptographic processors, I/O adapters, and Secure Service Containers. * Apply Agile Methodologies: Follow agile methodologies throughout the development cycle, from design to real hardware integration testing.

Thezhmcclient organization develops and maintains several open‑source projects that provide tools for managingIBM Z and LinuxONE systems through theHardware Management Console (HMC) Web Services API (REST and JMS). The flagship project,python‑zhmcclient, offers a pure Python interface that encapsulates the HMC WS API, enabling lifecycle management of partitions, virtual switches, processors, memory configurations, and other platform resources.

The zHMC Client is widely adopted by enterprise customers-including major service providers-and is a critical management interface for upcomingIBM Z Next programs supporting bothClassical andDPM (Dynamic Partition Manager) operational modes. Additionally, its Ansible modules are hosted on theRed Hat Ansible Automation Hub and form an important automation component forIBM ZaaS datacenter operations.

There are several outstanding Web Services API implementations required for future IBM Z Next program compatibility. Ongoing enhancements are needed for functionality, test automation, security compliance, and infrastructure sustainment.

This position is for aDevelopment & Integration Test Engineer who will contribute to feature development, ensure functional reliability, enhance automation frameworks, and collaborate closely with the CFI (Complex Function Integration) team to validate cross‑component integration behaviour.

Required education
Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• 5-10 years of overall IT experiencein development, automation, or integration roles.
• 4+ years of Python development expertise, including REST API integration, data modeling, and automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding ofWeb Services APIs, JSON schemas, authentication models, and protocol-level debugging.
• Solid knowledge oftesting methodologies: unit, integration, functional, regression, negative testing, and mock-based validation.
• Hands-on experience withLinux environments, shell scripting, networking basics, and virtual machines.
• Proficiency inGit/GitHub or similar version control and code‑review processes.
• Experience withCI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar).
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in global, cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with open‑source contributors and internal IBM engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Development & Feature Enhancements

• Implement newHMC Web Services APIs (REST/JMS) in python‑zhmcclient to support evolving IBM Z platform management requirements.
• Enhance existing modules and participate in design discussions for API modeling, resource abstraction, and cross‑component interactions.
• Maintain and extend the associatedAnsible automation modules used by enterprise customers and internal IBM teams.

2. Test Automation & CI/CD

• Developunit, functional, and integration test suites for new and existing zhmcclient features.
• Strengthen CI quality gates through improved regression coverage and automated validation workflows.
• Work with the CFI team to test complex multi‑component scenarios involving platform resources, network virtualization, and system management operations.

3. Security & Reliability Compliance

• Implement and maintainSecurity Readiness Testing (SRT) andPSIRT compliance for zhmcclient and related projects.
• Support dependency upgrades, vulnerability scans, static analysis, and security best‑practice reviews.

4. Infrastructure & Ecosystem Maintenance

• Maintain development pipelines, automation scripts, and test infrastructure.
• Participate in release readiness activities, versioning, packaging, and community‑driven maintenance.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Understanding ofIBM Z architecture, DPM vs. Classical mode operations, and platform resource orchestration.
• Experience withHMC Web Services APIs and IBM Z management workflows.
• Working knowledge ofAnsible, including writing custom modules.
• Familiarity withLinux on Z, z/OS, z/VM, or virtualization concepts (nice to have).
• Exposure tosecure coding practices, CVE handling, and dependency hardening.
• Prior contributions toopen-source projects.
• Understanding of cloud, containers, and automation ecosystems.

Years of Experience:
6-10