Early Career Program - Mainframe Systems Administration

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses.  We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

Turn what you have learned at university into practical understanding in the real IT world. The Kyndryl Early Career Program in Systems Administration is a structured, experiential learning track designed for ambitious students and recent graduates eager to explore the backbone of enterprise computing. You will gain behind-the-scenes insight into the mission-critical environments, hybrid cloud foundations, and enterprise systems that leading global businesses rely on every single day.

Through guided mentoring, technical enablement, and exposure to live enterprise operations, you will explore how large organizations process millions of transactions securely, reliably, and efficiently. This program is your launchpad to bridge academic theory with enterprise reality, helping you build practical capabilities, establish valuable professional networks, and discover whether systems administration and infrastructure operations are your future specialization.

• →Explore the core architecture, operating systems, and computing models that power enterprise IT environments and hybrid operations.
• →Learn how enterprise systems and mainframe platforms are configured, maintained, patched, and kept secure.
• →Gain hands-on exposure to how system performance, high availability, workloads, and resource utilization are monitored and optimized.
• →Understand the fundamentals of user access management, compliance controls, and infrastructure security best practices.
• →Study enterprise storage management, backup protocols, disaster recovery, and business continuity concepts.
• →Discover modern operations and automation workflows that streamline system administration across mission-critical platforms.
• →Shadow experienced IT professionals and systems administrators supporting key industries such as banking, healthcare, and government.
• →Participate in structured learning modules and professional development sessions to build technical depth and career readiness.

Becoming an Early Career Systems Administrator at Kyndryl is an excellent gateway to many different paths. You’ll be creating a well-rounded skillset while gaining professional certifications and qualifications. You can evolve horizontally into other technical or non-technical areas, or move vertically into senior leadership or specialized domain roles. There are many different types and flavours of roles at Kyndryl, so everyone can find the opportunity that suits them best.

You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important – you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused – someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless – naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

• Current university student or recent graduate in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software/Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated passion for and curiosity about IT infrastructure, enterprise operating systems, and technology operations.
• Foundational understanding of computer systems concepts, networking basics, or operating system fundamentals.
• Strong desire to learn complex, large-scale enterprise technologies such as mainframes, server infrastructure, and cloud computing.
• Effective collaborative abilities with an eagerness to contribute inside a global, multicultural team environment.
• Minimum intermediate-level English proficiency (both written and verbal communication).

• Exposure to foundational concepts or coursework in Unix/Linux, Windows Server, or z/OS environments.
• Basic familiarity with scripting or automation tools (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell, or JCL).
• Introductory awareness of public cloud ecosystems such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Prior academic project, internship, or lab experience focused on systems support, hardware/software troubleshooting, or network administration.

The “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose.  We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next.

Get Referred!

If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.