Mainframe Developer

We are seeking a high-performing Senior Mainframe Developer with 6+ years of hands-on experience designing, developing, maintaining, and modernizing mission-critical legacy applications. In this role, you will be responsible for end-to-end software development life cycle (SDLC) activities across core mainframe technologies, including COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, and VSAM. You will lead batch and online application development, optimize database performance, troubleshoot complex production issues, and support mainframe modernization and API integration initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Application Development & Enhancement

• Design, code, test, and implement robust batch and online (CICS) mainframe applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, and VSAM.
  

• Analyze complex business requirements, evaluate legacy codebases, and create technical specification documents and system design flows.
  

• Develop complex JCL procedures, control cards, utilities (SORT, IDCAMS, IEBGENER), and job schedules to process high-volume batch workloads efficiently.
  

Database & Performance Tuning

• Write, optimize, and debug embedded SQL statements within COBOL programs interacting with DB2 databases.
  

• Perform query tuning, index optimization, and memory management to improve batch runtimes and CPU resource consumption.
  

• Maintain DB2 tables, views, aliases, and stored procedures in alignment with database administration standards.
  

Mainframe Modernization & Integration

• Assist in modernizing mainframe applications by creating web service interfaces (REST/SOAP) via z/OS Connect to connect legacy logic with cloud and modern channels.
  

• Support DevOps practices on mainframe platforms, utilizing modern source code management and automated build pipelines where applicable.
  

Production Support, Testing & Maintenance

• Conduct unit testing, system integration testing (SIT), and support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) using tools like Xpediter or IBM Debugger.
  

• Provide Tier 3 production support, conduct root-cause analysis (RCA) for batch failures, and resolve abends promptly during critical window processing.
  

• Utilize SCM tools (Endevor, ChangeMan) for code versioning, branching, and deployment across environments.
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications & Technical Skills

• Experience: Minimum 6+ years of core software development experience on IBM Mainframe z/OS platforms.
  

• Core Mainframe Technologies:
  

  • Languages: COBOL, JCL, embedded SQL.
    

  • Databases & Storage: DB2 (tables, indexes, stored procedures) and VSAM (KSDS, ESDS, RRDS).
    

  • Online Environment: CICS (Command-level programming, screen design, BMS maps, pseudo-conversational transactions).
    

  • Operating System / Interface: IBM z/OS, TSO/ISPF.
    

• Mainframe Utilities & Tools:
  

  • Debugging: Xpediter, IBM Fault Analyzer, or CA-InterTest.
    

  • File Management: File-AID, File Manager, or SPUFI / QMF.
    

  • Source Code Management: Endevor, ChangeMan, or ISPW.
    

  • Schedulers: CA-7, Control-M, or ESP.
    

• Problem-Solving & Data Analysis: Deep understanding of mainframe data structures, flat files, copybooks, and high-volume batch data processing.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Mainframe Modernization techniques, such as z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition, z/OS REST APIs, or Kafka integration.
  

• Exposure to Mainframe DevOps tooling (e.g., BMC AMI DevX / Topaz, Git for Mainframe, Jenkins).
  

• Hands-on experience with Assembler language, REXX scripting, or Java on z/OS.
  

• Domain knowledge in Banking, Financial Services, Insurance (BFSI), Healthcare, or Retail transaction processing systems.