Mainframe Developer
First seen by Alion on Oct 16, 2026.
We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer to design, develop, maintain, and support enterprise applications running on IBM Mainframe platforms. The ideal candidate will have expertise in COBOL programming, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and z/OS environments. This role involves working closely with business analysts, architects, QA teams, and production support teams to deliver reliable, high-performance mainframe solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and maintain mainframe applications using COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2.
Analyze business requirements and prepare technical design specifications.
Develop and enhance batch and online transaction processing applications.
Write, modify, and optimize COBOL programs for performance and maintainability.
Develop and maintain JCL for batch processing, scheduling, and automation.
Create and optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, and database objects in DB2.
Develop and maintain CICS online applications and transaction programs.
Work with VSAM datasets, file processing, and data migration activities.
Perform unit testing, integration testing, and support user acceptance testing (UAT).
Troubleshoot production issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
Support application deployments, system upgrades, and release management activities.
Participate in code reviews and ensure adherence to development standards and best practices.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation, design documents, and operational procedures.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including infrastructure, database administrators, QA, and business users.
Support application modernization initiatives and integration with distributed systems.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
3–10+ years of experience in IBM Mainframe application development.
Strong programming experience with COBOL.
Hands-on experience with JCL, CICS, and DB2.
Experience working in IBM z/OS environments.
Knowledge of VSAM file structures and file handling.
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with IBM z/OS Connect and REST API integration.
Knowledge of Mainframe modernization initiatives.
Experience integrating mainframe applications with cloud or distributed systems.
Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.
Experience with DevOps practices for mainframe applications.
IBM Mainframe certifications are a plus.
Soft Skills
Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Production Support Responsibilities
Provide Level 2/Level 3 production support for mainframe applications.
Investigate and resolve application incidents and batch failures.
Monitor daily batch processing and online transactions.
Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent fixes.
Support disaster recovery and business continuity activities.
Coordinate application deployments and production releases.
Ensure compliance with enterprise security and operational standards.
Nice to Have
Experience with Financial Services, Banking, Insurance, Healthcare, or Retail domains.
Knowledge of Java or .NET integration with mainframe systems.
Experience with API enablement of legacy applications.
Familiarity with cloud integration and hybrid architecture.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines for mainframe applications.