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Cobol Developer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Applications Dev Sr Prin

Sterling, VA · On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

BAE Systems and our customer are looking for Senior level Cobol Developers. These developers would support a multi-year project in the Dulles, VA area with our customer. You do NOT need to currently ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note ... The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM ...

... COBOL with some JAVA/AWS components to enhance solutions. Responsibilities : • Uses expertise to ... or software design, engineering evaluation or test, configuration management procedures ...

Mainframe Developer

Chantilly, VA

$50.25 - $64.50/hr

Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software ... Hogan, COBOL, DB2, JCL, VSAM, Mainframe Utilities NOTE: ONLY US CITIZEN's OR GREEN CARD HOLDERS.

The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in COBOL development, systems integration ... Perform programming and coding changes for modernization, maintenance, and legislative updates.

Our client is seeking a Senior DataStage Engineer to design, develop, and maintain enterprise ETL ... Modernize legacy mainframe batch processes by translating existing COBOL/JCL logic into DataStage ...

Mainframe developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

The company is primarily focused on information technology, engineering, healthcare, financial ... Experience in Mainframe (COBOL/JCL/DB2/IMS/CICS) - must have. Must have - Mainframe and IMS Good in ...

Senior .NET Developer (Onsite)

Columbia, MD · On-site

$53.75 - $70.75/hr

NET Developer (Onsite) Location: Columbia, MD Job Type: Full-Time * We are seeking a highly ... COBOL-to-.NET transformation * AI-assisted code conversion * Functional equivalence validation

Senior Java Developer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

We are looking for a Senior Java Developer to manage the software development life cycle, from planning and prioritizing to testing and release and help with the migration of a COBOL app to Java.

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Cobol Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

$62

$82

How much do cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol developer in Washington, DC is $62.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.52 and $73.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Cobol developer?

A COBOL Developer is a software programmer who specializes in using the COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) programming language to design, develop, maintain, and troubleshoot business applications. COBOL is a legacy language primarily used in mainframe computing environments, common in industries like banking, insurance, and government. COBOL Developers often work on updating, maintaining, or migrating older systems that are critical to business operations. Their responsibilities may also include analyzing existing code, optimizing performance, and ensuring systems comply with current regulatory and security standards.

What does a Cobol developer do?

COBOL stands for Common Business-Oriented Language. It is a programming language used in business applications. A COBOL developer works on developing applications using this programming language that operate on an organization's mainframe computers. Businesses use COBOL for large tasks, such as transaction and batch processing. As a COBOL developer, your responsibilities include coding new programs using COBOL or assessing and upgrading existing programs and applications to meet business needs and objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cobol developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cobol Developer, you need strong programming skills in COBOL, a solid understanding of mainframe environments, and experience with legacy systems, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, DB2, and transaction processing systems is typically required, along with knowledge of version control systems. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help developers troubleshoot issues and collaborate with teams maintaining critical enterprise applications. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure the reliability and modernization of core business systems that depend on COBOL.

What are some of the common challenges Cobol developers face when working with legacy systems?

Cobol Developers often encounter challenges related to maintaining and upgrading legacy systems, such as limited documentation, outdated hardware, and code that was written decades ago by other programmers. Integrating Cobol-based applications with modern technologies and platforms can also require creative problem-solving and strong analytical skills. Collaboration with business analysts and IT teams is essential to accurately translate current business needs into the existing codebase while ensuring system stability and data integrity.

What is the difference between Cobol Developer vs Mainframe Developer?

AspectCobol DeveloperMainframe Developer
Required CredentialsProficiency in COBOL, JCL, DB2Proficiency in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and mainframe tools
Work EnvironmentLegacy systems, mainframe environmentsMainframe systems, enterprise IT infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial, insurance, government sectorsFinancial institutions, government agencies, large enterprises
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for mainframe roles involving COBOLBroader role including system administration and maintenance

While both roles involve working with mainframe systems and COBOL, a Cobol Developer primarily focuses on coding and maintaining COBOL applications. A Mainframe Developer may handle a wider range of tasks, including system setup, maintenance, and integration within mainframe environments. The roles often overlap, but Cobol Developers are more specialized in application development.

Is there a demand for Cobol developers?

Cobol developers are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries such as banking, finance, and government. Many organizations require expertise in Cobol for critical mainframe applications, and experienced developers with knowledge of mainframe environments and tools are sought after. However, the overall demand is stable but limited compared to newer programming languages.

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Cobol Developer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 6% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 72% In-person, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,296 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

Cobol Developer with Security Clearance

BAE Systems

Sterling, VA • On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 150 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Job Description BAE Systems and our customer are looking for Senior level Cobol Developers. These developers would support a multi-year project in the Dulles, VA area with our customer. You do NOT need to currently possess security clearance to apply for this role, but you must be able to obtain a high level security clearance in order to onboard with the company. Required Education, Experience, & Skills * 10+ years overall experience in an environment utilizing COBOL
* Recent expertise in COBOL development/programming (within last 5 years, preferably current) * SQL and PL/SQL experience. * Experience in program documentation/writing procedures * Willing to be submitted for top level security clearance * Willing to start work on-site in northern VA within 45 days of security clearance completion * Willing to work completely on-site (no remote work) * Looking to work at least 5 years after receiving clearance Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills * BS Degree is Preferred * Experience supporting HR/Payroll/Financial systems * Experience with Jira & Confluence * Agile/scrum experience * Good working in a team environment * Experience with Infor Lawson Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035 Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels. This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

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