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Cobol Developer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

TheStaffed

Sr DataStage Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

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 ...

Stem Xpert

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 ...

Serigor, Inc.

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

Maxiom Technology

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.

System One

Senior Mainframe Engineer

Merrifield, VA · Remote

The position focuses on troubleshooting and fixing programming defects, supporting nightly batch processing, and maintaining core banking systems built on COBOL mainframe technologies. The ideal ...

TekCommands Inc

Sr Mainframe Developer / Support

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Exposure to Job control language program execution Exposure to COBOL DB2 program coding, Application development using CICS Exposure to Processing VSAM datasets and Dataset allocation, ISPF/PDF

Pace solutions inc

Mainframe - HOGAN

Washington, DC · On-site

$55.50 - $71.25/hr

Mainframe - HOGAN Tech Lead Washington DC Good programming experience in COBOL, JCL, VSAM At least 3 years' experience on Hogan Core Banking Platform Design, code, new programs for online and batch ...

Pace solutions inc

Mainframe - HOGAN

Washington, DC · On-site

$55.50 - $71.25/hr

Company Description Mainframe - HOGAN Tech Lead Washington DC Good programming experience in COBOL, JCL, VSAM At least 3 years' experience on Hogan Core Banking Platform Design, code, new programs ...

Morgan Stanley

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Assembler, COBOL and REXX coding and knowledge of CICS Exits Web application support in a CICS TS ... Application programming experience a plus. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY: At Morgan ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCobol Developer JobsCobol Developer Jobs in Washington, DC

Cobol Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

$62

$82

How much do cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol developer in Washington, DC is $62.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.71 and $74.04 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.
More about Cobol Developer jobs

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The most popular types of Cobol Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:

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

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

Cobol Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cobol Developer job openings in Washington, DC as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,787 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Sr DataStage Engineer

TheStaffed

Mclean, VA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior DataStage Engineer to design, develop, and maintain enterprise ETL solutions while modernizing legacy mainframe batch processes.
Responsibilities & Qualifications
  • Design, develop, and maintain enterprise ETL solutions using IBM DataStage
  • Modernize legacy mainframe batch processes by translating existing COBOL/JCL logic into DataStage jobs
  • Develop and optimize PySpark-based data processing solutions for scalable data handling
  • Collaborate with business analysts, architects, and engineering teams to deliver integrated data solutions
  • Troubleshoot production issues and optimize ETL performance to ensure reliability and efficiency
  • Lead data migration initiatives leveraging Snowflake and AWS cloud platforms
  • Ensure high standards for data quality, reliability, and comprehensive operational support

Requirements
  • 6-10 years of professional experience in ETL development and data integration
  • Expert proficiency with IBM DataStage and PySpark
  • Strong knowledge of mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, and VSAM
  • Hands-on experience with Snowflake and AWS
  • Proven track record in data migration projects and modernization initiatives
  • Solid understanding of ETL design patterns, performance optimization, and data quality frameworks
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills with cross-functional teams

Apply