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Cobol Engineer Jobs in Washington (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 ...

New

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

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

$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 ...

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 ...

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.

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Cobol Engineer information

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How much do cobol engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol engineer in Washington is $64.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.47 and $98.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are Cobol Engineer jobs still in demand?

Cobol Engineer jobs remain in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems still rely on COBOL programming. Many organizations seek experienced professionals to maintain, update, or modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and specific tools. The demand is steady but limited compared to newer technology roles, and ongoing experience with mainframe systems enhances job prospects.

What is a Cobol engineer?

A Cobol Engineer is a software developer who specializes in working with COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), a programming language widely used in legacy financial, banking, and government systems. They are responsible for maintaining, enhancing, debugging, and modernizing COBOL applications to ensure they remain functional and efficient. Cobol Engineers often work with mainframe systems, databases, and batch processing jobs. Their role may also involve migrating legacy code to newer technologies or integrating COBOL applications with modern software solutions.

How much do Cobol engineers make?

Cobol engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in mainframe environments and legacy system maintenance may command higher salaries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cobol engineer?

To thrive as a Cobol Engineer, you need strong proficiency in COBOL programming, understanding of mainframe systems, and a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL (Job Control Language), and experience with databases such as DB2 are commonly required, and certifications in mainframe technologies can be advantageous. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for maintaining, updating, and troubleshooting legacy applications critical to many large organizations’ operations.

What does a Cobol engineer do?

As a Cobol Engineer, your typical day involves writing, updating, and debugging COBOL code to maintain or enhance legacy mainframe applications. You may collaborate closely with business analysts and QA teams to gather requirements, test new features, or resolve production issues. Regular responsibilities also include reviewing code for compliance with company standards, documenting changes, and participating in code reviews. This role frequently requires quickly troubleshooting issues under tight deadlines, so adaptability and problem-solving are vital.

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Engineer jobs in Washington?

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

What job categories do people searching Cobol Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Engineer jobs in WA?

For Cobol Engineer jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Cobol Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,354 per year, or $64.6 per hour.

Cobol Developer with Security Clearance

BAE Systems

Sterling, VA • On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

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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