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Cobol Mainframe Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Operator

Downey, CA ยท On-site

$50.75 - $65/hr

The Information Technology Mainframe Operator communicates with system programmers, who assist the ... IBM, Z/OS, CICS, NATURAL/SUPERNAT, IMS, DB2, ADABAS, ACF2, ENTIREX, SMP/E, ASSEMBLER/COBOL/REXX, CA ...

Mainframe Specialist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Mainframe Specialist

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Mainframe Specialist

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Mainframe Specialist

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Showing results 21-40

Cobol Mainframe Developer information

See California salary details

$51

$54

$56

How much do cobol mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol mainframe developer in California is $54.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.37 and $55.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a COBOL mainframe developer do?

As a COBOL mainframe developer, your primary responsibilities include designing new computer programs using the COBOL programming language. Your duties are to design, develop, and configure code for new programs, test these programs to make sure they function on the intended operating system, and implement adjustments needed. Once that process is complete, you launch the program for public or private use and provide support and upgrades to the user. You should have extensive knowledge and experience working with software development, and if you are working in IT for a company, you should be able to troubleshoot their current mainframe. Teaching others about what you have developed and making sure they understand how to use it are also your responsibility.

What does a COBOL mainframe developer do?

A COBOL Mainframe Developer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining applications that run on mainframe computers using the COBOL programming language. These developers often work with legacy systems in industries like banking, insurance, and government, ensuring that critical business processes continue to function smoothly. Their tasks may include writing new code, updating existing programs, debugging, and integrating mainframe applications with modern technologies. COBOL Mainframe Developers also collaborate with business analysts and other IT professionals to meet organizational needs and regulatory requirements.

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

To thrive as a COBOL Mainframe Developer, you need strong proficiency in COBOL programming, mainframe systems (such as IBM z/OS), and a background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like JCL, DB2, CICS, and source control systems, along with relevant certifications, is highly beneficial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for diagnosing issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure reliability, accuracy, and efficiency in maintaining and modernizing critical legacy systems.

What are some typical challenges faced by COBOL mainframe developers when maintaining legacy systems?

Cobol Mainframe Developers often encounter challenges with outdated documentation, making it difficult to understand and modify legacy code. Integrating new technologies or adapting legacy systems to modern infrastructure can also be complex, requiring careful planning and testing. Additionally, communicating with business users to gather requirements and ensure system changes meet current needs is essential, as is collaborating with other IT professionals to manage dependencies and minimize downtime. Staying proactive about learning modernization tools and approaches can help address these challenges.
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What job categories do people searching Cobol Mainframe Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Cobol Mainframe Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Cobol Mainframe Developer jobs in CA? For Cobol Mainframe Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Cobol Mainframe Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,494 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

$50.75 - $65/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Position: Mainframe Operator
Location: Downey, CA
Duration: 12 months
Description:
The Information Technology Mainframe Operator works under the direction of an Information Technology Systems Operations Supervisor who manages and oversees all aspects of work for the IBM mainframe systems. The Information Technology Mainframe Operator starts and stops system tasks, monitors the system consoles for unusual conditions, and works with the system programming and production control staff to ensure the health and normal operation of the systems. The Information Technology Mainframe Operator is also responsible for starting and stopping the major subsystems, such as transaction processing systems, database systems, and the operating system itself. These "restart operations" include performing an orderly shutdown and startup of the system and its workloads when it is required. The Information Technology Mainframe Operator communicates with system programmers, who assist the operator in determining the proper course of action, and with the production control analyst, who works with the operator to make sure that production workloads are completing properly.
Skills Required:
The Information Technology Mainframe Operator will possess knowledge in decision making; organizational awareness; problem solving; oral communication and writing skills. The following technology skill sets are required to perform in this classification: IBM, Z/OS, CICS, NATURAL/SUPERNAT, IMS, DB2, ADABAS, ACF2, ENTIREX, SMP/E, ASSEMBLER/COBOL/REXX, CA SPOOL, JCL, CONTROL-M, IMS & DB2 BMC Tools, IMS DB/DC, VTAM, TCPIP, NETVIEW, HMC/HOD/IODF, Tivoli, MVM, JES2, ESF, Linux, Unix, p-Series, z-Series, & VTS.
Must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a mainframe operator, with at least two (2) years of that experience in operating and administering IBM System p-Series/z-Series platform. In addition, one (1) year of experience of operating on automation of system monitoring and maintenance procedures and experience in ITM System Monitoring or similar role.
Bachelor's degree in an IT-related and/or equivalent in mainframe operations field.
Skills/Exp Preferred:
1. Unix scripting
2. PL/SQL
3. Bash scripting
4. Automation
5. Operation System: AIX
6. Cobol
Regards,
Sangeetha
West Advanced Technologies, Inc.
Serving government agencies for 22 Years
E: sangeetha.p@wati.com, D: 279 895 6797
www.wati.com