1

Cobol Mainframe Programmer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... engineering and systems integration. Our tightly integrated offerings are tailored to each clients ... COBOL and SQL Additional Information If you are interested to know more about this exiting ...

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

The Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer/Engineer is responsible for all phases of CICS engineering ... Assembler, COBOL and REXX coding and knowledge of CICS Exits Web application support in a CICS TS ...

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 ...

C. is seeking a Software Developer II to play a key role in the development and maintenance of ... mainframe environment utilizing COBOL/JCL/PROCS, TSO, ISPF, and SDSF required • Experience ...

Senior Software Engineer

Lynchburg, VA · Hybrid

$119K - $157K/yr

What you bring 4-year college degree and relevant equivalent experience with strong mainframe (COBOL, JCL,CICS, IMS) programming skills and production support experience preferably in insurance ...

Senior Software Engineer

Richmond, VA · Hybrid

$121K - $159K/yr

What you bring 4-year college degree and relevant equivalent experience with strong mainframe (COBOL, JCL,CICS, IMS) programming skills and production support experience preferably in insurance ...

Showing results 21-40

Cobol Mainframe Programmer information

See Virginia salary details

$38

$53

$66

How much do cobol mainframe programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cobol mainframe programmer in Virginia is $53.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.73 and $62.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Cobol mainframe programmer?

A COBOL Mainframe Programmer is a software developer who specializes in writing, maintaining, and troubleshooting programs written in COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) for mainframe computers. These professionals are vital in industries like banking, insurance, and government, where legacy systems built on mainframes are still widely used. They work with batch and online processing, databases, and older operating systems, ensuring critical business applications run smoothly and are updated as needed. Their work often involves understanding complex, decades-old code and integrating it with modern technologies.

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

To thrive as a Cobol Mainframe Programmer, you need strong programming skills in COBOL, knowledge of mainframe operating systems (like z/OS), and experience with batch and online processing. Familiarity with tools such as JCL (Job Control Language), DB2, CICS, and version control systems is typically required, along with relevant certifications in mainframe technologies. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for troubleshooting complex legacy systems and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies are vital for maintaining, enhancing, and supporting critical business applications that often form the backbone of large organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by Cobol mainframe programmers in modern IT environments?

Cobol Mainframe Programmers often encounter challenges such as integrating legacy systems with new technologies, maintaining and updating decades-old code, and managing documentation gaps. They may also work with limited resources, as fewer new programmers are trained in Cobol, leading to increased responsibility for existing staff. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as business analysts and application developers—is critical, especially during system migrations or modernization projects.

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Mainframe Programmer jobs in Virginia?

For Cobol Mainframe Programmer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cobol Mainframe Programmer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Mainframe Programmer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Cobol Mainframe Programmer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,592 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Mainframe Architect (AWS Migration Specialist)

Cliff Services

Richmond, VA • On-site

$70 - $80/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Job Title:
Mainframe Architect (AWS Migration Specialist)

Location:
Location: Onsite — Preferred: Richmond, VA | McLean, VA | Dallas, TX | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA
Interview Process: In-Person

Employment Type:
W2 / C2C | Long-Term Contract

Rate:
$75/hr

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the architecture and migration of legacy mainframe systems to AWS cloud environments.
  • Assess current infrastructure, define migration strategies, and develop executable roadmaps for modernization.
  • Design and implement robust cloud-native architectures that align with enterprise standards.
  • Develop actionable plans for refactoring, re-platforming, or rehosting mainframe applications.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (cloud architects, app developers, business analysts, DevOps) to execute migration strategies.
  • Provide technical leadership, documentation, and mentorship to teams executing the migration.
  • Ensure security, compliance, performance, and cost optimization in cloud architectures.
  • Develop proof of concepts (POCs), design patterns, and architecture frameworks to support cloud adoption.
Required Skills:
  • 10+ years' experience in legacy Mainframe systems (COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS).
  • Proven experience migrating mainframe workloads to AWS.
  • Hands-on experience with AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS/Aurora, Lambda, CloudFormation, API Gateway.
  • Strong understanding of cloud migration frameworks and tools (e.g. Blu Age, Micro Focus, AWS Migration Hub, CloudEndure).
  • Expertise in data migration strategies, including re-platforming databases (DB2 to AWS RDS / Aurora).
  • Familiarity with rearchitecting legacy batch and real-time processes into cloud-native services.
  • Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills.
Preferred Skills:
  • AWS Architect Certification (Professional / Specialty).
  • Experience in financial services or large enterprise environments.
  • Experience with mainframe modernization tools (e.g., Micro Focus, IBM Z modernization services).
  • Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and security frameworks for cloud migrations.
Additional Considerations:
  • Candidate must be willing to relocate and work onsite in one of the preferred locations.
  • Work authorization must be pre-approved (no OPT/CPT).

Interested can share their CV to mubalraj@cliff-services.com