ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Cobol Programmer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

SmartIT Frame

Java Architect with AI

Irvine, CA · On-site

$67.50 - $91.25/hr

Java Architect Location : Irvine, CA Hybrid Type -Contract Summary: Lead the technical ... COBOL logic and Sybase relational databases/stored procedures. * AI & Engineering Methodology:

All JobsContract Cobol Programmer JobsContract Cobol Programmer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Contract Cobol Programmer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$42

$60

$99

How much do contract cobol programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract cobol programmer in Riverside, CA is $60.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.14 and $70.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical projects and daily tasks for a Contract Cobol Programmer?

As a Contract Cobol Programmer, you’ll frequently work on projects involving the maintenance, enhancement, and migration of legacy mainframe applications. Daily tasks often include writing and optimizing Cobol code, troubleshooting system issues, conducting code reviews, and collaborating with business analysts or other IT professionals to gather requirements. You may also participate in testing, documentation, and providing support for production systems. The role often involves independently managing project tasks while adhering to set deadlines and quality standards, making adaptability and strong organizational skills essential.

How much do COBOL programmers get paid?

COBOL programmers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually. Senior or specialized COBOL developers with certifications and extensive experience can earn higher salaries, especially in financial or government sectors where legacy systems are prevalent.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Contract Cobol Programmer position, and why are they important?

A Contract Cobol Programmer typically needs strong expertise in Cobol programming, systems analysis, and mainframe operations, often supported by a degree in computer science or relevant experience. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL (Job Control Language), VSAM, and experience with legacy database systems are highly valued, along with optional certification in mainframe technologies. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and clear communication enable effective collaboration with IT teams and business stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for efficiently maintaining, troubleshooting, and modernizing critical legacy systems that many organizations still rely on.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government that rely on legacy mainframe systems. Many organizations seek experienced programmers to maintain and update these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and tools like JCL and DB2. While new development in COBOL is limited, maintenance roles remain essential for critical legacy applications.

What is a Contract Cobol Programmer job?

A Contract Cobol Programmer is a temporary or freelance professional who develops, maintains, and updates applications written in COBOL, a legacy programming language commonly used in banking, insurance, and government systems. They typically work on short-term projects to modernize or troubleshoot existing COBOL systems. These programmers may be hired for system migrations, bug fixes, or performance optimizations. Contracts can vary in length and may be remote or onsite, depending on the employer's needs.

Will AI replace COBOL programmers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace COBOL programmers in the near term because many legacy systems still rely on COBOL, and maintaining or updating these systems requires specialized knowledge. While automation tools can assist with routine tasks, skilled programmers are needed for complex problem-solving, system integration, and ensuring reliability in critical financial and government applications.

Do COBOL programmers work remotely?

Many COBOL programmers work remotely, especially those involved in legacy system maintenance and mainframe environments. Remote work opportunities depend on the employer, project requirements, and the need for secure access to mainframe systems, often requiring specialized skills and secure connections.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Cobol Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Cobol Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Cobol Programmer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Cobol Programmer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Cobol Programmer job openings:
Contract Cobol Programmer jobs near you

Java Architect with AI

SmartIT Frame

Irvine, CA • On-site

$67.50 - $91.25/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

 
Role : Java Architect
Location : Irvine, CA Hybrid
Type -Contract 
Summary: 
Lead the technical modernization of a core Investment Accounting Platform from legacy COBOL/Sybase to a cutting-edge Java/Photon architecture. This role is highly execution-oriented, anchoring multiple distributed agile PODs. You will define the migration strategy, establish the automation frameworks for an as-is code translation, and orchestrate advanced Agentic AI engineering tools (such as Devin and Blitzy) to accelerate the delivery lifecycle while ensuring strict functional parity.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Experience: 15+ years of IT experience, with a proven track record of leading technical architecture for large-scale legacy core platform transformations (COBOL to Java migrations preferred).
  • Domain Expertise: Strong foundational knowledge in Capital Markets or Financial Services (Direct Investment Accounting platform experience is highly advantageous).
  • Technical Depth: * Deep expertise in Java Full-Stack architecture, microservices design, and building high-throughput transactional APIs.
    • Strong capability to read, interpret, and deconstruct COBOL logic and Sybase relational databases/stored procedures.
  • AI & Engineering Methodology: * Hands-on familiarity or strong conceptual mastery of integrating autonomous AI coding agents (Devin, Blitzy) or advanced AI developer environments into the enterprise SDLC.
    • Familiarity with Specification-Driven Development methodologies to align legacy specs with AI outputs.
  • Team Dynamics: Proven experience steering large-scale projects using a heavily leveraged global delivery model.
Key Responsibilities
  • Migration Strategy & Governance: Define the blueprints, data mapping, and pattern-matching strategies to migrate millions of lines of COBOL and Sybase stored procedures to Java microservices with zero business logic deviation.
  • AI-Assisted SDLC Orchestration: Establish and optimize the development pipeline to leverage autonomous AI software engineering agents (Devin, Blitzy) for automated code generation, refactoring, and unit testing.
  • Target Architecture Design: Design a high-performance, scalable target Java architecture leveraging modern API/Microservices and Photon patterns tailored for high-volume financial transactions.
  • Functional Parity Verification: Define automated testing and dual-run validation frameworks to cross-check legacy system outputs against the new Java platform, guaranteeing 100% data and logic alignment.
  • Technical Leadership & Pod Governance: Serve as the onsite technical anchor for 5 global delivery PODs (80:20 offshore/onsite model), conducting architecture reviews and unblocking technical dependencies between legacy logic and modern code.
 

Apply