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Contract Mainframe Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Tandem Developer

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.25/hr

Contract Technical Skills: * Strong experience with Tandem HP NonStop systems and tools ... CICS,JCL,Mainframe Enterprise Cobol,Mainframe DB2,Z/OS,CICS Admin,Mainframe - COBOL/JCL/CICS ...

Senior Mainframe DevOps Architect

Lisle, IL

$127K - $173K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a Senior Mainframe DevOps Architect to lead solution design and own ... contracts focal. * Value Positioning & Differentiators: Effectively present high-level solution ...

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

... Contract to Hire No of openings/positions 1 Job Title/Role Senior Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM Unix Shell scripting is preferred Client Interview Needed for ...

Employee Ensono is a leading, large-scale provider of mainframe and infrastructure services serving ... Drive contract negotiations for new business in partnership with Legal * Work closely with Sales ...

Infrastructure Architect

Chicago, IL

$68 - $87/hr

Contract to Hire Duration: 6 months + Rate: DOE Desired Skills: Bachelors degree or higher in ... understanding of Mainframe, AS400, & Tandem Hands-on technical practitioner and individual ...

Infrastructure Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$68 - $87/hr

Contract to Hire Duration: 6 months + Rate: DOE Desired Skills: Bachelors degree or higher in ... Mainframe, AS400, & Tandem • Hands-on technical practitioner and individual contributor • ...

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Contract Mainframe information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$54

$74

How much do contract mainframe jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract mainframe in Chicago, IL is $54.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.56 and $62.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract mainframe?

A Contract Mainframe job involves working on mainframe computer systems under a temporary or project-based contract. Professionals in this role typically handle tasks such as system maintenance, COBOL programming, database management, and performance optimization. These roles are common in industries like banking, healthcare, and government, where legacy mainframe systems are critical. Contractors may work remotely or on-site, depending on the employer's needs.

What do contract mainframe professionals do?

Contract Mainframe professionals are often brought in to support or upgrade legacy mainframe systems, handle batch processing jobs, develop and maintain COBOL programs, or assist with system integration initiatives. These roles typically involve troubleshooting critical issues, optimizing system performance, and working closely with other IT and business teams to ensure that mainframe operations align with organizational goals. Contractors may also be involved in mainframe migrations to modern platforms or data center consolidations. The work environment is often fast-paced and project-driven, requiring adaptability to rapidly changing requirements and timelines.

What skills and qualifications are needed for a contract mainframe?

To thrive as a Contract Mainframe professional, you need strong experience in mainframe technologies such as COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2, supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, TSO/ISPF, and debugging or performance analysis software, as well as certifications like IBM Certified System Programmer, are highly beneficial. Excellent problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and adaptability stand out in this role due to the dynamic nature of contract engagements. These competencies are crucial for efficiently maintaining legacy systems, ensuring business continuity, and collaborating with IT and business stakeholders.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Mainframe jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Mainframe jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Mainframe jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Contract Mainframe jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Contract Mainframe job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Mainframe job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, and 42% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,373 per year, or $55 per hour.

Cloud & Data Modernization Specialist - Mainframe Transformation

Beta Search

Chicago, IL • On-site

$140 - $210/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Employment Type: Consulting / Contract

Overview

The company is seeking a Cloud & Data Modernization Specialist to support the modernization of a large-scale custody accounting platform.

Unlike traditional cloud transformation projects, this engagement focuses on stabilizing an existing IBM mainframe environment before progressively modernizing applications, data structures, and infrastructure in preparation for migration to Finbourne.

The ideal consultant understands both legacy mainframe ecosystems and modern cloud architectures, enabling practical modernization strategies that minimize business disruption.

Responsibilities
  • Assess legacy mainframe architecture and identify modernization opportunities.
  • Design cloud migration and hybrid architecture strategies.
  • Analyze legacy custody data structures and batch processing.
  • Design modern data integration solutions supporting phased migration.
  • Develop migration roadmaps for applications and data.
  • Improve data governance, lineage, and quality.
  • Partner with infrastructure, engineering, and business stakeholders.
  • Support cloud adoption and platform modernization initiatives.
  • Participate in architecture reviews and technical planning.
  • Support testing and production deployments.
Required Qualifications
  • 10+ years of enterprise technology experience.
  • Strong background in IBM Mainframe environments.
  • Experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, JCL, batch processing, or related technologies.
  • Experience modernizing legacy financial services platforms.
  • Strong understanding of enterprise data architecture.
  • Experience with cloud migration initiatives.
  • Securities Services experience.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Azure or AWS
  • Data Lake architecture
  • Snowflake
  • Databricks
  • Microsoft Fabric
  • Finbourne
  • Terraform
  • Kubernetes
  • API integration
  • Event-driven architecture
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