1

Contract Mainframe Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$47.50 - $61.25/hr

Contract: Onsite If you are interested share your resume ASAP Position : Mainframe Developer with IMS Background Location: Wilmington, DE Duration: Contract 100% Onsite (5 days in a Week) Mandatory ...

Contract to Hire * Develop maintain and enhance Mainframe based applications and systems using languages like COBOL PLI Assembler or REXX * Manage Mainframe databases such as DB2 IMS DB or IDMS ...

Role - Mainframe Tester Location - Mclean, VA Duration - Contract to Hire Need 5+ years of experience. Strong in mainframe testing experience, including using COBOL//JCL/DB2. Knowledge of automation ...

Mainframe Developer

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$47.50 - $61.25/hr

Contract Responsibilities: Primary Skill: VSAM, COBOL, DevOps * Design, code, test, and maintain mainframe applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, IMS DB or DC, CICS, VSAM, and IBM MQ. * Develop and ...

Mainframe Developer

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$47.50 - $61/hr

Contract Responsibilities: Primary Skill: VSAM, COBOL, DevOps * Design, code, test, and maintain mainframe applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, IMS DB or DC, CICS, VSAM, and IBM MQ. * Develop and ...

Contract Skill Metrics: DB2 Cobol IBM ALCS CICS JCL Mandatory skills: COBOL, JCL, DB2, ALCS & CICS ... Mainframe Utilities to design and optimize systems that enhance operational efficiency.

This is a Contract position, and the client is looking for someone to start immediately. Duration ... Mainframe, COBOL Role Description: The Mainframe Developer must have 4+ years of experience. Top ...

We offer an excellent compensation package We are looking for Mainframe Programmer in Raleigh, NC for 12+ months contract position. Job details mentioned below- Title: Mainframe Programmer Location ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Contract Mainframe information

See salary details

$10

$53

$72

How much do contract mainframe jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract mainframe in the United States is $53.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.12 and $60.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Contract Mainframe job?

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 are the 5 key elements of a contract?

The five key elements of a contract are offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual intent to be bound, and legal capacity. For contract roles like Mainframe, understanding these elements ensures clear agreement terms and enforceability. Knowledge of contract law and attention to detail are essential skills for such positions.

What is the definition of a contract?

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines specific obligations and rights. In a contract-related job, such as Contract Mainframe roles, understanding contract terms, negotiations, and compliance is essential for managing project scope and deliverables.

What is another word for contract?

In the context of a Contract Mainframe role, another word for contract is agreement or engagement, which refers to a formal arrangement between an employer and an employee or contractor. Such roles often involve temporary or project-based work, requiring knowledge of mainframe systems and related skills.

What kinds of projects or responsibilities are common for Contract Mainframe professionals?

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 is contracting a disease?

Contracting a disease refers to becoming infected with a pathogen, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which can occur through contact with contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, or airborne particles. In a healthcare or laboratory setting, understanding disease transmission is important for implementing proper safety protocols and protective measures. For a Contract Mainframe role, awareness of health and safety standards may be relevant in maintaining a safe work environment.

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

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.

More about Contract Mainframe jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Mainframe jobs? Cities with the most Contract Mainframe job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe jobs? The most popular types of Mainframe jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Mainframe jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Mainframe jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Mainframe job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 28% Full Time, and 72% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,026 per year, or $53.4 per hour.
Mainframe Solutions Architect

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Red Canyon Technologies is seeking a Mainframe Solutions Architect to serve as the primary technical authority on mainframe and legacy system modernization engagements under the DISA Reforged contract. This person is the irreplaceable technical spine of the delivery team - the individual who can walk into a mainframe environment, rapidly understand what is running and why, and architect a credible path forward.
The Mainframe Solutions Architect will partner closely with the Technical PM, senior Red Canyon leadership (including the Program Directors who established Reforged), and the Government customer to design and execute modernization strategies across a wide range of legacy environments. Early work will almost certainly include Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) system modernization and large-scale COBOL application assessment. The right candidate has been in these environments before and is not intimidated by complexity, technical debt, or limited documentation.
*This position is contingent upon contract award.*
Responsibilities
Mainframe Engineering & Architecture
  • Serve as the lead technical voice on mainframe architecture, application structure, data flows, and modernization feasibility for assigned engagements.
  • Engineer, administer, and troubleshoot IBM z/OS environments supporting DISA/DoD mission workloads, including advanced support for JES2, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, SMF/RMF, and SMP/E.
  • Support and tune DB2 for z/OS environments (connectivity, performance, backup/recovery coordination, and operational support) and CICS regions including configuration, performance tuning, and outage resolution.
  • Analyze dumps, logs, and system traces; drive root-cause analysis and implement permanent fixes.
  • Provide technical support to application teams for mainframe workloads, including code-level troubleshooting and job support in COBOL, REXX, JCL, and legacy languages such as FORTRAN as applicable.

Assessments, Migrations & Modernization
  • Conduct and lead legacy system assessments: inventory, dependency mapping, risk identification, and production of actionable modernization roadmaps.
  • Design solution architectures for modernization scenarios including code refactoring, rehosting, API enablement, hybrid cloud integration, and workload offloading.
  • Plan and execute migrations and upgrades (z/OS version upgrades, subsystem upgrades, environment consolidation); build repeatable migration playbooks, checklists, and readiness criteria.
  • Translate assessment findings into concrete, defensible technical recommendations for Government customers - including trade-off analysis and phased implementation plans.
  • Coordinate cutovers and validate post-migration stability; lead or support implementation efforts including direct technical involvement in early engagement phases.

Security & Compliance
  • Collaborate with ICAM, security, and infrastructure teams to ensure modernization approaches integrate seamlessly with DoD security frameworks (RMF, Zero Trust, SNAP/eMASS).
  • Implement and validate security controls aligned with DISA/DoD requirements including STIGs, hardening guidance, and RACF or equivalent mainframe security administration.

Team & Program Support
  • Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on mainframe concepts, modernization patterns, and Red Canyon delivery standards.
  • Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, PWS development, and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for new task order opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain operational documentation: runbooks, SOPs, change plans, and rollback procedures.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
  • 8+ years of IBM mainframe experience supporting enterprise production environments.
  • Active Secret clearance strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated hands-on expertise in z/OS systems programming/administration, DB2 for z/OS operational support, and CICS operational support.
  • Proficiency in core mainframe operations tooling: JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, JES2, SMP/E.
  • Experience with performance and capacity analysis using SMF/RMF or equivalent tools.
  • Proven experience contributing to or leading mainframe assessments and migrations/upgrades.
  • Experience designing and executing mainframe modernization strategies, including at least one of: application rehosting, code refactoring, cloud migration, or API enablement of legacy systems.
  • Familiarity with hybrid cloud architectures and their intersection with mainframe environments (IBM z/OS Connect, cloud-native integration, workload offloading).

Preferred
  • Direct experience supporting DISA, DoD, or other Federal defense agency mainframe programs.
  • Assembler experience (reading/debugging, performance analysis, exit routines, and problem determination).
  • Experience with ICAM systems, access control modernization, or RACF/RBAC environments on mainframe.
  • Familiarity with RMF, ATO processes, and DoD cybersecurity compliance frameworks (NIST 800-53, CMMC) as they apply to mainframe environments; DISA STIG implementation experience.
  • Experience with cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP) and migrating or refactoring mainframe capabilities into cloud services using patterns such as API enablement, strangler fig, replatform, or rehost.
  • REST/Web Services knowledge including exposing or consuming services from z/OS via z/OS Connect; familiarity with modernization-related tooling such as Rocket Software, IBM Data Virtualization, SAS, VSAM/ISAM, Natural, and Adabas.
  • Familiarity with AIOps concepts (anomaly detection, alert reduction, faster incident triage) within approved DoD tooling frameworks.
  • Experience with modernization platforms such as Micro Focus, Broadcom, or IBM-native refactoring and migration tools.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.

About Us
Diné Development Corporation (DDC) is a Navajo Nation owned family of companies that provides government agencies and commercial organizations with high-quality IT, professional, environmental, and research and development services. DDC is dedicated to empowering the Navajo Nation and communities we serve.
Benefits
Eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, retirement savings with company match, paid time off, voluntary supplemental benefits, and access to an employee assistance program. The package also includes educational assistance, with tuition reimbursement.
EEO Statement
This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation, or any other basis prohibited by law. We participate in E-Verify.