Freelance Mainframe Applications Developer Jobs in California

About the Role

Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, and RACF? We are looking for exceptional talent to join our Mainframe Modernization practice and serve as a technical anchor for high-impact transformation programs. Depending on experience, this role may be filled at the Mainframe Specialist or Associate Manager level.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Serve as subject-matter expert across core mainframe technologies, providing hands-on guidance to project teams and clients.

• Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards.

• Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization strategies-covering rehosting, refactoring, re-platforming, and reengineering approaches.

• Oversee the implementation of approved modernization roadmaps, from inception through go-live.

Collaboration & Delivery

• Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather requirements, analyze business needs, and deliver high-quality solutions.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to secure executive sponsorship and organizational buy-in for modernization investments.

• Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, providing expert guidance on strategy, risk, and solution design.

People & Practice Development

• Mentor and coach junior team members, cultivating their mainframe and modernization skills.

• Define and continuously refine the practice roadmap, aligning modernization initiatives with organizational goals.

• Stay current with industry trends and emerging mainframe technologies, incorporating new capabilities into the practice.

This role may require up to 100% travel based on client engagement requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on mainframe development experience in one or more of: COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, or RACF.

• Minimum 3+ years leading or executing mainframe modernization initiatives with a demonstrable track record of delivery.

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent minimum 12 years' work experience. (Associate's Degree requires minimum 6 years' work experience.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications in mainframe technologies (e.g., IBM Certified) and project management (e.g., PMP, SAFe).

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills-proven ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex legacy environments and craft innovative, pragmatic modernization solutions.

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) as modernization targets.

Compensation at Accenture varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, Accenture provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired as set forth below.
We anticipate this job posting will be posted until 08/16/2026.
Accenture offers a market competitive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off. See more information on our benefits here:

U.S. Employee Benefits | Accenture

Role Location Annual Salary Range
California $70,350 to $196,000
Cleveland $59,100 to $156,800
Colorado $63,800 to $169,300
District of Columbia $68,000 to $180,300
Illinois $59,100 to $169,300
Maine $54,400 to $144,300
Maryland $63,800 to $169,300
Massachusetts $63,800 to $180,300
Minnesota $63,800 to $169,300
New York $66,300 to $196,000
New Jersey $68,000 to $196,000
Virginia $59,100 to $180,300
Washington $80,200 to $180,300

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services-creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities.

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Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Candidates who are currently employed by a client of Accenture or an affiliated Accenture business may not be eligible for consideration.

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