Role Overview:Mainframe Java Architect will lead the modernization of mainframe systems to Java/Spring Boot architecture.
Key Responsibilities:- Define the end-state architecture for modernized Java/Spring Boot systems.
- Create modernization blueprints, migration patterns, and reference architectures.
- Evaluate and recommend modernization approaches (replatform, refactor, automated conversion, rewrite).
- Develop current-state and target-state architecture diagrams.
- Analyze COBOL programs, copybooks, JCL workflows, CICS/IMS transactions, DB2 schemas, and VSAM files.
- Identify application dependencies, integration points, and batch schedules.
- Map legacy components to modern equivalents (Spring Batch, REST APIs, RDBMS/NoSQL, Kafka, MQ).
- Define modernization waves, thin slices, and deployment sequencing.
- Guide design decisions for API-first, microservices, and event-driven systems.
- Ensure coexistence patterns between mainframe and modernized components during transition.
- Oversee data migration, transformation, and validation strategies.
- Provide architectural direction to internal teams and external vendors.
- Review converted Java code for quality, maintainability, performance, and security.
- Establish coding standards, API specifications, and DevSecOps practices.
- Influence platform decisions across cloud, infrastructure, and application engineering.
- Ensure modernized systems meet or exceed mainframe performance SLAs.
- Drive capacity planning, performance testing, resiliency, and failover strategies.
- Partner with security teams to enforce compliance, encryption, audit, and access controls.
- Work closely with business SMEs to ensure functional accuracy during conversion.
- Present architectural recommendations to leadership and modernization governance teams.
- Provide status updates, risk assessments, and technical documentation.
Required Qualifications:- 10+ years of experience in mainframe technologies (COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, IMS).
- 5+ years of Java/Spring Boot architecture and microservices design.
- Hands-on experience with mainframe modernization or transformation programs.
- Strong understanding of event-driven architecture (Kafka, MQ), API gateways & REST API standards, RDBMS & NoSQL databases, batch processing at scale (Spring Batch), CI/CD, Git, Jenkins/GitHub/Azure DevOps pipelines.
- Experience with automated code conversion tools (Micro Focus, Heirloom, Astadia, IBM Wazi) is a plus.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with domain-driven design (DDD).
- Knowledge of container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift).
- Exposure to financial services, insurance, or other highly regulated industries.
- Enterprise architecture certifications (TOGAF, SAFe, etc.).
Soft Skills:- Ability to influence and lead technical teams.
- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.
- Comfortable working in an agile, fast-paced delivery environment.
- Strong documentation and presentation skills.