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Lead Cobol Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

ConfigUSA

AS400 Synon Sr Developer

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

Strong exposure to DB2400 Must have Skills - iSeries, SYNON, COBOL, AS400 (Mid-Range), ILE, COBOL ... Lead team in an onshore/offshore model * Work in a team focused on continuous integration ...

Sarian, Inc.

AS400 Synon Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site +1

AS400 Synon Engineer Must Have Technical/Functional Skills iSeries, SYNON, COBOL, AS400 (Mid-Range ... Lead team in an onshore/offshore model • Work in a team focused on continuous integration ...

Amaze Systems Inc.

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

Technical Skills (APPS)-Mainframe-Language-Mainframe - COBOL Job : Technical Lead Other Requirement ... Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM Unix Shell scripting is ...

Navtech, Inc.

Java Tech Lead with Mulesoft

Chicago, IL · On-site

... more programming languages; knowing one or more development methodologies / delivery models ... Experience in traditional app languages ( COBOL / Perl / C). *Experience in scripting languages ...

Morgan Stanley

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

$50.50 - $65/hr

This is a Lead Cloud & Infrastructure Engineering position at the Vice President level, which is ... Assembler, COBOL and REXX coding and knowledge of CICS Exits Web application support in a CICS TS ...

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices ... COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, or RACF. * Minimum 3+ years leading ...

Accenture

Enterprise Technology Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$94K - $266K/yr

... lead-from-the-front technology thought leaders. Although we excel in the new and cloud-native, we ... Proven experience in engineering and modernizing IT systems using Agentic AI Compensation at ...

Accenture

Enterprise Technology Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$87 - $230/hr

... lead-from-the-front technology thought leaders. Although we excel in the new and cloud-native, we ... Proven experience in engineering and modernizing IT systems using Agentic AI Compensation at ...

Accenture

Enterprise Technology Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$94K - $266K/yr

... lead-from-the-front technology thought leaders. Although we excel in the new and cloud-native, we ... Proven experience in engineering and modernizing IT systems using Agentic AI Compensation at ...

All JobsLead Cobol Developer JobsLead Cobol Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Lead Cobol Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$82.9K

$135K

$176.2K

How much do lead cobol developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead cobol developer in Chicago, IL is $134,975.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,500.00 and $149,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Lead COBOL developer?

Lead Cobol Developers are senior-level professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications using the COBOL programming language, primarily for legacy systems in industries like banking, insurance, and government. They oversee teams of COBOL developers, provide technical guidance, and ensure that projects meet business and technical requirements. In addition to strong programming skills, they often collaborate with stakeholders to plan system upgrades, migrations, or integrations, and play a key role in troubleshooting and optimizing mainframe applications.

What are the primary responsibilities of a Lead COBOL developer?

As a Lead COBOL Developer, you will typically oversee the design, development, and maintenance of critical legacy systems, often within large financial, insurance, or government organizations. Your role involves not only hands-on coding but also mentoring junior developers, conducting code reviews, and collaborating with business analysts to translate requirements into effective solutions. You may also be responsible for planning modernization initiatives, integrating COBOL applications with newer technologies, and ensuring system reliability and compliance. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as you will frequently coordinate with cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead COBOL developer?

To thrive as a Lead COBOL Developer, you need deep expertise in COBOL programming, mainframe systems, and experience with software development life cycles, typically backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, JCL, DB2, and version control systems, as well as certifications in mainframe technologies, are commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage teams and coordinate with stakeholders effectively. These skills ensure successful project delivery, ongoing system maintenance, and efficient modernization of legacy applications.

What is the difference between Lead Cobol Developer vs Cobol Developer?

AspectLead Cobol DeveloperCobol Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, experience in COBOL, often leadership skillsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, proficiency in COBOL
Work EnvironmentLead roles in team settings, project management, client interactionIndividual contributor, coding, testing, and debugging
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, large corporationsFinancial services, insurance, government, and enterprise sectors

The main difference between a Lead Cobol Developer and a Cobol Developer lies in leadership responsibilities, project oversight, and team coordination. Lead Cobol Developers typically manage projects and mentor junior staff, while Cobol Developers focus on coding and technical tasks. Both roles require strong COBOL skills and industry experience, but the Lead position involves additional managerial duties.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Lead Cobol Developer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Lead Cobol Developer job openings:

Lead Cobol Developer jobs near you

Mainframe Product Owner (COBOL / Banking)

Randstad Digital

Chicago, IL • On-site

$52.66 - $62.66/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

job summary:

We are seeking a Product Owner with a background in Mainframe and COBOL systems to guide software delivery for a leading banking platform. In this remote contract position, you will work at the intersection of modern product management and core legacy architecture, driving product roadmaps and delivering continuous value for critical financial systems.


location: Telecommute
job type: Contract
salary: $52.66 - 62.66 per hour
work hours: 8am to 5pm
education: Bachelors
responsibilities:
  • Lead product discovery, roadmap strategy, and backlog refinement using agile methodology.
  • Partner with engineering teams to translate complex Mainframe and COBOL legacy requirements into clear, executable user stories.
  • Facilitate transparent communication between client stakeholders and engineering delivery teams.
  • Utilize data, market feedback, and user research to continuously optimize feature delivery.

qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree required.


5+ years of experience in Software Product Ownership / Product Management.


5+ years of technical experience or deep working knowledge within Mainframe and COBOL environments.


Demonstrated domain experience working in the Banking or Financial Services sector.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS


Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with client-facing experience.


Background in large-scale modernizations or legacy system transformations.


skills:

Agile,COBOL,technical literacy,Legacy Systems,Mainframe,Mainframe Systems,Software Product Management,system requirements,human-centered design,assertive,communication,leadership,proactive,Collaboration,Architecture,banking,business objectives,Continuous Improvement,core banking,Client Communication,product discovery,ecosystems,Financial Services,Analyze market trends,Mentor team members,backlog prioritization,agile product management,Product Ownership,clear communication,stakeholder engagement,product roadmap,user feedback,user stories



Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.
At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact
Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).
This posting is open for thirty (30) days.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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