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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 ...

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Chicago, IL

$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 ...

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 Aug 28, 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?

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Lead Cobol Developer jobs near you

AS400 Synon Sr Developer

ConfigUSA

Schaumburg, IL • Remote

Contractor

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Job Title AS400 Synon Sr Developer
Relevant Experience
(in Yrs) 15+ yrs
Technical/Functional Skills • Strong functional knowledge of core PBM functions specifically core adjudication, pricing, accumulators, MED D Pricing, benefit plan, patient pay and regulations
• 15+ years of hands-on coding experience in CA/2E (Synon) including programming, array handling, commit control
• 8+ years of hands-on coding experience in COBOL AS400 and/or Cobol ILE
• Experience working with ACMS/MOM
• Strong exposure to DB2400
Must have Skills - iSeries, SYNON, COBOL, AS400 (Mid-Range), ILE, COBOL/400, CLLE, SQL
Experience Required Yes
Roles & Responsibilities
• Analyze and understand the functional and technical requirements.
• Work with business and capability teams to discuss and refine the requirements.
• Ability to guide the team and do hands-on development.
• Partner with team members to build robust, efficient, effective solutions.
• Identify opportunities to fine-tune and optimize applications.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum development process.
• Lead team in an onshore/offshore model
• Work in a team focused on continuous integration, improvement and learning
• Contribute to developing the technology roadmap for the team both functionally and technically
• Experience of coordinating with the client for requirement clarification and solution discussions
Generic Managerial Skills Required
Education Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s is a plus