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Lead Cobol Developer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Sr. COBOL/CICS/DB2 Developer - Hybrid

Lanham, MD ยท On-site

$49 - $63/hr

Lead development efforts, system enhancements, and modernization initiatives * Troubleshoot complex ... developers and contribute to development best practices Requirements: * 8+ years of COBOL, CICS ...

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Senior AI Software Developer

Fairfax, VA

$54 - $71.50/hr

Senior AI Software Developer Job Locations US Job ID 2026-2179 # of Openings 1 Overview Pyramid ... Lead modernization of legacy federal applications, including translating and re-platforming COBOL ...

Senior Java Developer

Ashburn, VA

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

... COBOL app to Java. Senior Java Developer responsibilities include gathering system and user ... If you have hands-on experience developing software with agile methodologies and are ready to lead ...

Mainframe - HOGAN

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$55.50 - $71.25/hr

Mainframe - HOGAN Tech Lead Washington DC Good programming experience in COBOL, JCL, VSAM At least 3 years' experience on Hogan Core Banking Platform Design, code, new programs for online and batch ...

Mainframe - HOGAN

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$55.50 - $71.25/hr

Company Description Mainframe - HOGAN Tech Lead Washington DC Good programming experience in COBOL, JCL, VSAM At least 3 years' experience on Hogan Core Banking Platform Design, code, new programs ...

Locals Only Urgent Need ETL Datastage Developer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$51.50 - $67.50/hr

Lead team of ETL developers, perform root cause analysis, and develop effective * Find gaps in the ... JCL, Cobol, SAS. * Strong analytical and development skills required to trouble the issues and ...

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced senior Storage Database Lead Engineer to join ... Proficiency in MS Office 365, MS Windows, z/OS, JCL, Visio, COBOL, Cincom SUPRA PDM and Cincom ...

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced senior Storage Database Lead Engineer to join ... Proficiency in MS Office 365, MS Windows, z/OS, JCL, Visio, COBOL, Cincom SUPRA PDM and Cincom ...

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an experienced senior Storage Database Lead Engineer to join ... Proficiency in MS Office 365, MS Windows, z/OS, JCL, Visio, COBOL, Cincom SUPRA PDM and Cincom ...

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Lead Cobol Developer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$83.7K

$136.3K

$177.9K

How much do lead cobol developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead cobol developer in Reston, VA is $136,313.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,700.00 and $151,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Will AI replace COBOL?

AI is unlikely to fully replace COBOL developers in the near term because many legacy systems still rely on COBOL for critical financial and business applications. Instead, COBOL developers are increasingly involved in maintaining, modernizing, and integrating existing systems with new technologies, often using tools like automated code generators and modernization platforms.

Are COBOL developers still in demand?

COBOL developers are still in demand in industries such as banking, finance, and government, where legacy systems rely on COBOL. Many organizations seek experienced developers to maintain, update, and modernize these systems, often requiring knowledge of mainframe environments and related tools.

What are Lead Cobol Developers?

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 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.

Are COBOL programmers still in demand?

COBOL programmers, including Lead COBOL Developers, are still in demand for maintaining and updating legacy systems in industries like banking and finance. Many organizations seek experienced developers with skills in mainframe environments, often requiring knowledge of tools like JCL and DB2. While new development is limited, expertise in COBOL remains valuable for system support and modernization projects.

How much do COBOL devs get paid?

Lead COBOL developers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles with specialized skills in mainframe environments and legacy system maintenance may command higher salaries, especially in financial and government sectors.

What are the primary responsibilities of a Lead COBOL Developer in a modern enterprise environment?

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, and why are they important?

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 job categories do people searching Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Lead Cobol Developer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Lead Cobol Developer job openings:
Senior COBOL/CICS/DB2 Developer

Senior COBOL/CICS/DB2 Developer

eTelligent Group LLC

Lanham, MD โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Place of Performance: New Carrollton Federal Building, 5000 Ellin Road, Lanham, MD 20706 (Government's site: 25 % and Contractor's site: 75%)

Citizenship: US Citizen (MUST)

Security Clearance (Minimum requirement): Active IRS MBI clearance/badge and ability to maintain clearance throughout contract performance.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Lead analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment of COBOL/CICS/DB2 applications supporting IRS MFRA systems.
  • Perform production support, defect resolution, Filing Season updates, legislative changes, and O&M activities.
  • Support FIT testing, code remediation, implementation activities, and post-production support.
  • Develop and maintain OneSDLC documentation and technical artifacts.
  • Provide troubleshooting, performance tuning, and mentoring to IRS staff.

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Minimum Qualifications:

  • Minimum 8 years of COBOL, CICS, and DB2 experience.
  • Experience supporting large IBM mainframe environments.
  • Knowledge of JCL, Endevor, File Manager, IBM Debugger, Jira, and IBM ELM.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.