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

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders ... Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM ...

Mainframe Specialist

Herndon, VA

$70K - $196K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Showing results 21-32

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 Aug 17, 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.

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 Reston, VA?

For Lead Cobol Developer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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 Application Engineer

System One

Vienna, VA • Remote

Contractor

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Senior Application Engineer Location: Remote Pay Rate: Open to Both C2C and W2 options Position Type: Multiyear Contract Description Design, develop, and optimize software applications that bridge technical teams and end-users, addressing business needs through innovative solutions and enhancing member or internal user experiences. Leverage the full software development lifecycle, including design, coding, testing, and deployment on an Agile Release Train, to ensure efficient system improvements. Work under minimal supervision and use complete understanding of business needs and objectives to support projects that have impact on the achievement of operational goals. Advanced skill set and proficiency with procedures and techniques. Responsibilities • Research and analysis of the existing CACS application and the known, documented interfaces • Identification of required changes needed for integration with downstream applications • Architecture and design documentation for the proposed processing • Engineering the technical solution, migration to the Integration environment for quality testing, and resolution of identified bugs • Debt Sale execution and validation with the possibility for some engineering work. • Design, develop, and optimize high-quality software applications using various, advanced programming languages and frameworks that meet business requirements • Collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and team members to gather and analyze requirements and translate them into technical specifications, propose innovative solutions, and ensure timely task completion • Write advanced, clean, scalable, and maintainable code that adheres to industry best practices and organizational coding standards • Implement data structures and algorithms efficiently, optimizing code for performance, scalability, and user experience • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve advanced application functionality, performance, and bugs, ensuring quality and system improvements • Conduct advanced and team code reviews, provide constructive feedback, and learn from colleagues' expertise to maintain a high-quality codebase • Lead small projects and initiatives, while building strong working relationships with stakeholders, team members and subject matter experts, driving collective success and continuous improvement • Contribute to generating and adhering to application and software development engineering policies, standards, and procedures • Continuously learn from individual and team experiences, fostering growth and improvement through collaboration and continuous feedback Qualifications • Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, a related field or the equivalent combination of education, training or experience • 10+ years of experience in application or software development engineering • Prefer knowledge and understanding of Collections business processes • Advanced proficiency in software development principles, the SAFe/Agile methodology, and version control systems • Expertise in mainframe programming languages and development tools such as JCL, COBOL, DB2 and IBM mainframe utilities (Syncsort, DFSort, ICETOOL) on z/OS. Client leverages Changeman ZMF for change management and ESP for job scheduling • Deep understanding of database structures, web technologies, and technical applications, capable of designing and implementing scalable solutions • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to address complex technical issues efficiently • Advanced written and verbal communication skills for articulating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Experience in software testing, quality assurance, and optimizing code for performance, scalability, and maintainability • Advanced knowledge of customer support tools, ticketing systems, and knowledge base platforms for effective resolution of technical issues • Expertise in data structures, algorithms, and applying them for optimal application performance and scalability • Ability to lead projects, mentor team members, and contribute to the development of engineering policies, standards, and procedures Ref: #851-Rockville-S1