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Lead Cobol Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cobol Lead

$51.50 - $69.50/hr

* This role will assist with the development and support of an enterprise project to convert multiple mainframe Cobol applications into mainframe java applications. WatsonX for Z will be used for code ...

AS400/Cobol Tech Lead

Whippany, NJ · On-site

$60 - $70/hr

AS400/COBOL Tech Lead Role is remote Work type: W2 We are seeking an experienced AS400 Technical ... Mandatory skills: 1. AS400/COBOL 2. AS/40 ILE Concepts with CL programming 3. Query/400, SQL Years ...

COBOL/Mainframe Developer

Albany, NY · On-site

$48.75 - $62.50/hr

Job Title: COBOL/Mainframe Developer Location: Albany, NY (Onsite) We are currently seeking ... Proven track record as a Lead Programmer, responsible for guiding development teams and overseeing ...

We are hiring for a Lead Programmer Analyst with advanced Tandem HP/Nonstop experience. Senior ... COBOL, SCOBOL, Tandem HP Nonstop utilities, batch and online programming, reliable system design ...

We are hiring for a Lead Programmer Analyst with advanced Tandem HP/Nonstop experience. Senior ... COBOL, SCOBOL, Tandem HP Nonstop utilities, batch and online programming, reliable system design ...

We are hiring for a Lead Programmer Analyst with advanced Tandem HP/Nonstop experience. Senior ... COBOL, SCOBOL, Tandem HP Nonstop utilities, batch and online programming, reliable system design ...

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Lead Cobol Developer information

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$80.5K

$131K

$171K

How much do lead cobol developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead cobol developer in the United States is $131,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $145,500.00 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.

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Infographic showing various Lead Cobol Developer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $131,025 per year, or $63 per hour.

Cobol Programmer with Microfocus OR Visual Cobol V9

Blythewood, SC • On-site

Visionsoft International
IT Services • 51 - 200 employees

Other

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

COBOL Programmer - Visual Cobol 9

12+ Months

Blythewood, SC

Daily duties / responsibilities:

1. Analyze the Phoenix core business system and assigned tickets for development and/or

system modification.

2. Take the lead in analyzing and proposing solutions to assigned tickets and projects

3. Partner with business units to develop business specifications, translate those business

specifications into technical specifications, and obtain business sign-off of specifications.

4. Code, test, promote, and interact with impacted users ensuring that solution meets

requirements as documented in the specifications.

5. Production support for the Phoenix system

6. Provide daily and weekly status to the development manager and business analyst(s)

Required Skills:

10+ Years of Experience with Visual and/or Micro Focus COBOL

1+ Year of Experience with Visual COBOL V9

10+ Years of experience with computer system analysis, design, coding, testing,

debugging, and implementation techniques and practices for developing new systems or

modifying existing systems.

10+ Years of Experience developing and maintaining complex, mission critical applications

in a Windows based Client Server environment.

10+ Years of Experience Leading a technical software development team in planning and

deployment of software systems.

10+ Years of Experience coding and testing complex COBOL based business systems in an

Oracle SQL database and Windows based client-server environment.

10+ Years Experience providing Level 3 (L3) production support

10+ Years Experience functioning as the primary contact with business units to develop

and review business and technical specifications and ensure delivery of specified

functionality.

Preferred Skills:

Oracle 19+ SQL

Familiarity with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET / C# development environment

Experience working in a Governmental environment

 

Preferred Certifications:

Visual COBOL technical certifications

Additional Skills:

Experience mentoring and guiding less experiences technical colleagues

Proven proficiency communicating effectively with users, vendors, staff members and

management both orally and in writing.

Ability to plan, define, lead, direct, instruct, and review project work and personnel.

 

Education:

Prefer Bachelor’s Degree In Computer Science or a closely related discipline with 10 Years

of Experience. Experience in a government agency environment is extremely helpful.