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Lead Cobol Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ConfigUSA

AS400 Synon Sr Developer

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

... COBOL, AS400 (Mid-Range), ILE, COBOL/400, CLLE, SQL Experience Required Yes Roles ... Lead team in an onshore/offshore model • Work in a team focused on continuous integration ...

Infojini Inc

Mainframe

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$47.75 - $61.25/hr

... service enable a legacy COBOL application 2. Lead the business functional and technical ... design, programming, testing and implementation, technical and user documentation, software ...

Compunnel

Lead Java Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

JOB SUMMARY We are seeking an experienced Lead Java Engineer to drive the modernization of our systems from Cobol to Java. This role will be instrumental in defining and implementing architectural ...

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 ...

Barrow Wise Consulting

Mainframe Developer

Springfield, IL · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Minimum five (5) years of experience with COBOL programming language * Minimum five (5) years of ... Barrow Wise will continue to lead the industry in delivering new solutions to clients and persevere ...

Barrow Wise Consulting

Mainframe Developer

Springfield, IL

$48.50 - $62.50/hr

Minimum five (5) years of experience with COBOL programming language * Minimum five (5) years of ... Barrow Wise will continue to lead the industry in delivering new solutions to clients and persevere ...

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All JobsLead Cobol Developer Jobs

Lead Cobol Developer information

See salary details

$80.5K

$131K

$171K

How much do lead cobol developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 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 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.

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.
More about Lead Cobol Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Cobol Developer jobs? Cities with the most Lead Cobol Developer job openings:
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Lead Cobol Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Cobol Developer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 13% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 77% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $131,025 per year, or $63 per hour.

Mainframe Developer

Government Systems Technologies Inc. (GSTi)

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$54 - $69.50/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Mainframe Developer
Location: New York, New York
Primary Skills: DevOps, JCL, COBOL
Job Duration : 6 Months
--
Job Description:

We are seeking a Senior Mainframe Lead to oversee mainframe development, maintenance, and operations with 8+ years of experience.
The ideal candidate will have deep technical expertise in mainframe systems (z/OS, COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, IMS-DB),
strong leadership abilities, and the experience to mentor team members and manage projects.
This role requires both hands-on technical work and coordination with cross-functional teams.
Job Responsibilities:
Lead and manage a team of mainframe developers and analysts in delivering complex enterprise solutions.
Provide technical direction and architecture guidance for mainframe systems and applications.
Design, develop, test, and maintain high-performance COBOL applications running on z/OS platforms.
Review, optimize, and troubleshoot JCL, DB2, IMS-DB and CICS components.
Collaborate with stakeholders across business and IT to gather requirements and ensure delivery meets business needs.
Plan and execute system upgrades, migrations, and integration with other enterprise systems.
Ensure adherence to security, compliance, and change management policies.
Mentor junior team members and foster knowledge sharing.
Provide production support for critical mainframe applications and ensure SLAs are met.
Identify opportunities to modernize or integrate legacy systems with cloud or distributed systems.
Required Skills:
8+ years of experience in mainframe environments.
Strong proficiency in COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2, IMS-DB and z/OS.
Experience with batch and online processing systems.
Familiarity with scheduling tools (e.g., CA7, Control-M).
Proven track record in leading mainframe teams or projects.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Strong communication and leadership capabilities

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