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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Support Engineer

Millstadt, IL · On-site

$47.50 - $61.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Lovejoy, IL · On-site

$48.25 - $62.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Mitchell, IL · On-site

$45.75 - $59/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Maryville, IL · On-site

$45.75 - $59/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Madison, IL · On-site

$46.75 - $60/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Brooklyn, IL · On-site

$47.75 - $61.50/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Caseyville, IL · On-site

$45.25 - $58.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Columbia, IL · On-site

$48 - $61.75/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Venice, IL · On-site

$46.75 - $60.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Dupo, IL · On-site

$45.25 - $58.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Mainframe Support Engineer

Belleville, IL · On-site

$47.50 - $61.25/hr

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch ...

Showing results 21-40

Mainframe Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$51

$70

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Illinois is $51.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $58.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mainframe developer?

Mainframe Developers are specialized software engineers who design, develop, maintain, and troubleshoot applications on mainframe computer systems, such as IBM's z/OS. They typically work with languages like COBOL, JCL, and CICS, and are responsible for ensuring the performance, security, and reliability of mission-critical business applications. Mainframe Developers are commonly employed in industries like banking, insurance, and government, where large-scale, high-volume transaction processing is essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mainframe developer?

To thrive as a Mainframe Developer, you need expertise in programming languages such as COBOL, JCL, and SQL, along with a strong understanding of mainframe operating systems and batch processing concepts. Familiarity with tools like IBM z/OS, DB2, CICS, and version control systems is typically required, and certifications from IBM or related organizations can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help Mainframe Developers excel in troubleshooting and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for maintaining, optimizing, and modernizing legacy systems that are vital to many large organizations’ operations.

What are some common challenges mainframe developers face when integrating legacy systems with modern applications?

Mainframe Developers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy systems and newer technologies, managing data migration without disrupting business operations, and maintaining the security of sensitive data. Effective communication with cross-functional teams, such as application developers and infrastructure engineers, is essential to address these challenges. Staying updated on both mainframe and modern programming practices helps ease integration and ensures long-term system reliability.

What is the difference between Mainframe Developer vs Mainframe Analyst?

AspectMainframe DeveloperMainframe Analyst
Primary RoleDesigning, coding, and testing mainframe applicationsAnalyzing and maintaining existing mainframe systems
Skills & CertificationsCOBOL, JCL, DB2, certifications like IBM Certified DeveloperCOBOL, JCL, system analysis, troubleshooting skills
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding in mainframe environmentsSupport teams, system analysis, user support
Industry UsageFinancial services, insurance, government agenciesFinancial institutions, healthcare, government agencies

While Mainframe Developers focus on creating and implementing mainframe applications, Mainframe Analysts primarily analyze, troubleshoot, and maintain existing systems. Both roles require similar technical skills and often work within the same industries, but their core responsibilities differ in development versus support and analysis.

Is a mainframe developer a good career?

A mainframe developer is a specialized IT professional who maintains and develops applications on mainframe systems, which are used by large organizations for critical data processing. The role offers stable employment, competitive salaries, and opportunities to work with legacy technologies like COBOL and JCL, but it may require ongoing learning of evolving mainframe tools and certifications. Overall, it can be a good career for those interested in enterprise computing and system stability.

Is a mainframe developer hard to learn?

Mainframe developers typically need to learn specialized programming languages like COBOL and understand mainframe environments, which can have a steep learning curve for beginners. However, with prior programming experience and training, acquiring the necessary skills is achievable, and many employers offer on-the-job training or certification programs.

Is mainframe developer still in demand?

Mainframe developers are still in demand in industries such as finance, insurance, and government, where legacy systems remain critical. They typically work with COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments, and demand depends on the organization's reliance on mainframe technology and ongoing maintenance needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Mainframe Developer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,587 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Mainframe Support Engineer

Neshent Technologies

Washington Park, IL • On-site

$46.75 - $60/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

We are seeking a Mainframe Support Engineer to provide L2/L3 production support for enterprise mainframe applications. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, Batch processing, and production support operations. This role involves incident management, troubleshooting, batch monitoring, data analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure system stability and business continuity.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Provide L2/L3 production support for mainframe applications and services.
  • Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve production incidents within defined SLAs.
  • Perform incident triage, root cause analysis, and implement timely resolutions.
  • Monitor and support batch jobs, identify job abends, and ensure successful batch processing.
  • Execute operational runbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Perform DB2 data analysis, reporting, and troubleshooting.
  • Collaborate with business users and technical teams to resolve production issues.
  • Maintain operational documentation, knowledge base articles, and support procedures.
  • Participate in incident communication, status updates, and post-incident reviews.
  • Support workforce management, time reporting, and overtime equalization processes where applicable.
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and system reliability.
Required Skills & Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience in Mainframe Production Support.
  • Strong hands-on experience with COBOL, DB2, VSAM, and Batch Processing.
  • Experience handling L2/L3 production support, incident management, and problem resolution.
  • Strong knowledge of batch scheduling, monitoring, and job abend analysis.
  • Experience with DB2 queries, data analysis, and report generation.
  • Understanding of production support processes, SLA management, and operational procedures.
  • Exposure to C# and VB.NET applications is desirable.
  • Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with business and technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced production support environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting workforce management or time reporting applications.
  • Knowledge of ITIL-based Incident and Problem Management processes.
  • Experience with production monitoring and operational support tools.
  • Ability to support after-hours or on-call production activities when required.