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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Cobol Developer

Springfield, IL

$49.75 - $67.50/hr

An experienced developer with mainframe/COBOL experience to work in business application development. Environment and tools are IBM Mainframe platform, z/OS operating system, TSO/ISPF and DB2.

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL Β· On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

Technical Skills (APPS)-Mainframe-Language-Mainframe - COBOL Job : Technical Lead Other Requirement ... Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM Unix Shell scripting is ...

Cobol Developer

Chicago, IL Β· On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

Analyze and process mainframe flat files and COBOL copybooks, including complex redefined ... engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data ...

Analyze and process mainframe flat files and COBOL copybooks, including complex redefined ... engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data ...

Cobol Developer

Chicago, IL Β· On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

Dearborn, MI Job SummaryWe are seeking an experienced Mainframe/COBOL Developer to support a critical legacy insurance platform (CPS) and assist with data preparation activities for migration to ...

zOS Technical Developer

Lisle, IL Β· On-site

$45 - $52/hr

Role - zOS Technical Developer Location -Lisle, Illinois (Onsite, no remote) JD: * 5-8+ years of experience in mainframe development. * Strong proficiency in COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2, IMS, REXX.

## Support Engineer - MainframeApplylocations: USA-IL Lisle Warrenville Roadtime type: Full timeposted ... This position is responsible for providing mainframe technical support for the Endevor/Zowe ...

This position is responsible for providing mainframe technical support for the Endevor/Zowe ... Engineers are expected to deliver a superior customer experience by exhibiting our core principles ...

Showing results 41-60

Mainframe Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$51

$70

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 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 September 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,587 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Mainframe Production Support Analyst

Schaumburg, IL β€’ On-site

CYNET SYSTEMS
IT ServicesΒ β€’Β 501 - 1,000 employees

$65 - $70/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Job Overview:

Pay Range: $65hr - $70hr

Requirement/Must Have:

  • Proficiency in IBM Mainframe technology and cross-platform scheduling software such as Control-M, CA7, or OpCon.
  • 1+ years of experience in providing L1 production support for batch operations comprising IBM Mainframe, Windows, and Unix environments.
  • Familiarity with IT Service Management tools like ServiceNow.

Responsibilities:

  • Monitor and manage complex daily production cycles.
  • Perform incident triage being the primary point of contact for system alerts, server notifications, and job abends.
  • Analyze system logs, console messages, and abend codes to perform corrective actions.
  • Execute JCL modifications, update dataset versions, and perform step-specific restarts as directed.
  • Manage the end-to-end incident lifecycle by documenting all failures, root causes, and resolutions.
  • Escalate complex code or data issues to specialized development teams.
  • Collaborate with different teams to drive incident resolution.
  • Handle calls from technical staff, vendors, and internal business partners to perform requested batch operations.
  • Participate in technical bridge calls to facilitate communication during P1/P2 incidents.
  • Adhere to strict Service Level Agreements.
  • Willingness to work in a 24/7 operational environment, including rotating shifts, nights, and weekends.
 

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in the Washington, DC metro area, Cynet Systems Inc. is a leading staffing and recruiting powerhouse. Proudly recognized as a nationally and locally certified diversity firm, Cynet delivers agile, scalable talent solutions across industries. With an active footprint in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, we support thousands of consultants through our expansive, high-performing recruitment engine operating across North America and Asia—ensuring speed, quality, and consistency in every hire.

Cynet Systems logo

About Cynet Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cynet Systems Inc is a staffing and recruiting corporation nestled in Ashburn, VA, USA. Established in 2010, the company operates within the Information Technology and Services sector, specializing in providing effective workforce solutions to different business needs, including IT consulting, direct hire, and contract staffing services. Through the years, Cynet Systems has built an impressive portfolio, going beyond borders and expanding its operations internationally in Canada and India. Rooted in its core values of teamwork, leadership, and commitment, Cynet Systems helps businesses unlock their full potential by providing versatile and competent professionals that perfectly align with their needs. Fueled by their unwavering mission to deliver top-tier talent to businesses worldwide, Cynet Systems garnered various recognitions including SIA's fastest-growing staffing firms and Best Place to Work in Virginia for 2019.

Industry

It services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sterling, VA, US

Year founded

2010

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