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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Lee Enterprises

Application Developer

Davenport, IA · On-site

Lee Enterprises is seeking a skilled Application Developer to design, build, and maintain applications that support our subscription, payment, circulation, and news systems . This role is focused on ...

Collabera

Application Developer.

Ankeny, IA · On-site

Application Developer. Length: 6 month Location: Ankeny, IA, 50021 Description This role is responsible for designing, coding and modifying applications, from layout to function and according to a ...

Berkley

Software Developer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

Responsibilities The Software Developer will participate in the design, development, testing, maintenance, and support of applications used across the corporation's subsidiaries. This role works ...

Berkley

Software Developer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

Responsibilities The Software Developer will participate in the design, development, testing, maintenance, and support of applications used across the corporation's subsidiaries. This role works ...

Berkley

Software Developer

Urbandale, IA

The Software Developer will participate in the design, development, testing, maintenance, and support of applications used across the corporation's subsidiaries. This role works closely with senior ...

Kent Corporation

SR SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Muscatine, IA · On-site

$51.25 - $67.50/hr

If you're a technically skilled developer who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing technical direction, and leveraging modern technologies like Azure, DevOps, Power Automate, and AI-assisted ...

Kent Corporation

SR SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Muscatine, IA · Hybrid

$51.25 - $67.50/hr

If you're a technically skilled developer who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing technical direction, and leveraging modern technologies like Azure, DevOps, Power Automate, and AI-assisted ...

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Mainframe Developer information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$50

$67

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Iowa is $50.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.23 and $56.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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.

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 operations. The role offers stable employment, competitive salaries, and requires skills in languages like COBOL and tools such as JCL. Demand remains steady in industries like finance and government, making it a viable career choice for those with relevant expertise.

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.

Is mainframe developer still in demand?

Mainframe developers are still in demand in industries such as finance, government, and insurance that rely on legacy systems. They typically work with COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments, and demand remains steady due to the ongoing need for system maintenance and integration. However, the overall job market is gradually shifting toward modern technologies, so acquiring skills in related areas can enhance job prospects.

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 the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Iowa?

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

What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in Iowa?

For Mainframe Developer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in IA?

For Mainframe Developer jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Mainframe Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,283 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

Application Developer

Lee Enterprises

Davenport, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Lee Enterprises rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

73rd of 76 rated media

Job description

Lee Enterprises is seeking a skilled Application Developer to design, build, and maintain applications that support our subscription, payment, circulation, and news systems.
This role is focused on building and managing integrations between systems, connecting internal platforms and third-party services to enable seamless data flow, automation, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate stays current with emerging trends in AI-driven development, modern engineering practices, and secure application design, and applies them effectively in a production environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain integration services and APIs connecting subscription, payment, circulation, and news platforms
  • Implement and enhance payment workflows, including integrations such as Adyen and Apple Pay
  • Build and maintain data exchange processes between internal systems and external providers
  • Automate workflows, scripts, and reporting processes to reduce manual operational tasks
  • Develop and maintain internal tools to support operational visibility and configuration
  • Apply modern development practices, including AI-assisted coding and automation tooling
  • Ensure integrations are secure, reliable, and scalable, balancing speed with risk management
  • Improve and standardize integration patterns, architecture, and engineering practices
  • Maintain clean, well-documented, production-ready code

Required Skills & Experience
  • Strong experience with modern programming languages such as:
    • C#, .NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, Node.js, or Python
  • Experience building and maintaining APIs and system integrations
  • Familiarity with third-party integrations, especially payment platforms (Adyen, Stripe, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of RESTful services, data exchange, and system interoperability
  • Experience with automation, scripting, and process optimization
  • Understanding of secure coding practices and application security principles
  • Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, code generation tools)
  • Experience using Git and modern development workflows
  • Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality solutions

Nice to Have
  • Experience with event-driven or message-based architectures
  • Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, GCP, AWS)
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
  • Exposure to subscription, circulation, or media systems
  • Experience evaluating and adopting emerging development tools and frameworks

What We're Looking For
  • An engineer who stays current with AI-driven development practices and tools
  • Strong ability to build and manage integrations across multiple systems
  • Someone who balances productivity gains from modern tooling with strong security practices
  • A developer who values maintainable architecture, reliability, and long-term system health
  • Ownership mindset with a focus on delivering scalable, production-ready solutions

Why Join the Lee Enterprises IT Team?
  • Work on critical systems that directly impact revenue and customer experience
  • Opportunity to modernize and streamline integration architecture across platforms
  • Engineering-focused environment with autonomy and ownership
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits

Why Join Us?
Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allow the flexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription and advertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expanding digital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Our core commitment is to provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities we serve.
Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.

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