1

Mainframe Developer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Specialist

Morristown, TN · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Mainframe Specialist

Nashville, TN · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Core Technologies Programming/Runtime: Java, SQL, Tomcat, Websphere Databases ... Oracle, SQL, Neo4J, Mongo (distributed) or DB2, VSAM (mainframe) Streaming/Event Platforms: Kafka ...

... DevOps. USM, a US ensured Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is perceived as one of the fastest ... Mainframe operating systems required Basic knowledge of identity attributes and process ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Mainframe Developer information

See Tennessee salary details

$9

$48

$65

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Tennessee is $48.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.74 and $55.00 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in Tennessee? For Mainframe Developer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Developer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Developer jobs in Tennessee are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, and 48% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,769 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior Mainframe Developer / Technical Lead (COBOL) - Onsite

NTT DATA Services

Nashville, TN • On-site, Remote

$92K - $213K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


NTT Data rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 92 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

117th of 223 rated it services


Job description

Req ID: 384924 

NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.

We are currently seeking a Senior Mainframe Developer / Technical Lead (COBOL) - Onsite to join our team in Nashville, Tennessee (US-TN), United States (US).

Senior Mainframe Developer / Technical Lead (COBOL)

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Mainframe Developer / Technical Lead to provide technical leadership for enterprise mainframe applications supporting high-volume, mission-critical transaction processing. This role combines hands-on development, solution architecture, mentoring, and platform modernization to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that support key business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design, development, and support of enterprise mainframe applications.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentor developers while promoting engineering best practices.
  • Design and maintain scalable architecture for high-volume, data-intensive systems.
  • Establish and enforce development standards, code quality, and technical direction.
  • Evaluate existing applications and recommend enhancements to improve performance, scalability, and reliability.
  • Partner with Infrastructure and Operations teams to plan upgrades, optimize system performance, and resolve production issues.
  • Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions and improve customer experience.
  • Participate in architecture reviews, code reviews, unit testing, production support, and troubleshooting.
  • Identify technical risks, recommend solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience developing enterprise applications using COBOL, DB2, VSAM, and JCL.
  • 5+ years of experience with CICS, including knowledge of Dynamic Transaction Routing.
  • Experience with DB2 utilities, File-AID, scheduling tools, and debugging tools.
  • Strong understanding of distributed applications and systems integration.
  • Experience supporting high-volume, fault-tolerant, mission-critical systems.
  • Proven ability to troubleshoot complex production issues and optimize application performance.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and implement effective solutions.
  • Experience leading technical initiatives and mentoring development teams.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with technical and business stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience within Brokerage, Capital Markets, Banking, or Financial Services.
  • Experience with platform modernization and performance optimization initiatives.
  • Experience working with geographically distributed Agile teams.

What You'll Bring

  • Strong technical leadership with a hands-on development approach.
  • Expertise in designing and supporting scalable enterprise mainframe applications.
  • A passion for mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence.
  • A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on quality, reliability, and operational excellence.

Pay Transparency

Where required by law, NTT DATA provides a reasonable range of compensation for specific roles. The starting pay range for this remote role is $92,408-$213,906. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Actual compensation will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate’s actual work location, relevant experience, technical skills, and other qualifications. 

This position is eligible for company benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution, flexible spending or health savings account, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program with company match, and additional voluntary or legally-required benefits. 

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services.  Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact-us.

 

NTT DATA endeavors to make https://us.nttdata.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at https://us.nttdata.com/en/contact-us. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. NTT DATA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here. For Pay Transparency information, please click here.

#LI-NorthAmerica


What NTT Data employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


NTT DATA logo

About NTT DATA

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NTT DATA Services is a global business and IT services provider specializing in digital, cloud and automation across a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, applications, infrastructure and business process services. We are part of the NTT family of companies, a partner to 85 % of the Fortune 100.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Plano, TX, US

Year founded

1967