ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mainframe Developer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Herndon, VA

$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 ...

IBM

Mainframe Modernization SME/ Secret Clearance

Hampton, VA · On-site

$47.25 - $61/hr

... CD pipeline engineering. * Ability to read, analyze, and decompose production COBOL programs, JCL jobs, VSAM datasets, copybooks (COPY/COPYLIB), and embedded SQL. Understand mainframe batch ...

New

Avance Consulting Services

MainFrame

Mclean, VA

It provides strategic business consulting, technology, engineering and outsourcing services to help ... Qualifications MainFrames,Cobol,JCL,ISPW Additional Information All your information will be kept ...

Artech Information System LLC

mainframe lead

Richmond, VA

$48.50 - $62.25/hr

TITLE: Mainframe Lead/ Technical Team Leader Mainframe DURATION:1 +YEAR Location: RICHMOND,VA Required skills Strong Environment Management Skills. 2. COBOL, JCL, CA7, DB2, IMS DB/DC 3. Good ...

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Mainframe System Programmer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... Programmer reviews all products and processes to verify the requirement of compatibility maintenance, schedule and implement changes as required and performs routine maintenance on mainframe systems.

AMERICAN SYSTEMS

Mainframe System Programmer

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$120K - $140K/yr

... Programmer reviews all products and processes to verify the requirement of compatibility maintenance, schedule and implement changes as required and performs routine maintenance on mainframe systems.

Stem Xpert

Mainframe Tester

Mclean, VA

... engineering and systems integration. Our tightly integrated offerings are tailored to each clients ... Title: Mainframe Tester Location: Mclean VA and Alpharetta, GA No of Positions: 2 Position type:

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsMainframe Developer JobsMainframe Developer Jobs in Virginia

Mainframe Developer information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$52

$71

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Virginia is $52.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.73 and $60.05 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 popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in Virginia?

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

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

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

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

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

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

Mainframe Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,074 per year, or $52.9 per hour.

Mainframe Infra Engineer (z/OS) - Only W2

Saransh Inc

Mclean, VA • On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Role: Mainframe Infra Engineer (Mainframe z/OS Technical Lead / L3 Engineer)
Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid)
Job Type: W2 Contract
 
Skill Matrix:
Name
Required
IMS
Yes
DB2
Yes
JCL
Yes
Cobol
Yes
Mainframe CICS
Yes
CICS
Yes
z/OS
Yes
 
Experience: Overall 15 years
Job Description:
We are seeking a senior Mainframe Z/OS Technical Lead to act as the client-side SME overseeing outsourced mainframe services and guiding a small internal team.
 
Responsibilities:
• Provide technical oversight of vendor-managed mainframe operations
• Review daily operations, incidents, RCA, changes, and releases
• Validate vendor recommendations and ensure adherence to SLAs and ITIL processes
• Act as escalation point for complex mainframe issues
• Provide expert guidance on z/OS, Sysplex, WLM, JES, and RACF
• Oversee IMS (DB/DC), DB2 for z/OS, and CICS environments
• Review system performance, capacity, availability, and stability
• Recommend improvements for performance, automation, and cost optimization
• Identify risks, technical debt, and modernization opportunities
• Review DR, BCP, backup, and recovery strategies
• Provide architectural input for upgrades and future-state planning
• Communicate technical insights clearly to leadership and stakeholders
 
Required Skills:
• 10+ years of strong hands-on mainframe experience.
• Expert knowledge of z/OS, IMS, DB2, CICS
• Strong understanding of JCL, COBOL, and batch processing
• Experience with vendor-managed or outsourced environments
• Ability to influence, challenge, and guide vendors constructively
 
Preferred:
• Mainframe modernization or optimization experience
• ITIL process exposure