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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Engineer

Merrifield, VA · On-site

$49 - $62.75/hr

Job#: 3046406 Mainframe Engineer Location: Merrifield, Virginia (Hybrid) or Remote U.S. Role Overview This position requires a strong ability to investigate operational, technical, and business ...

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Mainframe SRE

Kettering, MD · On-site

$48.50 - $62.50/hr

Collaborate with DevOps and development teams to extend CI/CD practices into mainframe pipelines * Document standard operating procedures, runbooks, and post-incident reviews * Participate in on-call ...

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Analytica is seeking a remote  z/OS Mainframe Programmer  to support a long standing federal government project. The candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing dynamic solutions.

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Analytica is seeking a remote z/OS Mainframe Programmer to support a long standing federal government project. The candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing dynamic solutions.

Java Mainframe Developer

Vienna, VA · Remote

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

Java Developer Location: Remote Type: Contract Responsibilities * Design, develop, and enhance complex software applications supporting mission-critical, time-sensitive initiatives focused on ...

Mainframe Engineer Location: Vienna, VA Type: Long Term W-2 Contract Compensation: Negotiable Work Model: Hybrid - onsite and remote Hours: 40 hrs a week Security Clearance: None but full background ...

Mainframe Specialist

Herndon, VA · 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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Mainframe Developer information

See Washington salary details

$11

$60

$81

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Washington is $60.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.37 and $68.61 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 Washington?

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,748 per year, or $60.5 per hour.

Mainframe Developer Onsite with Banking Exp

Tektree Systems Inc.

Mclean, VA • On-site

$50.25 - $64.75/hr

Other

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Mandatory skills:
Experience in mainframe systems
Experience in Application Support
Strong communication skills

A minimum 8 - 10 years of systems analysis/application development experience Background in development in core Mainframe Systems Experience with Cobol, CICS, JCL, VSAM, DB2. Must have good knowledge on Easytrieve, CA-7 and exposure to CICS(would be nice to have), PANVALET, XPEDITOR, PANAPT, FILEAID, Experience with files structures(VSAM, GDG, Fixed Block, Variable Block), ISPS, TSO, FTP etc. Exposure to Job control language program execution Exposure to COBOL DB2 program coding, Application development using CICS Exposure to Processing VSAM datasets and Dataset allocation, ISPF/PDF

•Experience with Ezytrive & REXX (GOOD TO HAVE)

•Experience with Job Scheduling, Incident management, Problem Management

•Able to investigate complex business cases and come up with an explanation by code.

•Previous experience in Banking is compulsory

•Contribute as part of a development & production support team.

•Excellent problem-solving skills to assist in issue resolution.

•Experience in working with documentation and document repositories.

•Strong verbal and written communication skills.


Years of Experience:    14.00 Years of Experience