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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity MassMutual's Product Technology team is seeking a Mainframe Engineer - TradV Modernization to support the modernization and ongoing transformation of our TradV (Traditional Vantage ...

Principal Engineer

Marlborough, MA Β· On-site +1

$142K - $185K/yr

Lead the evolution of mainframe engineering and delivery practices to improve efficiency, stability, quality, and speed to value. * Partner with product, architecture, and cross-ART teams to design ...

New

Cobol Developer

Quincy, MA

$52.75 - $71.50/hr

Looking for a strong Cobol Developer to work on maintaining and enhancing existing mainframe applications with a large government environment. This is a long term position and in the coming years ...

Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division (MSD) is looking for a talented and motivated Software Engineer with a passion for building high quality applications using agile practices to join our ...

Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division (MSD) is looking for a talented and motivated Software Engineer with a passion for building high quality applications using agile practices to join our ...

Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division (MSD) is looking for a talented and motivated Software Engineer with a passion for building high quality applications using agile practices to join our ...

NET domain models. β€’ Ability to read, analyze and interpret Mainframe code such as COBOL, JCL ... Azure DevOps, SonarQube, or similar development and DevSecOps tools. β€’ Experience with ...

Ability to work with mainframe SMEs to reverse-engineer logic and map it into modern .NET domain models. * Ability to read, analyze and interpret Mainframe code such as COBOL, JCL, VSAM and DB for z ...

SENIOR SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER Z/OS SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER ~~ Z/OS ~ ~ MAIFRAME ~~ INTERNALS ~~ PRODUCT ... Z/OS MAINFRAME PERFORMANCE AND TUNING * DEBUGGING SKILLS * STRONG KNOWLEDGE OF MONITORING TOOLS At ...

Ability to work with mainframe SMEs toreverse-engineerlogic and map it into modern .NET domain ... Experiencewithtools such as Git, Azure DevOps, SonarQube, or similar development andDevSecOpstools.

Showing results 21-40

Mainframe Developer information

See Boston, MA salary details

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$57

$78

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Boston, MA is $57.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.20 and $65.82 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 job categories do people searching Mainframe Developer jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Mainframe Developer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Boston, MA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,619 per year, or $58 per hour.

Developer - Policy Admin Systems

Boston, MA β€’ Hybrid

MassMutual
Finance and InsuranceΒ β€’Β 201 - 500 employees

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support the modernization and ongoing transformation of TradV platforms, including product builds and platform enhancements.

  • Translate new product specifications into mainframe system changes and support system integration across platforms.

  • Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 support for production issues, participate in incident resolution, and perform root cause analysis.


Job description

Developer - Policy Admin Systems 
Full time - Hybrid, Springfield/Boston
*** Candidate will be expected to work a hybrid schedule, including a minimum of three days per week in the office ***

The Opportunity

MassMutual’s Product Technology team is seeking a Mainframe Engineer – TradV Modernization to support the modernization and ongoing transformation of our TradV (Traditional Vantage) platforms as part of MassMutual’s broader Product Manufacturing strategy. This role will help modernize critical life insurance administration platforms while balancing ongoing support for existing mainframe systems.

You will work closely with our global business and technology teams to support new product development, system integration, and platform optimization efforts. This is a hands-on technical role with opportunities to contribute to both development and production support across a high-impact modernization roadmap.

The Team

The Product Technology organization enables MassMutual’s life insurance and disability income product lines, delivering new product launches, supporting policy administration systems, and driving modernization across legacy and cloud platforms. The TradV Modernization team works across Mainframe and Cloud technologies, partnering closely with Product Manufacturing, Engineering, Architecture, and Operations to support MassMutual’s Product portfolio expansion and platform consolidation efforts.

The Impact:

Mainframe Development & Modernization

  • Support TradV modernization, product builds, and administration platform enhancements across Life, DI, and Annuity products.
  • Lead and execute development using COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, and Micro Focus COBOL.
  • Support modernization efforts across hybrid platforms, including Mainframe-to-Cloud transitions.
  • Analyze performance differences between legacy and cloud implementations and drive optimization efforts.
     

Product Delivery & System Integration

  • Work closely with business analysts, product teams, and architects to translate new product specifications into scalable mainframe system changes.
  • Support multiple product launches annually as part of MassMutual’s Product Manufacturing strategy.
  • Collaborate on cross-platform integration involving Vantage, wMA, and modern cloud-based systems.
  • Partner with developers, QA, and production support teams to ensure seamless delivery across SDLC phases.
     

Production Support & Operations

  • Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 support for ongoing production issues across TradV systems.
  • Participate in on-call rotations to resolve incidents, triage failures, and address performance issues.
  • Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent solutions to improve platform stability.
     

Platform Modernization & Cloud Readiness

  • Drive modernization initiatives, including Mainframe-to-Cloud migrations where applicable.
  • Support containerization, DevOps, and CI/CD adoption as modernization progresses.
  • Collaborate with platform, cloud, and DevSecOps teams on secure, compliant infrastructure enablement.

The Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related technical field
  • 8+ years of experience in software development, including experience in Senior Developer or Technical Lead roles
  • 5+ years experience with a combination of the technologies:
    • COBOL, Micro Focus COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2
    • CA7 and Zena Scheduler
    • Xpeditor, Endevor
    • Java/J2EE knowledge helpful for hybrid work
    • Platform modernization and performance tuning
    • Hybrid Mainframe-Cloud architectures

The Ideal Qualifications

  • 8+ years experience in Life Insurance domain experience (highly preferred)
  • wMA / Vantage platform experience
  • Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
  • DevOps pipeline experience (CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Cloud-based mainframe modernization tools
  • Certifications in ITIL, Agile, or Mainframe modernization technologies
  • Strong problem-solving, debugging, and data flow analysis skills
  • Ability to visualize and analyze data flow across complex insurance administration platforms
  • Clear communication skills for collaboration with business and technology partners
  • Eagerness to learn new technologies and evolve with modernization efforts
  • Strong ownership mindset, ability to work across development, testing, and support functions

What You Can Expect at MassMutual

MassMutual offers the opportunity to do meaningful work within a purpose-driven organization that values long-term impact over short-term outcomes. In this role, you can expect:

Clear areas of ownership and accountability, with work that connects directly to company and customer outcomes 

A collaborative environment where perspectives are welcomed  

Access to learning, development, and internal networks that support continuous growth and skill-building over time 

Employee-led communities and forums that foster connection, learning, and inclusion across the organization 

A culture grounded in integrity, responsibility, and stewardshipβ€”supported by a company with a strong legacy and a future-focused mindset

#LI-RK1

MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.
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