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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Des Plaines, IL (NOW HIRING)

Tandem Developer

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.25/hr

Tandem Developer Job Location: Rolling Meadows,IL Job Type: Contract Technical Skills: * Strong ... CICS,JCL,Mainframe Enterprise Cobol,Mainframe DB2,Z/OS,CICS Admin,Mainframe - COBOL/JCL/CICS ...

Mainframe CICS and MQ

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

... collaborate with application developers on application design. ? Support for application ... Additional Information Strong experience in Mainframe CICS and MQ

CICS/MQ Systems Programmer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$56.75 - $72/hr

CICS /MQ MAINFRAME SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER CICS ~~ MQ ~~ Z/OS MAINFRAME SYSTEMS ~~ SMP/E ~~ JES 2 ~~ CICSPLEX ~~ INFRASTRUCTURE REMOTE !!~~ REMOTE!! ~~~~FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS/ANNUAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY~

z/OS Connect API Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $174K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

DB2 * RACF Development & DevOps * GitHub * CI/CD Pipelines * Git-based Version Control * Gradle Build Automation Additional Competencies * API Design and Development Best Practices * Mainframe ...

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

Technical Skills (APPS)-Mainframe-Language-Mainframe - COBOL Job : Technical Lead Other Requirement ... Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM Unix Shell scripting is ...

zOS Technical Developer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$45 - $52/hr

Role - zOS Technical Developer Location -Lisle, Illinois (Onsite, no remote) JD: * 5-8+ years of experience in mainframe development. * Strong proficiency in COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, DB2, IMS, REXX.

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Mainframe Developer information

See Des Plaines, IL salary details

$9

$52

$70

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Des Plaines, IL is $52.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.91 and $59.04 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 Des Plaines, IL?

For Mainframe Developer jobs in Des Plaines, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Des Plaines, IL are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

Cities near Des Plaines, IL with the most Mainframe Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Des Plaines, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 14% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,193 per year, or $52 per hour.

Tandem Developer

Staffingine LLC

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

$49.25 - $63.25/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Tandem Developer 
Job Location: Rolling Meadows,IL 
Job Type: Contract 

Job Description:  

Technical Skills: 

  • Strong experience with Tandem HP NonStop systems and tools 

  • Proficiency in Tandem programming languages such as COBOL and TACL 

  • Knowledge of Tandem database systems like Enscribe or SQLMP 

  • Familiarity with Tandem utilities such as Pathway TMF and Guardian 

  • Experience with batch processing and online transaction processing OLTP 

  • Understanding of system performance tuning and optimization techniques 

Soft Skills: 

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities 

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively 

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality 

Required Education or Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science information technology or a related field 

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in Tandem development and analysis 

  • Experience in insurance claims handling or related industries is a plus 

Skills 

  • Mandatory Skills : CICS,JCL,Mainframe Enterprise Cobol,Mainframe DB2,Z/OS,CICS Admin,Mainframe - COBOL/JCL/CICS,Mainframe - COBOL/JCL/DB2,Mainframe COBOL