1

Mainframe Developer Jobs in Normal, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$100K - $185K/yr

Overview As a Senior Software Engineer , you will work with a team of developers to deliver software features, APIs, and microservice-based solutions. We are looking for candidates with experience ...

Showing results 21-27

Mainframe Developer information

See Normal, IL salary details

$9

$52

$70

How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Normal, IL is $52.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.06 and $59.23 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 cities near Normal, IL are hiring for Mainframe Developer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Normal, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,546 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Bloomington, IL • On-site

Steampunk
IT Services • 201 - 500 employees

$100K - $185K/yr

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and deploy microservice-based applications and cloud-native solutions using Java and React

  • Troubleshoot software quality, security, and reliability issues

  • Support debugging, troubleshooting, and testing of software


Job description

Overview

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will work with a team of developers to deliver software features, APIs, and microservice-based solutions. We are looking for candidates with experience designing, developing, and delivering modern software solutions using Agile and DevSecOps practices, including CI/CD, build and release management, automated testing, and cloud-native application development.

Contributions
  • Design, develop, and deploy microservice-based applications and cloud-native solutions using Java and React
  • Collaborate with stakeholders, designers, and business analysts to refine functional and technical requirements
  • Troubleshoot software quality, security, and reliability issues
  • Participate in code reviews, quality assurance activities, and the establishment of engineering best practices
  • Automate unit and functional tests
  • Identify technical problems, perform root cause analysis, and develop updates and fixes
  • Support debugging, troubleshooting, and testing of software
  • Document software code, features, and training guides
  • Utilize containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and virtualization where appropriate to support scalable application deployment
  • Implement solutions and provide continuous improvement recommendations
  • Present technical solutions, demonstrations, and implementation approaches to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Qualifications
  • Ability to obtain a U.S. governmentPublic Trust Security Clearance
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 5+ years of software development experience using Java and React in an Agile environment
  • Experience developing cloud-native applications, RESTful APIs, and distributed services
  • 3+ years of experience implementing CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins or GitHub Actions
  • Experience developing, deploying, and supporting applications using Docker containers
  • Experience implementing automated testing frameworks, including unit, integration, and functional testing

Preferred:

  • Experience supporting technical demonstrations or tech challenges
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills
About steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $185,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk’s total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program.

#J-18808-Ljbffr