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Mainframe Developer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note: This position is open to local candidates in McLean, VA only. Face-to-face (F2F) interviews are mandatory, so ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note: This position is open to local candidates in McLean, VA only. Face-to-face (F2F) interviews are mandatory, so ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain) Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week) Note: This position is open to local candidates in McLean, VA only. Face-to-face (F2F) interviews are mandatory, so ...

Mainframe Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.75 - $63.75/hr

Deland, Gibson Insurance Associates is seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer with strong expertise in the Banking domain. The role involves designing, developing, maintaining, and supporting ...

Mainframe developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Mainframe developer Location: Mclean, VA Duration: contract or full time Skillset : Experience in Mainframe (COBOL/JCL/DB2/IMS/CICS) - must have. Must have - Mainframe and IMS Good in analysis ...

Mainframe Developer

Chantilly, VA

$50.25 - $64.50/hr

... engineers from their employers. We represent only high caliber technical professionals who have committed to making a change required by career. Skills: Hogan, COBOL, DB2, JCL, VSAM, Mainframe ...

Senior Mainframe Developer (COBOL) Location: Primarily Remote Onsite Expectations: Monthly travel to Reston, VA for PI Planning Compensation: $83/HR Employment Type: W2 only About the Role We're ...

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA · Remote

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

Tier One Technologies has an immediate need for a z/OS Mainframe Developer to support our US Government client. * This is going to be a 100% remote position. * SELECTED CANDIDATES WITHOUT REQUIRED ...

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA · Remote

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

* Tier One Technologies has an immediate need for a z/OS Mainframe Developer to support our US Government client. * This is going to be a 100% remote position. * SELECTED CANDIDATES WITHOUT REQUIRED ...

z/OS Mainframe Developer (Remote)

Alexandria, VA · On-site +1

$52.50 - $67.50/hr

Tier One Technologies has an immediate need for a z/OS Mainframe Developer to support our US Government client. * This is going to be a 100% remote position. * SELECTED CANDIDATES WITHOUT REQUIRED ...

Senior Mainframe Engineer Location: remote Pay rate: open to W2 and established 1099s Position type: multiyear contract We are currently seeking a Senior Mainframe Programmer/Support Analyst with a ...

Mainframe Engineering

Mclean, VA · On-site

$40 - $45/hr

Mainframe Engineering Location : McLean, VA Required Knowledge * z/OS architectures and internals. * zSecure tool and Carla language (customization experience is a plus). * Mainframe security related ...

Sr Mainframe Developer / Support

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

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 ...

Mainframe Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

The Mainframe engineers responsibilities include: Technical Lead for Mainframe Platform (z/OS| Dell Storage| IMS| DB2| RACF| CA JobTrac) to govern operations| changes and sustainability upgrade ...

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Mainframe Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

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How much do mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe developer in Washington, DC is $60.44, 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.

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 the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC? For Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Developer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Developer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,724 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Mainframe Developer

Delan Associates, Inc.

Mclean, VA • On-site

$49.50 - $63.75/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Position: Mainframe Developer (Banking Domain)
Location: McLean, VA (Onsite, 5 days/week)
Note: This position is open to local candidates in McLean, VA only. Face-to-face (F2F) interviews are mandatory, so candidates must be available to attend an in-person interview.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer with strong expertise in the Banking domain to design, develop, maintain, and support mission-critical mainframe applications. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and IBM mainframe technologies, along with a solid understanding of banking processes such as deposits, loans, payments, cards, or core banking.
Key Responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and maintain IBM Mainframe applications
Analyze business and functional requirements and convert them into technical solutions
Develop and enhance applications using COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, and VSAM
Create and modify JCLs for batch processing and job scheduling
Perform code reviews, unit testing, integration testing, and production support
Troubleshoot production issues and perform root cause analysis
Optimize application performance and improve batch processing efficiency
Work with business analysts, QA teams, and stakeholders throughout the SDLC
Participate in system upgrades, migrations, and application modernization initiatives
Maintain technical documentation and follow development standards
Required Skills
Mainframe Technologies
COBOL
JCL (Job Control Language)
CICS
DB2
VSAM
IMS (preferred)
TSO/ISPF
IBM z/OS
File-AID
Endevor, Changeman, or ISPW
SDSF
SPUFI
Database
DB2
SQL
Version Control
Endevor
Changeman
Git (preferred)
Scheduling Tools
CA-7
Control-M
OPC/TWS (preferred)