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Mainframe Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Atlanta, GA

$47 - $60.50/hr

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Mainframe Development & Support * Design, develop, and maintain mainframe applications using COBOL, PL/I, JCL, REXX, and Assembler. * Analyze existing legacy programs and batch ...

Mainframe CICS/MQ Developer

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$47.50 - $61.25/hr

Required : • 10+ years of Mainframe development experience. • Strong hands-on experience with CICS and IBM MQ. • Expertise in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and VSAM. • Experience with system analysis ...

Mainframe Systems Programer

Hartford, CT · On-site

$55.50 - $70.50/hr

Mainframe Mainframe Programmer/ Developer Location: Hybrid- 55 Farmington Avenue Hartford ... Strong JCL development and troubleshooting skills. * Extensive IMS Database experience.

Strong JCL development and troubleshooting skills. Extensive IMS Database experience. Experience with BMC Utilities for IMS. Experience developing large-scale data extracts and conversion processes.

Experience: * Extensive experience in mainframe application development and maintenance. * Experience with debugging, unit testing, and integration testing. * Experience supporting QA, User ...

CT · On-site

Strong JCL development and troubleshooting skills * Extensive IMS Database experience * Experience with BMC Utilities for IMS * Experience developing large-scale data extracts and conversion ...

Mainframe Systems Programmer

East Hartford, CT · On-site

$54.50 - $69.50/hr

Required Qualifications · 10+ years of Mainframe Development experience. · Expert-level COBOL programming experience. · Strong JCL development and troubleshooting skills. · Extensive IMS Database ...

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Mainframe Development information

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$10

$53

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How much do mainframe development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe development in the United States is $53.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.12 and $60.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a mainframe developer do?

A mainframe developer designs, codes, tests, and maintains applications running on mainframe computers, often using languages like COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler. They work in environments that require high reliability and security, and typically use tools such as IBM z/OS and JCL to manage batch and online processing tasks.

What is the difference between Mainframe Development vs Mainframe Testing?

AspectMainframe DevelopmentMainframe Testing
Primary FocusDesigning, coding, and maintaining mainframe applicationsVerifying and validating mainframe applications for bugs and performance
Required SkillsCOBOL, JCL, DB2, CICSTesting tools, scripting, debugging, knowledge of mainframe environments
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding in mainframe environmentsQuality assurance teams, testing labs, mainframe systems
CertificationsCOBOL certifications, IBM mainframe certificationsISTQB, mainframe testing certifications

While Mainframe Development involves creating and maintaining mainframe applications, Mainframe Testing focuses on ensuring those applications work correctly and efficiently. Both roles require knowledge of mainframe environments and related skills, but they serve different stages in the software lifecycle.

Can mainframe be replaced by AI?

Mainframe development involves maintaining and programming large-scale, reliable computing systems used in industries like finance and government. While AI can automate certain tasks and improve efficiency, it is unlikely to fully replace mainframes due to their specialized hardware, security requirements, and high availability needs. Mainframe skills remain valuable for managing legacy systems and integrating new technologies.

Is mainframe still in demand?

Mainframe development remains in demand in industries such as finance, insurance, and government, where large-scale transaction processing and data security are critical. Skilled mainframe programmers with knowledge of COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments are sought after for maintaining and modernizing legacy systems. The demand is steady due to the high cost and complexity of replacing mainframe infrastructure.

What is the salary of a mainframe developer?

The salary of a mainframe developer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in COBOL, JCL, or mainframe tools may earn higher salaries. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
More about Mainframe Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Mainframe Development jobs? Cities with the most Mainframe Development job openings:
What states have the most Mainframe Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Mainframe Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 83% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,026 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

$47 - $60.50/hr

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description


Mainframe Developer with DevOps Migration

Location: Atlanta, GA, Maryland, MD

Visa: OPT /STEM OPT/ H1B

Duration: Long-term contract

Video Interview

Required Skills

  • 6+ years Strong experience with COBOL, PL/I, JCL, REXX, and Assembler programming.
  • Hands-on experience in IBM z/OS mainframe environments.
  • Strong knowledge of DB2 for z/OS, CICS, IMS, and batch processing systems.
  • Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines for mainframe applications.
  • Expertise with IBM DBB, Jenkins, GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket, and DevOps automation tools.
  • Experience with mainframe migration and modernization projects.
  • Prior experience in large enterprise modernization or migration programs.
  • Experience integrating mainframe DevOps with enterprise tools such as Jira, Confluence, and ServiceNow.
  • Strong understanding of SMP/E, IDCAMS, FTP/XMIT, and dataset management.
  • Experience troubleshooting production issues and performance tuning.
  • Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer with strong expertise in DevOps Migration to support modernization initiatives for enterprise mainframe environments. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in legacy application development, z/OS support, CI/CD enablement, and migration planning/execution within large-scale enterprise environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Mainframe Development & Support

  • Design, develop, and maintain mainframe applications using COBOL, PL/I, JCL, REXX, and Assembler.
  • Analyze existing legacy programs and batch jobs to assess modernization readiness and reusability.
  • Develop and optimize DB2 for z/OS queries, stored procedures, and data access logic.
  • Support CICS and IMS transaction processing applications throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve production incidents, abends, and performance issues in z/OS environments.

DevOps & CI/CD Enablement

  • Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines for mainframe application delivery using IBM Dependency Based Build (DBB), Jenkins, Tekton, or equivalent tooling.
  • Migrate mainframe source code to Git-based version control (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) and establish branching and release strategies.
  • Develop automated unit and regression test frameworks for COBOL/PL/I programs using tools such as IBM Rational Test RealTime or IBM Z Open Testing.
  • Define and enforce DevOps standards, code review practices, and deployment governance for mainframe delivery teams.
  • Integrate mainframe build and deploy processes with enterprise DevOps platforms (Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow).

Migration Planning & Execution

  • Conduct discovery and impact analysis of z/OS workloads — JCL, batch jobs, datasets, and application interdependencies — to support migration planning.
  • Prepare detailed migration plans, task breakdowns, and effort estimates for management and stakeholder review.
  • Execute controlled migrations between environments (Dev, Test, Production) ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime.
  • Manage cross-LPAR dataset transfers, SMP/E activities, and library migrations using approved methods (FTP, XMIT, IDCAMS).
  • Document pre- and post-migration states, cutover procedures, and rollback plans.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Work closely with infrastructure teams on LPAR configuration, storage, and system software upgrades (e.g., DB2 version upgrades, IBM software installs).
  • Coordinate with application owners, QA teams, and project managers to align delivery timelines and resolve technical dependencies.
  • Contribute to DevOps capability-building by coaching junior developers and conducting internal knowledge-transfer sessions.
  • Prepare technical documentation, runbooks, and status reports for internal and client audiences.