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Mainframe Lead Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Triunity Software is looking for a talented Mainframe professional to join our growing team in Los ... Lead by experts in the IT industry with a proven record of delivering software solutions ...

Mainframe Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

Mainframe Specialist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Lead the design, development, and modernization of mainframe applications, enforcing best practices and architectural standards. * Evaluate legacy systems and propose actionable modernization ...

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Mainframe Lead information

See California salary details

$26

$63

$84

How much do mainframe lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe lead in California is $63.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57.16 and $71.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a mainframe lead position?

To thrive as a Mainframe Lead, you need deep expertise in mainframe technologies such as COBOL, JCL, and DB2, as well as strong leadership and project management experience. Familiarity with mainframe tools like IBM z/OS, RACF, and relevant certifications such as IBM Certified System Programmer are highly valued. Strong communication, problem-solving, and mentoring skills enable effective team leadership and cross-functional collaboration. These abilities are essential to ensure the reliability, security, and modernization of critical enterprise systems while driving successful project outcomes.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a mainframe lead?

As a Mainframe Lead, your daily responsibilities often include overseeing and guiding mainframe development or support teams, reviewing code or system changes, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. You’ll coordinate with business analysts and project managers to translate business requirements into technical solutions and may also troubleshoot and resolve complex system issues. Regularly, you’ll mentor junior staff, schedule workloads, monitor system performance, and participate in planning for upgrades or migrations. Collaborating with infrastructure, security, and application teams is a key part of ensuring smooth operations and project delivery.

What is a mainframe lead?

A Mainframe Lead is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and optimization of mainframe systems, ensuring their reliability and performance. They lead a team of mainframe developers, coordinate with stakeholders, and implement best practices for system upgrades and problem resolution. Additionally, they play a key role in managing security, compliance, and disaster recovery strategies for critical business applications.

What job categories do people searching Mainframe Lead jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Lead jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Lead job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,056 per year, or $63.5 per hour.

Mainframe Onsite Lead

Ruri Software Technologies LLC

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$50.25 - $64.75/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Job Title:- Mainframe Onsite Lead
Duration:- 8+ months
Location:- Onsite: 301 S. Tippecanoe Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92408
Job description/responsibilities:
- Understand requirements from specifications from Business Analyst & end-users
- Responsible for Several Iterations of Coding, Compilation, Application Build and Unit testing, and delivery of Assigned Modules
- Assist Post-delivery support and troubleshoot the current Mainframe environment
- Interact with other modules owners of the team for related program modules
- Enhance and main the existing mainframe applications.
- Should be able to independently analyze, design, debug, test, develop, and deploy changes in production.
- Should be able to manage the end-to-end service delivery for the Application Support team including 2 members Offshore team.
- Should be able to clearly understand the requirement and communicate with customer IT and business team.
Must have - Prior knowledge in Retail store system maintenance (Store Orders, Replenishment, Price Changes, etc.)
Nice to have - Knowledge in Distributed applications like Oracle SQL, Talend, B2Bi, Core FTP, etc.
Operational Services
i. Application Monitoring and Pager duties
ii. Batch Monitoring, and Ticketing tool monitoring
iii. Production System Upgrades support
iv. Month end/Year end activities
v. Holiday readiness and reporting
Top 3 skills:
1. Mainframe, COBOL, JCL, VSAM, Mainframe Coding using COBOL, CICS
2. Experience in product support engagements
3. Excellent communication skills