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Mainframe Lead Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Application Architect II on Mainframe side Work with the client's SME Ideal candidate is someone ... These individuals can lead a tool evaluation effort, including the definition of the evaluation ...

• Application Architect II on Mainframe side • Work with the client's SME • Ideal candidate ... These individuals can lead a tool evaluation effort, including the definition of the evaluation ...

Senior Mainframe Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$112.72 - $146.54/hr

Lead assessment of legacy mainframe applications, batch workloads, interfaces, databases, dependencies, and infrastructure components * Conduct application inventory, complexity analysis, dependency ...

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

Required Skill and Experience • Experience working as a Mainframes Architect on large scale enterprise modernization programs. • Lead assessment of legacy mainframe applications, batch workloads ...

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

This is a Lead Cloud & Infrastructure Engineering position at the Vice President level, which is ... The Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer/Engineer is responsible for all phases of CICS engineering ...

Posted today

Senior Mainframe DevOps Architect

Lisle, IL · On-site

$127K - $173K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a Senior Mainframe DevOps Architect to lead solution design and own end-to-end architecture for enterprise customers-translating complex business requirements into ...

RACF Mainframe Security Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$70K - $140K/yr

The RACF Mainframe Security Engineer is accountable for delivery and implementation of IAM ... Lead the response to RACF-related security incidents and implementing any necessary corrective ...

RACF Mainframe Security Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$70K - $140K/yr

The RACF Mainframe Security Engineer is accountable for delivery and implementation of IAM ... Lead the response to RACF-related security incidents and implementing any necessary corrective ...

We are searching for a Lead Mainframe Storage Engineer to join the Z Infrastructure team responsible for providing a highly available Z Compute and Storage platform, resilient against infra failures ...

Posted today

Lead Mainframe Architect DevOps Modernization Role Description Seeking an experienced Lead Mainframe Architect with strong expertise in IBM Z DevOps and enterprise modernization. The role focuses on ...

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Mainframe Lead information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$27

$66

$88

How much do mainframe lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe lead in Chicago, IL is $66.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59.66 and $74.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

Is a mainframe lead still in demand?

Mainframe lead roles remain in demand due to the continued reliance of many large organizations on mainframe systems for critical operations. These positions often require expertise in COBOL, JCL, and mainframe tools, with certifications and experience in managing legacy systems being valuable assets. The demand is steady, especially in finance, government, and insurance sectors that maintain mainframe infrastructure.

What job categories do people searching Mainframe Lead jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Mainframe Lead jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Mainframe Lead job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,951 per year, or $66.3 per hour.

Senior Legacy (Mainframe) Modernization Lead

Capgemini

Chicago, IL • On-site

$103K - $242K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Capgemini North America rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 226 rated it services


Job description

Choosing Capgemini means choosing a company where you will be empowered to shape your career in the way you'd like, where you'll be supported and inspired by a collaborative community of colleagues around the world, and where you'll be able to reimagine what's possible. Join us and help the world's leading organizations unlock the value of technology and build a more sustainable, more inclusive world.
Location
Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Nashville, TN, New Jersey/New York region
About the job you're considering
Capgemini is seeking Senior Legacy Modernization (Mainframe) lead at Director level who is a highly experienced technical leader responsible for designing and overseeing the process of updating and improving an organization's existing applications to align with modern technologies, typically involving cloud migration , infrastructure upgrades, and code refactoring , while ensuring the solutions meet business needs and are strategically aligned with the company's goals. Ideal candidate should have presales, GTM experience along with strong technical acumen.
Your role
• Experienced in Assessment and Strategy Development by evaluating mainframe application landscape, identifying legacy systems, and analyzing their technical debt.
• Defining a comprehensive application modernization strategy for mainframe and iseries technology stack including target architecture, migration approach, and technology roadmap.
• Experienced in defining the design and architecture for migrating / modernizing cloud-native architectures for legacy applications, considering scalability, performance, and security.
• Selecting appropriate modernization techniques mastering the R-factors like re-platforming, refactoring, or replacing applications based on business needs.
• Creating detailed technical blueprints for migration and modernization projects.
• Implementation and Oversight by Leading cross-functional teams through the application modernization process, including development, testing, and deployment.
• Monitoring progress, identifying risks, and making necessary adjustments to the modernization plan.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, partners to ensure alignment between business requirements and technical solutions.
• Ability to analyze complex systems and develop a strategic vision for application modernization .
• Provide Technical Leadership to guide teams through technical challenges and ensuring quality standards are met.
• Define and provide strategy for OCM and new operating model for the modernized estate and enable new service definition
Your skills and experiences
• 16+ years of experience with minimum of 10+ years of experience leading IT related "Cloud " projects of various size/scope.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience building solutions and products on cloud computing infrastructure (Azure, AWS, GCP and non hyperscaler products like Codeium, pool.ai etc.) to modernize mainframe infrastructure and applications
• 15+ years in Application Development and Modernization with Hyperscalers like Azure , AWS , GCP
• Proven record of accomplishment of solutioning and delivering large scale legacy application modernization and transformation deals with mainframe and/or iSeries platforms
• Deep understanding of various cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and nice to have experience in non hyperscalar enterprise cloud frameworks and their capabilities for application modernization .
• Proficiency in modern programming languages , frameworks, and design patterns relevant to cloud-native development.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, MicroFocus, Raincode, mLogica) for improved scalability and deployment.
#LI-PS1 #DI-CM1
The base compensation range for this role in the posted location is: $103,879 - $242,400
Capgemini provides compensation range information in accordance with applicable national, state, provincial, and local pay transparency laws. The base compensation range listed for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation Capgemini, in good faith, believes it may pay for the role at the time of this posting. This range may be subject to change as permitted by law.
The actual compensation offered to any candidate may fall outside of the posted range and will be determined based on multiple factors legally permitted in the applicable jurisdiction.
These may include, but are not limited to: Geographic location, Education and qualifications, Certifications and licenses, Relevant experience and skills, Seniority and performance, Market and business consideration, Internal pay equity.
It is not typical for candidates to be hired at or near the top of the posted compensation range.
In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for additional compensation such as variable incentives, bonuses, or commissions, depending on the position and applicable laws.
Capgemini offers a comprehensive, non-negotiable benefits package to all regular, full-time employees. In the U.S. and Canada, available benefits are determined by local policy and eligibility and may include:
  • Paid time off based on employee grade (A-F), defined by policy: Vacation: 12-25 days, depending on grade, Company paid holidays, Personal Days, Sick Leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage (or provincial healthcare coordination in Canada)
  • Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401(k) in the U.S., RRSP in Canada)
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Other benefits as provided by local policy and eligibility

Important Notice: Compensation (including bonuses, commissions, or other forms of incentive pay) is not considered earned, vested, or payable until it becomes due under the terms of applicable plans or agreements and is subject to Capgemini's discretion, consistent with applicable laws. The Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw compensation programs at any time, within the limits of applicable legislation.
Disclaimers
Capgemini is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging inclusion in the workplace. Capgemini also participates in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program which supports meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities across Canada by promoting fairness, accessibility, inclusion and respect. We value the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and actively work to create a welcoming and respectful environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
This is a general description of the Duties, Responsibilities and Qualifications required for this position. Physical, mental, sensory or environmental demands may be referenced in an attempt to communicate the manner in which this position traditionally is performed. Whenever necessary to provide individuals with disabilities an equal employment opportunity, Capgemini will consider reasonable accommodations that might involve varying job requirements and/or changing the way this job is performed, provided that such accommodation does not pose an undue hardship. Capgemini is committed to providing reasonable accommodation during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodation, please reach out to your recruiting contact.
Please be aware that Capgemini may capture your image (video or screenshot) during the interview process and that image may be used for verification, including during the hiring and onboarding process.
Click the following link for more information on your rights as an Applicant in the United States. http://www.capgemini.com/resources/equal-employment-opportunity-is-the-law
Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem.

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