Mainframe Modernization Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Job Description Summary:

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Software Engineer with deep expertise in IBM IMS Transaction Manager (TM) and Database (DB) application programming to drive the evolution of our IMS compatible technologies within our Enterprise modernization platform. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years building, maintaining, or optimizing IMS based applications on the mainframe and now wants to bring that domain knowledge into next generation tooling, runtimes, and replatforming solutions.
As a senior software engineer, you will provide architectural leadership, guide design of IMS compatible features, and translate complex mainframe concepts into a robust, performant implementation for distributed and cloud-based environments.
This role sits at the heart of our mission to modernize long-established, missioncritical enterprise applications and to deliver stable, high-performance infrastructure relied on by global enterprises.

Architect & Build IMS TM/DB-Compatible Technologies

• Contribute to the design and development of key components that replicate or extend IMS TM and DB behaviors-including message handling, transaction scheduling, PSB/DBD structures, DL/I call compatibility, and hierarchical database semantics.
• Define and evolve architectural direction for our IMS replatforming runtime, ensuring parity with core IMS concepts where required and embracing modernization opportunities where beneficial.
• Translate IMS internals and application programming patterns into scalable, reliable components on distributed systems.

Apply Deep IMS Domain Expertise

• Model real-world IMS application scenarios (batch and online) within our modernization stack.
• Provide authoritative guidance on IMS constructs such as:
  • Message queues, scheduling, and transaction regions
  • DBD/PSB design and access paths
  • DL/I call flows, PCB handling, segment structure, and hierarchical locking
  • IMS batch processing interactions with TM and DB
• Partner with product and engineering leadership to ensure features meet enterprise-grade reliability and performance expectations.

Technical Leadership

• Contribute to cross-team engineering initiatives that impact compilers, runtimes, integration layers, and interoperability features.
• Mentor engineers across teams, helping them understand IMS fundamentals and how those concepts should surface in our implementation.
• Conduct deep technical reviews, troubleshoot complex runtime compatibility issues, and guide performance tuning strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Influence product roadmap decisions related to IMS replatforming, compatibility, and modernization.
• Engage with customers, field engineering, and support teams to understand realworld IMS workloads and migration scenarios.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 10+ years of professional software engineering, including seniorlevel ownership of complex system-level components.
• Direct hands-on experience developing or maintaining IMS TM and DB applications on IBM z/OS (essential).
• Deep knowledge of:
  • IMS message-driven architecture
  • Program specification blocks (PSBs), program communication blocks (PCBs), and DBD structures
  • DL/I calls and hierarchical database access
  • IMS transaction scheduling and message queue behavior
• Strong proficiency in C, C++, or similar systems languages.
• Experience delivering high-availability, mission-critical software systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background implementing or working with IMS exit routines, user exits, scheduling exits, or database utilities.
• Experience with mainframe modernization, replatforming, or emulation technologies.
• Familiarity with COBOL or PL/I application semantics and interactions with IMS environments.
• Exposure to modern distributed systems, cloud-native design, or hybrid runtime architectures (Azure, AWS, Kubernetes).
• Experience building compilers, runtimes, interpreters, or compatibility layers for legacy workloads.

Who You Are

• An experienced engineer with strong domain knowledge IMS application behavior and system fundamentals.
• Skilled at distilling mainframe concepts into modern software architecture.
• Motivated by the challenge of modernizing long-standing, mission-critical platforms.
• A mentor who raises the technical capabilities of the entire engineering organization.

Why Join Us?

• Influence the design and implementation of next-generation IMS TM/DB modernization technology.
• Work with a highly experienced engineering team deeply engaged in large-scale, mission-critical enterprise systems.
• Play a foundational role in how customers migrate decades of IMS investments to flexible, modern environments.
• A culture that values technical depth, long-term thinking, and system-level mastery.

#LI-JC1

#LI-Remote

Annual salary range for this position is between $120,500.00 - $162,675.00 gross before taxes..

What Rocket Software can offer you in USA:

• Unlimited Vacation Time as well as paid holidays and sick time
• Health and Wellness coverage options for Rocketeers and dependents
• Life and disability coverage
• Fidelity 401(k) and Roth Retirement Savings with matching contributions
• Monthly student debt benefit program
• Tuition Reimbursement and Certificate Reimbursement Program opportunities
• Leadership and skills training opportunities

EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Rocket Software Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Rocket Software Inc. is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

At Rocket Software, we believe AI is a critical enabler of innovation and productivity. All Rocketeers are expected to actively leverage AI-powered tools and technologies, where appropriate, to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and deliver greater impact in their roles. Embracing continuous learning and the responsible use of AI is an essential part of how we work.

Rocket is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please call: 781-577-4321 or send an email to people@rocketsoftware.com. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

As part of our commitment to a safe and trustworthy workplace, we include background and reference checks in our hiring process.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!