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Mainframe Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Chicago, IL & Richardson, TX Experience: Expert Level Employment Type: Contract * Expert-level proficiency in Mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2 ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

12+ years of experience as a Mainframe Developer Required Skill Set : * COBOL * CICS * NATURAL AND ADABAS * CA7 needs to be advanced level - Someone who can develop Batch Automation Scripts from ...

Mainframe Developer

Hoffman Estates, IL · On-site

$48 - $61.75/hr

Mainframe Developer 100% onsite role (2-3 days onsite so it would be hybrid role) Location: Charlotte, NC/ Dallas, TX/ Hoffman Estates, IL Duration: 12 Months Technology Stack: CICS, Cobol, JCL, DB2 ...

Mainframe

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$48.25 - $62/hr

Skill Requirements - 1. Proficiency in mainframe cobol, db2, vsam, jcl, and mainframe cics programming languages. 2. Strong understanding of mainframe architecture and technologies. 3. Experience in ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Mainframe Developer (12+ YEARS) Location: Chicago, IL • Required Years of Experience: At least 12+ years of relevant experience • 12+ years of experience as a Mainframe Developer Required Skills ...

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Cards Mainframe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Chicago We are looking for an experienced Mainframe Developer with strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and Unix Shell Scripting. The ideal candidate will be ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mainframe Developer

Rosemont, IL · On-site

$49.25 - $63.50/hr

Mainframe Developer Location: Rosemont,IL Duration: Fulltime Mainframe-L2 (Mandatory) As a Lead, you are responsible for managing a small team of analysts, developers, testers or engineers and drive ...

Mindlance is a company seeking a Senior z/OS Systems Engineer to provide critical support for IBM ... Responsibilities : • Provides support for IBM mainframe hardware and software technologies • ...

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Mainframe Software Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$51

$70

How much do mainframe software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for mainframe software engineer in Illinois is $51.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $58.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mainframe Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mainframe Software Engineer, you need expertise in mainframe programming languages (such as COBOL, JCL, and PL/I), a solid understanding of operating systems like z/OS, and often a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with mainframe tools, database systems (like DB2), and version control software, as well as certifications such as IBM Certified System Programmer, are highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving skills help you excel in maintaining and optimizing complex legacy systems. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and modernization of critical enterprise applications that rely on mainframe environments.

What does a Mainframe Software Engineer do?

A Mainframe Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting software applications that run on mainframe computers. They work with languages such as COBOL, JCL, and Assembler, and often support critical business systems in industries like banking, insurance, and government. Their role may include modernizing legacy systems, ensuring data integrity, and optimizing system performance to meet organizational needs.

What are some common challenges Mainframe Software Engineers face when integrating legacy systems with modern technologies?

Mainframe Software Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating legacy systems with newer technologies, such as ensuring compatibility between different programming languages and data formats. They may also need to address security vulnerabilities in older codebases and maintain system reliability during transitions. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as cloud specialists and business analysts, is essential to develop seamless solutions that meet organizational needs while minimizing downtime.
What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Software Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Mainframe Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Mainframe Software Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Mainframe Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Mainframe Software Engineer job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,587 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Mainframe Developer

Purple Drive

Chicago, IL • On-site

$50.50 - $65/hr

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Overview:
Position: Mainframe Developer
Location: Chicago, IL & Richardson, TX
Experience: Expert Level
Employment Type: Contract
Job Description
  • Expert-level proficiency in Mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2, CICS, and IMS.
  • Strong hands-on experience with mainframe utilities and related tools.
  • Deep understanding of batch and online processing systems for enterprise-grade environments.
  • Familiarity with both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies.
  • Proven ability to design and optimize complex mainframe workflows and data structures.
  • Experience integrating mainframe systems with modern platforms and APIs.
  • Strong debugging and performance tuning skills to ensure reliability and efficiency.