1

Mainframes Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About the Role Are you a seasoned Mainframe Specialist with deep, hands-on command of COBOL, JCL ... Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ...

Mainframe CICS Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

$50.50 - $65/hr

The Mainframe CICS Systems Programmer/Engineer is responsible for all phases of CICS engineering, system and software maintenance, and CICS related operational functions. The candidate must be ...

Mainframe System Security Engineer Worker Type: Employee Responsibilities * Create, modify and maintain security access on internal and external userids and security rules for mainframe systems.

Employee The primary role of the Mainframe System Security Engineer is to create, modify and maintain security access on internal and external userids and security rules access for mainframe systems.

z/OS Connect API Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$73K - $174K/yr

DB2 * RACF Development & DevOps * GitHub * CI/CD Pipelines * Git-based Version Control * Gradle Build Automation Additional Competencies * API Design and Development Best Practices * Mainframe ...

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

Technical Skills (APPS)-Mainframe-Language-Mainframe - COBOL Job : Technical Lead Other Requirement ... Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM Unix Shell scripting is ...

CICS/MQ Systems Programmer

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$56.75 - $72/hr

CICS /MQ MAINFRAME SYSTEMS PROGRAMMER CICS ~~ MQ ~~ Z/OS MAINFRAME SYSTEMS ~~ SMP/E ~~ JES 2 ~~ CICSPLEX ~~ INFRASTRUCTURE REMOTE !!~~ REMOTE!! ~~~~FULL TIME WITH BENEFITS/ANNUAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY~

Cobol Developer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$90 - $119/hr

Dearborn, MI Job SummaryWe are seeking an experienced Mainframe/COBOL Developer to support a critical legacy insurance platform (CPS) and assist with data preparation activities for migration to ...

Cobol Developer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

Analyze and process mainframe flat files and COBOL copybooks, including complex redefined ... engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data ...

Mainframe Development

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$50.50 - $65/hr

Customer 1 with Mainframe Development Remote :: * Hands on experience (# C/1 skill) -SME * Domain: CSS supplier services (#2 skill) * Get requirements from customer, Get description done based on ...

New

Knowledge in at least two additional areas of technical disciplines is a strong plus: mainframe security, system programming, parallel sysplex, network, storage, High Availability, Performance and ...

Analyze and process mainframe flat files and COBOL copybooks, including complex redefined ... engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data ...

Mainframe Development

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$50.50 - $65/hr

Customer 1 with Mainframe Development Remote :: * Hands on experience (# C/1 skill) -SME * Domain: CSS supplier services (#2 skill) * Get requirements from customer, Get description done based on ...

New

Showing results 21-40

Mainframes Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$49.4K

$115.2K

$171K

How much do mainframes developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for mainframes developer in Chicago, IL is $115,217.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,700.00 and $133,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mainframes Developer vs Mainframes Analyst?

AspectMainframes DeveloperMainframes Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in Computer Science or related field; certifications like IBM Certified SpecialistSimilar credentials; often holds certifications in mainframe systems and analysis
Work EnvironmentDevelops, codes, and tests mainframe applications in a software development settingAnalyzes existing mainframe systems, gathers requirements, and supports system improvements
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by banks, insurance companies, and large enterprises for application developmentEmployed in similar industries for system analysis, troubleshooting, and process optimization

While both roles require knowledge of mainframe systems and similar credentials, Mainframes Developers focus on creating and maintaining mainframe applications, whereas Mainframes Analysts analyze existing systems to improve performance and efficiency. Both roles are vital in large enterprise IT environments.

Is a mainframes developer a good career?

A mainframes developer is a specialized IT professional who maintains and develops applications on mainframe systems, which are used by large organizations for critical data processing. The role offers stable employment, competitive salaries, and opportunities to work with legacy systems and mainframe programming languages like COBOL. However, it requires specific skills and certifications, and the field may have limited growth compared to emerging technologies.

Is a mainframes developer still in demand?

Mainframes developers are still in demand in industries such as finance, government, and healthcare that rely on legacy systems. They typically work with COBOL, JCL, and mainframe environments, and demand persists due to the ongoing need to maintain and upgrade existing mainframe applications. However, the number of new positions is limited compared to emerging technologies, and skills in mainframe modernization are increasingly valued.

What does a mainframes developer do?

A mainframes developer designs, codes, tests, and maintains applications running on mainframe computers, often using languages like COBOL, PL/I, or Assembler. They ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of large-scale enterprise systems, frequently working with legacy code and mainframe-specific tools in a structured environment.

What job categories do people searching Mainframes Developer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Mainframes Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Mainframes Developer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Mainframes Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mainframes Developer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,217 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

L2 Application Support Engineer - Mainframe

Saransh Inc

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Job title: L2 Application Support Engineer - Mainframe
Location: Chicago, IL
Contract
 
Candidate should be in client office 3 days a week and with an option to extend all 5 days a week at client discretion.
 
Skill Metrics:
DB2
Cobol
VSAM
JCL
Mainframe Systems

Job Description:
  • The role is an IT Support Analyst responsible for L2 production support for Fund Accounting and US Transfer Agency applications.
  • The position requires strong mainframe skills (JCL, COBOL, DB2, VSAM) and the ability to troubleshoot issues across multiple technologies.
  • The analyst will work closely with global teams, business partners, and upstream/downstream systems, handling incident management, root-cause analysis, and on-call support.
  • The job requires 8–10+ years of technical experience in a financial environment, strong communication skills, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.
  • The role is Chicago-based, with at least 3 days per week onsite and occasional night/weekend support.

Mandatory skills:
Mainframe skills (COBOL,JCL,DB2,VSAM), Troubleshooting Analytical
Experience required: 8-10 years