ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect Jobs

MDAEdge

Principal Mainframe Architect

Tampa, FL · On-site

MDAEdge is a company seeking a Principal Mainframe Architect who is a highly skilled IT professiona ... driving modernization initiatives. Responsibilities : • Highly skilled IT professional ...

Tech Tammina

Mainframe Modernization Consultant

Mainframe Modernization Consultant Remote Contract role Summary Support modernization initiatives ... with architects and delivery teams for smooth transition. • Prepare technical documentation ...

United Airlines

ND · On-site

$82K - $193K/yr

Application modernization * Data migration * Automation & DevOps Key Responsibilities Architecture & Strategy * Define and lead target-state architectures for migrating legacy mainframe systems to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Mainframe Modernization Architect Jobs

Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect information

See salary details

$10

$60

$77

How much do principal mainframe modernization architect jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for principal mainframe modernization architect in the United States is $60.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59.38 and $68.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Principal Mainframe Modernization Architects face during legacy system transformation projects?

Principal Mainframe Modernization Architects often encounter challenges such as aligning modernization strategies with business goals, managing dependencies between legacy and new systems, and ensuring minimal disruption to mission-critical operations. Navigating complex, undocumented codebases and integrating modern technologies with existing infrastructure can also be demanding. Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams—including developers, business analysts, and stakeholders—are essential to address these challenges and deliver successful modernization outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect, you need deep expertise in legacy mainframe systems, cloud architectures, and software engineering, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as COBOL, JCL, modernization platforms (e.g., AWS Mainframe Modernization, Azure), and certifications in cloud or enterprise architecture are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help drive cross-functional teams and manage complex transformation projects. These skills and qualities are essential to successfully plan, lead, and execute critical modernization initiatives that ensure business continuity and technological advancement.

What is the difference between Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect vs Mainframe Systems Analyst?

AspectPrincipal Mainframe Modernization ArchitectMainframe Systems Analyst
Primary FocusDesigning and leading mainframe modernization strategiesAnalyzing and supporting existing mainframe systems
ResponsibilitiesArchitecting modernization solutions, overseeing implementationSystem analysis, troubleshooting, and maintenance
Required SkillsMainframe architecture, modernization tools, project leadershipMainframe operations, scripting, system analysis
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in IT modernization projectsOperational support within mainframe teams

The Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect focuses on designing and leading mainframe modernization initiatives, while the Mainframe Systems Analyst primarily analyzes and maintains existing mainframe systems. The architect role involves strategic planning and leadership, whereas the analyst role emphasizes operational support and troubleshooting.

What is a Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect?

A Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect is a senior-level IT professional who leads the planning, design, and implementation of projects that update and transform legacy mainframe systems. Their role involves analyzing existing mainframe environments, developing strategies to migrate or modernize applications and data, and ensuring that new architectures align with business goals and modern technologies like cloud computing. They collaborate with stakeholders, manage technical teams, and guide organizations through the complex process of mainframe modernization to enhance scalability, security, and efficiency.
More about Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs? The most popular types of Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs are:
Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,263 per year, or $60.2 per hour.

Senior Mainframe Modernization Architect

Capgemini America, Inc.

Atlanta, GA • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

CAPGEMINI INC.
Location
This is onsite role based in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX and New York, NY
About the job you're considering
Capgemini is hiring a Senior Mainframe Modernization Architect to lead large-scale mainframe-to-Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform) transformation programs. The architect will serve as both a strategic advisor to executive stakeholders and a hands-on technical leader driving migration, modernization, integration, automation, and cloud adoption initiatives.
Your role
Define and lead target-state architectures for modernizing legacy mainframe environments into hybrid or cloud-native Google Cloud Platform platforms.
Design scalable, resilient, and secure solutions integrating mainframe systems with Google Cloud Platform services.
Develop and execute dual-run/parallel testing strategies to validate migrated workloads, ensuring data consistency, transaction parity, and performance.
Design event-driven, API-based, and hybrid integration architectures between mainframe and cloud-native systems.
Drive DevOps, CI/CD, automation, monitoring, and platform engineering best practices.
Build data and telemetry solutions using Pub/Sub, BigQuery, Cloud Storage, and GKE for migration validation and analytics.
Define Google Cloud Platform landing zones, security models, IAM, networking, governance, HA/DR, and non-functional requirements (availability, scalability, resilience, security, and cost optimization).
Ensure compliance, security, encryption, auditability, and access control across migrated environments.
Collaborate with business, engineering, infrastructure, and security teams to drive modernization initiatives and resolve architecture dependencies.
Your skills and experience
12+ years experience in enterprise application and platform architecture.
6+ years of hands-on experience in mainframe modernization or legacy transformation.
Proven success leading enterprise-scale mainframe-to-cloud migration programs.
Deep mainframe knowledge including z/OS, COBOL, PL/I, JCL, CICS, IMS, DB2, and VSAM.
Strong experience in mainframe modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
Demonstrate strong expertise in Google Cloud Platform architecture and services including GKE, Pub/Sub, BigQuery, Cloud Storage, IAM, and networking.
Possess a solid understanding of event-driven architectures, APIs, and hybrid cloud integration patterns.
Drive DevOps, CI/CD, automation, observability, and platform engineering best practices.
Define enterprise security, governance, compliance, encryption, and access management frameworks.
Experience designing highly available, resilient, scalable, and secure enterprise solutions.
Lead migration validation activities including dual-run testing, reconciliation, performance benchmarking, and production cutover planning.
Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to define modernization roadmaps and target-state architectures.
Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex modernization and transformation challenges.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience in large-scale cloud transformation programs is preferred and considered a strong advantage.
#LI-SD1

Apply