1

Principal Mainframe Modernization Architect Jobs

Mainframe Modernization Lead

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$98K - $233K/yr

Experienced in defining the design and architecture for migrating / modernizing cloud-native ... modernization and transformation deals with mainframe and/or iSeries platforms * Deep understanding ...

Mainframe Modernization Lead

Irving, TX · On-site

$98K - $233K/yr

Experienced in defining the design and architecture for migrating / modernizing cloud-native ... modernization and transformation deals with mainframe and/or iSeries platforms * Deep understanding ...

Mainframe Modernization (GC--USC)

Plano, TX · On-site

$47 - $60.25/hr

At least 3+ years of experience in Mainframe Modernization Projects. * At least 3+ years of ... At least 3 years of experience in Design and architecture review. * Ability to work in team in ...

Experienced in defining the design and architecture for migrating / modernizing cloud-native ... modernization and transformation deals with mainframe and/or iSeries platforms * Deep understanding ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 16, 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:
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.
Principal Software Engineer - Mainframe Modernization & Cloud Platforms

Principal Software Engineer - Mainframe Modernization & Cloud Platforms

The Depository Trust Clearing

Jersey City, NJ • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Are you ready to make an impact at DTCC?
Do you want to work on innovative projects, collaborate with a dynamic and supportive team, and receive investment in your professional development? At DTCC, we are at the forefront of innovation in the financial markets. We are committed to helping our employees grow and succeed. We believe that you have the skills and drive to make a real impact. We foster a thriving internal community and are committed to creating a workplace that looks like the world that we serve.
The Information Technology group delivers secure, reliable technology solutions that enable DTCC to be the trusted infrastructure of the global capital markets. The team delivers high-quality information through activities that include development of essential, building infrastructure capabilities to meet client needs and implementing data standards and governance.

Pay and Benefits: 

  • Competitive compensation, including base pay and annual incentive
  • Comprehensive health and life insurance and well-being benefits, based on location
  • Pension / Retirement benefits
  • Paid Time Off and Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
  • DTCC offers a flexible/hybrid model of 3 days onsite and 2 days remote (onsite Tuesdays, Wednesdays and a third day unique to each team or employee).

The Impact You Will Have in This Role

The FinSight organization delivers critical technology platforms that support DTCC's risk management, treasury, and clearing operations. Within FinSight, the Collateral Fund Management (CFM) platform is foundational to DTCC's financial resilience, supporting internal treasury users and external clients in managing collateral funds used to absorb losses if a clearing participant defaults.

As a Principal Software Engineer / Assistant Director, you will provide technical, delivery, and operational leadership for the modernization of CFM batch and mainframe processing. You will lead the transformation of legacy COBOL and mainframecentric batch flows into modern, cloudbased, distributed solutions, while preserving business rules, financial controls, resiliency, and regulatory integrity.

This role is accountable for driving and derisking endtoend modernization delivery, strengthening architectural and design governance, and aligning CFM transformation initiatives with DTCC's broader enterprise modernization strategy. You will also mentor and guide technical and delivery teams across multiple modernization initiatives to ensure stable, compliant, and businesscritical outcomes.

Your Primary Responsibilities:

  • Lead the endtoend delivery of CFM batch and mainframe modernization initiatives
  • Drive the transformation of legacy COBOL and mainframecentric batch processing to modern, distributed, cloudbased solutions
  • Provide architectural and design governance to ensure solutions align with DTCC standards and longterm strategy
  • Strengthen transparency and observability across batch processing ecosystems
  • Coordinate crossfunctional execution across engineering, QA, infrastructure, architecture, and business teams
  • Ensure financial controls, regulatory compliance, risk management, and resiliency are embedded into all solutions
  • Mentor and guide technical and delivery teams, promoting high standards of engineering and execution
  • Derisk modernization delivery by identifying architectural, operational, and execution challenges early
  • Support businesscritical application delivery while reducing the overall mainframe footprint

Qualifications

  • Minimum 8+ years of related experience in enterprise software engineering, platform modernization, or largescale systems
  • Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent professional experience

Talent Needed for Success

  • Demonstrated experience delivering largescale, enterprisewide technology solutions in complex environments
  • Handson experience modernizing legacy or mainframe systems into cloudbased or distributed architectures
  • Proven ability to reduce dependency on legacy batch processing and simplify fragmented technology ecosystems
  • Strong architectural mindset with experience strengthening design and governance standards
  • Ability to improve transparency, monitoring, and observability across complex systems
  • Experience aligning modernization initiatives with broader enterprise technology strategy

Technical & Delivery Strengths

  • Strong working knowledge of Java and Spring Boot
  • Experience designing and operating microservicesbased, distributed batch architectures
  • Handson experience with AWS cloud platforms
  • Familiarity with Agile delivery practices; exposure to AIdriven development approaches is a plus

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and nontechnical stakeholders
  • Proven ability to mentor, guide, and influence teams across multiple disciplines
  • Comfortable operating with senior leadership and business stakeholders
  • Demonstrated conflictresolution and decisionmaking capabilities
  • Ability to learn quickly, operate through ambiguity and change, and help teams navigate transformation

The salary range is indicative for roles at the same level within DTCC across all US locations. Actual salary is determined based on the role, location, individual experience, skills, and other considerations. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

With over 50 years of experience, DTCC is the premier post-trade market infrastructure for the global financial services industry. From 20 locations around the world, DTCC, through its subsidiaries, automates, centralizes, and standardizes the processing of financial transactions, mitigating risk, increasing transparency, enhancing performance and driving efficiency for thousands of broker/dealers, custodian banks and asset managers. Industry owned and governed, the firm innovates purposefully, simplifying the complexities of clearing, settlement, asset servicing, transaction processing, trade reporting and data services across asset classes, bringing enhanced resilience and soundness to existing financial markets while advancing the digital asset ecosystem. In 2024, DTCC's subsidiaries processed securities transactions valued at U.S. $3.7 quadrillion and its depository subsidiary provided custody and asset servicing for securities issues from over 150 countries and territories valued at U.S. $99 trillion. DTCC's Global Trade Repository service, through locally registered, licensed, or approved trade repositories, processes more than 25 billion messages annually. To learn more, please visit us at www.dtcc.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

DTCC proudly supports Flexible Work Arrangements favoring openness and gives people freedom to do their jobs well, by encouraging diverse opinions and emphasizing teamwork.  When you join our team, you'll have an opportunity to make meaningful contributions at a company that is recognized as a thought leader in both the financial services and technology industries. A DTCC career is more than a good way to earn a living. It's the chance to make a difference at a company that's truly one of a kind.

Learn more about Clearance and Settlement by clicking here.

Serves as a dedicated technology resource for advancing DTCC's business opportunities and providing industry thought leadership for leveraging new technology. The goal of this new department is to partner internally with IT, our business and regulatory divisions and externally with clients, regulators, and fintech vendors, to help build new platforms and business models to advance DTCC's mission to support the financial markets.