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Senior Cobol Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cobol/IDMS Developer

Indianapolis, IN

$48 - $65/hr

CSCI Consulting is on the hunt for a Senior Developer with at least 5 years of experience to ... and COBOL * Creativity and adaptability in problem-solving * Ability to work with clients to ...

Cobol Consultant

Edison, NJ ยท On-site

$52 - $70.50/hr

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a Cobol Consultant Details: Sr. Application Analyst (Cobol) Location: Edison NJ - Onsite Duration: 12 months Ensures adherence to established standards and may ...

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Senior Cobol Developer information

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$42

$55

$73

How much do senior cobol developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior cobol developer in the United States is $55.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.76 and $61.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Cobol Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Cobol Developer, you need deep expertise in COBOL programming, legacy system integration, and experience with mainframe environments, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with IBM mainframe tools (such as z/OS, JCL, DB2), version control systems, and sometimes certifications like IBM Certified System Programmer are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing complex codebases and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the ongoing stability, modernization, and efficient maintenance of critical enterprise systems.

What are Senior COBOL Developers?

Senior COBOL Developers are experienced software engineers who specialize in developing, maintaining, and optimizing applications using the COBOL programming language. They typically work on legacy systems for industries such as banking, insurance, and government, where COBOL remains vital for large-scale transaction processing. In addition to coding, they are often responsible for system analysis, troubleshooting, mentoring junior developers, and ensuring the continued reliability and performance of mission-critical applications. Their expertise is essential for organizations seeking to modernize or integrate old COBOL systems with newer technologies.

What is the difference between Senior Cobol Developer vs Cobol Programmer?

AspectSenior Cobol DeveloperCobol Programmer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience, possibly certificationsTypically entry-level or less experience, basic knowledge
Work EnvironmentTeam projects, design, and architecture involvementCode writing, debugging, maintenance
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial, government, large enterprisesSame industries, often entry-level roles
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles, responsibilities, salaryEntry-level position details, skills required

The main difference between a Senior Cobol Developer and a Cobol Programmer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior Cobol Developers typically lead projects, design solutions, and mentor junior staff, while Cobol Programmers focus on coding and debugging tasks. Both roles are common in financial and government sectors, but the senior role requires more experience and a broader skill set.

How does a Senior Cobol Developer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a modern enterprise environment?

As a Senior Cobol Developer, you will often work closely with business analysts, quality assurance testers, and project managers to translate business requirements into robust mainframe solutions. Collaboration frequently involves participating in code reviews, coordinating integration with newer technologies, and providing technical guidance to junior developers. Effective communication is essential, as you'll need to explain legacy system constraints and propose modernization strategies that align with organizational goals. This cross-functional teamwork ensures that COBOL applications continue to meet evolving business needs while maintaining reliability.
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Infographic showing various Senior Cobol Developer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,457 per year, or $55.5 per hour.

Sr. COBOL /CICS/DB2 Developer with Security Clearance

BDR Solutions LLC

Lanham, MD โ€ข On-site

$49 - $63/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

About us: BDR Solutions, LLC, (BDR) supports the U.S. Federal Government in successfully achieving its mission and goals. Our service and solution delivery starts with understanding each client's end-state, and then seamlessly integrating within each Agency's organization to improve and enhance business and technical operations and deployments. (Military Veterans are highly encouraged to apply) Role Overview: BDR Solutions LLC is seeking a Senior COBOL/CICS/DB2 Developer to serve as a Key Personnel position on an IRS MFRA Branch task order. This individual will serve as the primary technical authority for mainframe COBOL and CICS development, providing Operations & Maintenance support for mission-critical IRS tax processing systems - including the Individual Master File (IMF) and Business Master File (BMF) - and implementing legislative changes mandated by Congress and Treasury (e.g., One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump Accounts, Inflation Reduction Act). The role requires deep, hands-on IBM mainframe expertise and the ability to work within IRS's structured lifecycle and toolchain environment (OneSDLC/ELC, Endevor, ServiceNow) from day one. Responsibilities: * Provide O&M support for MFRA Branch COBOL/CICS/DB2 applications - analyze, design, code, test, and deploy changes in accordance with IRS OneSDLC/ELC lifecycle requirements * Triage and resolve P1/P2 ServiceNow production incidents on COBOL/CICS systems; perform root cause analysis and document corrective actions * Implement Filing Season, Mid-Year, and Tax-Year legislative changes to IMF, BMF, and related MFRA applications within mandated delivery windows * Perform iSAT testing and FIT readiness activities; support FIT defect resolution and post-deployment validation * Analyze work requests; design and implement COBOL programming modifications to BMF entities and CICS programs using IBM Eclipse/RDz * Execute Endevor transmittal processes for all production promotions; maintain all source code in IBM ELM Suite before any transmittal * Apply expertise in CFOL command codes and Business Master File knowledge for research and impact analysis * Develop and maintain OneSDLC/ELC technical artifacts (SDP, SDSR, STP, COH, PRP); contribute to monthly progress reports * Transfer MFRA system knowledge to IRS staff through documentation, coaching, and team knowledge repositories * Participate in daily Agile standups, sprint planning, Change Control Board (CCB) sessions, and technical review meetings * Prepare and deliver technical briefings on complex mainframe issues to IRS management and non-technical stakeholders Required Minimum Qualifications: * 8+ years IBM COBOL development - COBOL syntax, structured programming, copybooks, VSAM, panels, skeleton PROCS * 8+ years CICS (Customer Information Control System) - transaction programming, BMS maps, CICS command-level programming * 8+ years DB2 - schema design, SQL, PL/SQL, stored procedures, performance tuning on mainframe DB2 * IBM Mainframe environment - JCL, AEV JCL, IBM File Manager, IBM Debugger, IBM Eclipse/RDz * IRS/Federal tax system knowledge - Business Master File (BMF), Individual Master File (IMF), CFOL command codes strongly preferred * PECP (Production Environment Control Process) Guidelines and Endevor transmittal process * ServiceNow - ticket management, P1/P2 incident triage and escalation * IBM ELM Suite (DOORS Next, Jira, IBM Engineering Test Management) * Agile/Scrum methodology - sprint participation, backlog grooming, sprint reviews * OneSDLC/ELC lifecycle compliance and artifact production * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a high-availability production environment Tools and Platforms: * IBM COBOL, CICS, DB2, JCL, AEV JCL * IBM File Manager, IBM Debugger, IBM Eclipse/RDz * Endevor (source code management and transmittal) * IBM ELM Suite - DOORS Next, IBM ETM, Jira * ServiceNow (incident and change management) * IBM Suite (mainframe toolchain) * PL/SQL Clearance Required: * Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) - ACTIVE
Nice to Have Qualifications: * Direct IRS or Treasury tax processing system experience (MFRA, BMF, IMF, RICS, WHCS, EMFOL, or similar) * Familiarity with RHEL 8.0 and Linux shell scripting for hybrid mainframe-Java environments * Experience with Assembly Language Coding (ALC) - cross-training with ALC developer * Experience with AD IMS (Automated Development Integrated Management System) * Agile certifications (CSM, SAFe) or IRS OneSDLC practitioner background In addition, U.S Citizenship is required. Select applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and be able to obtain a government-granted security clearance. Individuals may also be subject to a background investigation including, but not limited to criminal history, employment and education verification, drug testing, and creditworthiness. This position is contingent upon contract award. Employment is not guaranteed and will proceed only if the associated contract is awarded and funded. BDR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or genetic information.