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Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Collaborate with segment and domain architects, engineers, and leadership to document the current ... Lead Application modernization initiatives including rearchitecting legacy mainframe, stand-alone ...

Collaborate with segment and domain architects, engineers, and leadership to document the current ... Lead Application modernization initiatives including rearchitecting legacy mainframe, stand-alone ...

... engineers, and leadership to document the current state architecture, value streams and domain ... legacy mainframe, stand-alone and web-based applications to value driven enterprise architecture ...

Collaborate with segment and domain architects, engineers, and leadership to document the current ... Lead Application modernization initiatives including rearchitecting legacy mainframe, stand-alone ...

Senior Mainframe Developer information

See Kentucky salary details

$33

$50

$57

How much do senior mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior mainframe developer in Kentucky is $50.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.97 and $54.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior mainframe developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Mainframe Developer, you need deep expertise in mainframe programming languages (like COBOL, JCL, and PL/I), systems analysis, and a strong understanding of legacy application architectures, typically supported by a degree in computer science or related experience. Familiarity with tools such as IBM z/OS, DB2, CICS, and version control systems is essential, along with relevant certifications like IBM Certified System Programmer. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills help you collaborate effectively and mentor junior developers. These skills are crucial for maintaining mission-critical systems, ensuring reliability, and guiding modernization efforts in complex enterprise environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior mainframe developers when integrating legacy systems with modern technologies?

Senior Mainframe Developers often encounter challenges when integrating legacy mainframe systems with newer technologies such as cloud platforms, APIs, or microservices. These challenges include ensuring data consistency, maintaining system security, and minimizing downtime during migrations. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as infrastructure engineers and application developers, is key to developing seamless integration solutions. Staying up-to-date with modernization tools and best practices can help address these complexities and support the organization's digital transformation goals.

What is a senior mainframe developer?

Senior Mainframe Developers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain mainframe systems—large-scale computers used by organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing, and enterprise resource planning. They are proficient in languages like COBOL, JCL, and Assembler, and often work with databases and transaction processing systems. Their responsibilities include troubleshooting system issues, optimizing performance, mentoring junior developers, and ensuring the reliability and security of mainframe operations.
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What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Senior Mainframe Developer jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Senior Mainframe Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Mainframe Developer job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,150 per year, or $50.1 per hour.

$125K/yr

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

  • Position(s) are to be filled in the following area(s):
    • IT - Mainframe Operations
  • Consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a location, that location will become your official post of duty.
REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Minimum requirements for Grade 12 and UP (GS or Equivalent): Applicants must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following nine competencies: 1) Attention to Detail, 2) Customer Service, 3) Decision Making, 4) Information Management, 5) Interpersonal Skills, 6) Oral Communication, 7) Problem Solving, 8)Team Work and 9) Technical Competence.
Specialized Experience GS-14 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

  • Leading or coordinating IT projects, application-related efforts, operational initiatives, or system-related activities that affect multiple users, teams, programs, or business processes.
  • Applying IT principles, concepts, methods, and practices to evaluate requirements; resolve technical issues; guide system, application, or code testing and configuration decisions; and ensure technical documentation and federal cybersecurity, privacy, or regulatory requirements are addressed.
  • Engaging customers, stakeholders, users, product or business owners, and technical teams to define business or technical requirements, communicate technical impacts, and guide delivery of secure, reliable, scalable IT solutions.
  • Evaluating system, service, or application performance, availability, reliability, security controls, usability, and operational effectiveness; identifying risks, issues, defects, or gaps; and leading corrective actions or improvement efforts.
  • Analyzing competing technical approaches and providing authoritative recommendations to management, stakeholders, or IT specialists on the selection, design, configuration, implementation, or improvement of IT solutions with organizational impact.
  • Led the planning, implementation, modernization, and maintenance of enterprise IBM mainframe environments, ensuring high availability, reliability, performance, and compliance with organizational and operational requirements.
  • Directed system upgrades, hardware refreshes, and infrastructure improvements to support mission-critical business operations and continuity of service.
  • Analyzed, diagnosed, and resolved complex issues involving IBM z/OS hardware, operating systems, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Provided expert technical guidance and recommendations to senior leadership, systems programmers, engineers, and technical staff on system performance, operational readiness, risk mitigation, and strategic technology initiatives.
  • Served as an IBM z/OS Systems Programmer responsible for the installation, configuration, and integration of mainframe hardware and storage peripherals.
  • Performed equipment planning, rack layout design, cabling coordination, power requirements analysis, and implementation activities to support enterprise computing operations.
  • Managed and maintained Input/Output Definition Files (IODFs) using Hardware Configuration Definition (HCD) and Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM), ensuring accurate hardware configuration, resource allocation, and system integrity across production and non-production environments.
  • Administered and configured Hardware Configuration Manager (HCM), Server Time Protocol (STP), cryptographic hardware, and Integrated Cryptographic Service Facility (ICSF) components to support secure, synchronized, and compliant enterprise mainframe operations.
  • Implemented and maintained Coupling Facilities and related Parallel Sysplex infrastructure, supporting high availability, workload balancing, data sharing, and enterprise resiliency.
  • Planned, installed, configured, tested, and supported IBM mainframe software products and system-level components.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional technical teams, project stakeholders, and vendor service personnel to plan, coordinate, and execute hardware and software installations, system upgrades, maintenance activities, and problem resolution efforts. Fostered productive working relationships to ensure timely project completion and operational excellence.

AND
You must also meet the following requirements

  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have:
    • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
    • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
    • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER