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Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ... Collaborate with senior leadership to secure executive sponsorship and organizational buy-in for ...

Mainframe Specialist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

Partner with cross-functional teams-architects, developers, QA, and business analysts-to gather ... Collaborate with senior leadership to secure executive sponsorship and organizational buy-in for ...

Senior CA-Gen Developer

Madison, WI · On-site

$55 - $72.50/hr

Senior CA-Gen Developer Onsite in Madison, WI 12+ month Video Interview Need local to Wisconsin ... a mainframe DB2 client-server environment * Ability to independently perform a variety of ...

Sr. Java Developer

Madison, WI

$57.75 - $73.50/hr

Experience building and deploying large scale Java web applications Conceptual knowledge of information technologies and methodologies in mainframe, midrange, Web and PC computing environments ...

Senior Software Engineer

Wausau, WI · Remote

$91K - $163K/yr

Solid understanding of software engineering processes: Design patterns, algorithms, data structures ... Required Qualifications: * 5 years of experience in Mainframe technologies (FSE) * 5 years of ...

Senior Software Engineer

Wausau, WI · On-site

$91K - $163K/yr

Solid understanding of software engineering processes: Design patterns, algorithms, data structures ... Required Qualifications: * 5+ years of experience in Mainframe technologies (FSE) * 5+ years of ...

Demonstrated ability to adapt to different mainframe/client environments and mainframe tool sets. Bonus if you have: * Minimum of 10 years experience working on FIS Systematics applications with ...

Senior Software Engineer (Hogan API)

Brookfield, WI · On-site

$116K - $152K/yr

Hands on Mainframe development experience with Hogan COBOL, JCL, CICS, Json and Splunk, IMS Database, Gitlab, IDz/RDz (IBM Developer for zOS), Jira * Strong experience with Application maintenance ...

BUYER/PLANNER

Richland Center, WI

$59K - $81K/yr

You will coordinate purchasing activities with manufacturing and engineering departments to acquire ... Review, analyzes and resolves expectations and error reports from mainframe planning and buying ...

Senior Mainframe Developer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$38

$58

$67

How much do senior mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior mainframe developer in Wisconsin is $58.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.62 and $63.56 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 are Senior Mainframe Developers?

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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin? For Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Senior Mainframe Developer jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Senior Mainframe Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Mainframe Developer job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,038 per year, or $58.2 per hour.
Senior Mainframe

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Cognizant rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 58 rated business consultants


Job description

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About the role
As a Mainframe Engineering , you will make an impact by leading the delivery, modernization, and optimization of enterprise-scale mainframe applications that support critical card and payment processing platforms. You will be a valued member of the Engineering leadership team and work collaboratively with product owners, architects, business stakeholders, infrastructure teams, and engineering partners to deliver resilient, scalable, and high-performing solutions.
In this role, you will:
  • Lead the end-to-end delivery of complex mainframe solutions using COBOL, JCL, and DB2, ensuring quality, reliability, and timely execution of business priorities.
  • Guide solution architecture and technical design for high-volume transactional and batch workloads, driving performance, scalability, and maintainability.
  • Partner with product owners, business analysts, architects, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions while minimizing delivery risk.
  • Drive engineering excellence through code reviews, development standards, testing practices, performance optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Manage, mentor, and develop engineering teams in a hybrid work environment, fostering collaboration, accountability, and technical growth.
Work model
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring attendance in a client or Cognizant office as determined by project and business needs. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
What you need to have to be considered
  • Extensive experience designing, developing, and supporting enterprise mainframe applications using COBOL, JCL, and DB2 in large-scale production environments.
  • Strong expertise in DB2 database design, SQL optimization, performance tuning, and troubleshooting across transactional and batch processing systems.
  • Proven experience leading engineering teams, managing delivery plans, coordinating dependencies, and driving stakeholder alignment across complex initiatives.
  • Hands-on experience supporting cards and payments platforms, including transaction processing, authorization, clearing, settlement, or related payment flows.
  • Strong understanding of application performance optimization, production support, incident management, and root-cause analysis in mission-critical environments.
  • Experience establishing development standards, code review practices, testing strategies, and quality controls for mainframe engineering teams.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience working within regulated environments with knowledge of security, compliance, risk, and audit requirements.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
These will help you stand out
  • Experience modernizing or refactoring legacy COBOL and JCL applications.
  • Knowledge of mainframe integration patterns supporting enterprise payment ecosystems and distributed platforms.
  • Experience improving deployment automation, job scheduling, release management, and operational efficiency across mainframe environments.
  • Familiarity with engineering metrics, including cycle time, defect leakage, environment stability, and operational performance indicators.
  • Experience implementing reusable frameworks, automation, and continuous improvement programs within mainframe delivery organizations.
  • IBM certifications, including IBM Certified Application Developer (CICS), IBM DB2 certifications, or equivalent mainframe engineering credentials.

Benefits:
Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
  • Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance.
  • Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off.
  • 401(k) plan and contributions.
  • Long-term/Short-term Disability.
  • Paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.

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