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Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs in Naperville, IL

Mainframe systems are at the heart of the digital economy, with 80% of the world's structured ... programming concepts, and source control. Key Responsibilities Content Creation and Management ...

... senior level client stakeholders • Strong leadership abilities to foster team performance and ... program management, DevOps practices • Drive end-to-end transformation of legacy mainframe ...

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Senior Mainframe Developer information

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$38

$57

$66

How much do senior mainframe developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior mainframe developer in Naperville, IL is $57.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.61 and $62.45 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.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Naperville, IL? For Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Naperville, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Naperville, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Mainframe Developer jobs in Naperville, IL are:
What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Senior Mainframe Developer jobs? Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Senior Mainframe Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Mainframe Developer job openings in Naperville, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,886 per year, or $57.2 per hour.

Senior z/OS Platform Engineer

McMaster-Carr

Chicago, IL • On-site

$235K - $310K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


McMaster-Carr rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 415 rated retail wholesalers


Job description

Who We Are
McMaster-Carr is a leading e-commerce company that industrial customers have trusted for over 120 years. Our products help them get manufacturing lines back up quickly, keep operations running smoothly, and prototype the next generation of innovative solutions. We earn and keep that trust by offering the right products, making them easy to find, and delivering them fast, so our customers can solve problems with greater speed, precision, and ease.
Our industry-leading e-commerce experience, indispensable product selection, and world-class service bring hundreds of thousands of customers to our site each day. But we're never standing still. Our curious, exceptional people are at the heart of our evolution. They turn new challenges and disruptive technologies into opportunities to refine our operations, expand our offering, and deliver a better experience for every customer.
How You'll Make An Impact
Our technology team builds the software that powers our e-commerce experience and our world-class operations. From customer-facing web features to distribution center automation, we design and scale critical systems that enable McMaster-Carr to deliver same-day or next-day orders reliably and efficiently. As a Senior z/OS Platform Engineer, you'll work on projects like:
  • Re-imagining our COBOL development lifecycle, incorporating VSCode, Zowe, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Designing and transitioning to a new data layout for critical subsystems to meet recovery time objectives.
  • Upgrading DB2 and other fundamental platform components with comprehensive assessment of dependencies and robust risk mitigation practices.
  • Detecting and analyzing trends in z operations to optimize resource use and development velocity.

What You'll Do
As a Senior z/OS Platform Engineer you will:
  • Perform a broad range of mainframe infrastructure tasks, including supporting CICS and Db2 subsystems, applying system maintenance, and replacing physical hardware.
  • Write code to enhance the availability, resiliency, and efficiency of mainframe software and systems that bring value to customers.
  • Leverage application, resource, and system data to drive down costs and support company goals and strategies.
  • Build technical knowledge through learning groups, book clubs, and one-on-one mentoring.

Who You Are
We're looking for curious, driven engineers who thrive in collaborative environments and love solving hard problems. Ideal candidates will have:
  • At least 3 years of experience with technologies such as z/OS, CICS, Db2, JCL, SMP/E, SMS/ACS, Networking, z/OSMF, and Zowe.
  • A thoughtful, analytical approach to problem-solving and technical design.
  • Clear, confident communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Interest in mentoring, coaching, and growing as a leader.

Cash Compensation
  • Total cash compensation is generally around $235,000 to $310,000 and includes a profit sharing based on company profitability.
  • You will also receive a relocation stipend and signing bonus.

Benefits
Growth & Learning
  • 100% tuition reimbursement
  • Informal and formal mentorship
  • Employee resource groups

Health & Wellbeing
  • Medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision plans with no monthly premiums
  • Inclusive, all-gender benefits

Family & Future
  • Paid parental leave for all new parents
  • Adoption and surrogacy assistance
  • First-time home buyer assistance
  • Industry-leading company-funded retirement accounts

Time Off
  • Paid vacation and personal time

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees a workplace with reasonable accommodations and free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. At McMaster-Carr, we do not make employment decisions based on age, ethnicity, citizenship status, military status, gender identity and expression, race, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected group.
This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship by McMaster-Carr.
Data We Collect
We may collect professional, education and employment-related data, and any assessments made throughout the recruiting process, to evaluate candidacy for employment. To communicate with job applicants, we may collect applicant names, contact information, and other personal identifiers, including those outlined in the California customer records statute. Through voluntary disclosure, we may also collect protected classifications under federal or California law (e.g., race, gender, etc.). For additional details about the personal information we collect and its uses, please click here.

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