Mainframe Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

The job description of a mainframe application developer is to sustain the central data processing system, or mainframe. Common duties include designing applications, analyzing data, running reports, and deploying mainframe applications. This job requires a great deal of collaboration to keep the mainframe going and a strong understanding of mainframe languages. A key part of this role is to align the design of the mainframe with changing business needs.

Mainframes are large central computers or systems that enable multiple users across organizations, such as corporations, government agencies, or schools, to access the same network. Individuals in mainframe jobs ensure that this can happen without the system crashing or failing. Mainframe jobs support, troubleshoot, and maintain central data processing systems. Application developer, system administrator, and computer programmer are examples of mainframe jobs. Individuals in mainframe jobs provide application support, run tests, and write code to ensure that mainframes operate efficiently.

Programming languages are used to send commands to a mainframe. Common business-oriented language, or COBOL, is a popular mainframe language often used to complete administrative work. According to the IBM website, C++, C, SQL, Java, Assembler, L/I, C, REXX, JCL, and CLIST are also common mainframe languages. Each of these languages is designed to help application developers communicate with the mainframe. These languages also enable deployment of mainframe applications.

The mainframe development environment is designed to support distributed use and delivery of applications. This environment is often used to achieve bulk data processing without the glitches and errors of a standard environment. Navigation and use of the mainframe development environment requires extensive knowledge of mainframe applications. Learning common mainframe languages helps developers to communicate with systems in the mainframe development environment.