Job Description

Mainframe · COBOL · IMS · DB2 · AWS · Go · Python

Level: Senior (8–12 years)

Senior Mainframe Developer – Legacy Platform & Modernization (COBOL, IMS, DB2, AWS, Go, Python)

Location: Hyderabad - hybrid

Experience: 8–12 years

Tech Stack: Mainframe (COBOL, IMS, DB2, JCL, VSAM, CICS), AWS, Go, Python, AI-Assisted Modernization

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Mainframe Developer with deep, hands-on expertise in COBOL, IMS, and DB2 to support and evolve our core mainframe platform. This role has two parts that carry equal weight: staying hands-on with the mainframe systems that run the business today, and building enough fluency in AWS, Go, and Python to identify and help shape realistic opportunities for modernization and transformation. You will be one of the primary people who understands how the current platform actually works, and you will use that understanding to help the organization move it forward.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, maintain, and support COBOL applications on IBM mainframe (z/OS), including both batch and online (CICS/IMS) programs
Work hands-on with IMS (DB/DC) and DB2 for mainframe data access, including IMS segment/database design, DB2 schema design, SQL, and performance tuning
Build and maintain deep functional and technical knowledge of the existing mainframe platform, including business logic embedded in legacy COBOL and JCL code
Support production mainframe systems: troubleshoot, debug, and resolve incidents across batch and online processing
Partner with architecture and platform teams to identify and assess realistic opportunities for mainframe modernization and transformation toward cloud-native architectures (AWS, Go, Python)
Contribute to modernization initiatives such as code and data migration, re-platforming, and API-enablement of legacy mainframe functionality
Build proof-of-concepts and prototypes in Go and/or Python to validate modernization approaches for specific mainframe components
Document current-state mainframe architecture, data flows, and business rules to support transformation roadmaps
Collaborate with architects, data engineers, and DevOps teams on hybrid mainframe-to-cloud integration patterns
Follow appropriate change management, testing, and compliance practices given the criticality of the systems involved
Mentor junior mainframe developers and share modernization and transformation best practices

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
8–12 years of hands-on mainframe development experience, with deep, current expertise in COBOL
Strong, hands-on experience with IMS (DB/DC) for hierarchical database design and transaction processing
Strong, hands-on experience with DB2 for z/OS, including SQL, schema design, and performance tuning
Experience with JCL, VSAM, CICS, and standard mainframe batch/online processing patterns
Working knowledge of core AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM) sufficient to participate credibly in modernization and transformation discussions
Working proficiency in Go and/or Python, particularly for prototyping modernization approaches and building supporting tooling
Demonstrated ability to read, reverse-engineer, and clearly document complex legacy COBOL/JCL business logic
Strong analytical skills to assess mainframe components for transformation feasibility, risk, and complexity
Experience with mainframe change management and version control tools (e.g., Endevor, ChangeMan) and mainframe testing practices
Strong debugging and production-support skills for mission-critical mainframe systems
Excellent communication skills to bridge legacy mainframe teams and modern cloud/engineering teams

AI Knowledge & AI-Assisted Development (Required)

Practical use of AI coding/assistant tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar) to accelerate legacy code comprehension, COBOL/JCL analysis, and documentation of business rules embedded in mainframe code
Able to use AI tools to help identify and scope mainframe modernization and transformation opportunities, such as summarizing program logic, mapping dependencies, and drafting candidate migration approaches
Able to critically review and validate AI-generated code, documentation, and analysis for correctness before relying on it in production systems or transformation decisions
Understanding of secure and compliant AI tool usage, including never entering PHI, member data, or other sensitive information from mainframe systems into prompts or external AI tools
Able to identify where AI-driven automation can improve modernization velocity, such as assisted code translation or test-case generation for legacy validation, and champion adoption within the team

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the US health insurance or payer domain, particularly mainframe-based claims processing, eligibility, or core administration systems
Exposure to healthcare data standards (X12 EDI, HL7, FHIR)
Prior experience on mainframe-to-cloud modernization or re-platforming initiatives
Experience with mainframe-to-cloud integration or modernization tooling (e.g., AWS Mainframe Modernization, IBM Z and Cloud Modernization Stack, or similar)
Familiarity with additional mainframe tools such as File-AID, Abend-AID, or similar
Relevant certifications: IBM mainframe certifications, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect