Principal COBOL Developer

Whizdom; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Whizdom is seeking a Principal COBOL Developer to lead high-performing, customer-centric, and secure mainframe solutions. You will guide architecture, design, and delivery, collaborating with stakeholders across the organization.

You will oversee software construction, ensure quality standards, and mentor teams while driving maintenance, security, and performance improvements across key projects.

Qualifications

• 1. SFIA Level 6 competency in programming/software development.
• 2. SFIA Level 6 proficiency in software design.
• 3. SFIA Level 6 expertise in systems development management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of software and technical design.
• Implement strategy to ensure high quality code and long-term maintenance of a product's code base.
• Provide expert technical advice on software development and maintenance.
• Oversee release and ensure go-live production support and maintenance for the team’s developments.
• Drive analysis, design, development, prototyping, unit testing and maintenance activities.
• Suggest proposed solutions and undertake high-level impact analysis of technical requirements to support project evaluation.
• Ensure compliance with endorsed software development methodologies.
• Encourage a positive risk management culture.
• Oversee development and delivery of projects within the assigned area of responsibility.

Skills

CICS

COBOL

DB2

SQL

JCL

VSAM

Endevor

TSO

ISPF

High performance, secure apps

Education

SFIA Level 6

Tools

CICS

COBOL

DB2

SQL

JCL

VSAM

Endevor

TSO

ISPF

Job description

Seeking a Principal COBOL Developer with experience building high performing customer centric and secure applications

Senior Development Experts:

• inspire flexible, quality modern customer service
• operate with a high level of autonomy and work under the broad guidance of senior staff
• make ethical, evidence-based decisions using sound judgement
• develop and manage strategic relationships with stakeholders.
• be able to quickly learn and identify key components of supported applications.
• take a lead role in the high-level design of mainframe solutions.

Key duties and responsibilities

• oversee the development of software and technical design
• implement strategy to ensure high quality code and long-term maintenance of a product's code base
• provide expert technical advice on software development and maintenance
• oversee the release and ensure go-live production support and maintenance for the team’s developments
• drive analysis, design, development, prototyping, unit testing and maintenance activities
• suggest proposed solutions and undertake high-level impact analysis of technical requirements, to support project evaluation
• ensure compliance with endorsed software development methodologies
• encourage a positive risk management culture
• oversee the development and delivery of projects within the assigned area of responsibility

Excellent knowledge and understanding of:

• development systems and tools
• current practices and issues in development
• the agency's strategic outlook and direction
• relevant frameworks, legislation, policies, and procedures
• programs and services administered by the agency relevant to work area
• the agency’s privacy, workplace health and safety and security protocols

Technical skills

• Proficiency in CICS, COBOL, DB2, SQL, JCL, VSAM, Endevor, TSO, ISPF
• Building high performing customer centric and secure applications

Essential criteria

• 1.Programming/software development: Level 6 (SFIA)

Develops organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for software construction and refactoring. Plans and leads software construction activities for strategic, large and complex development projects. Adapts or develops new methods and organisational capabilities and drives adoption of, and adherence to policies and standards.

• 2.Software design: Level 6 (SFIA)

Leads the selection and development of software design methods, tools and techniques. Develops organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for software design and software architectures. Ensures adherence to technical strategies and systems architectures (including security).

Specialist advice: Level 6 (SFIA) Provides organisational leadership and guidelines to promote the development and exploitation of specialist knowledge in the organisation. Maintains a network of recognised experts (inside and/or outside the organisation) who can deliver expert advice in relevant areas. Provides input into professional development planning across a significant part of the organisation to further the development of appropriate expertise.

Systems development management: Level 6 (SFIA) Sets policy and drives adherence to standards for systems development. Leads activities to make security and privacy integral to systems development. Identifies and manages the resources necessary for all stages of systems development projects. Ensures that technical, financial and quality targets are met.

Desirable criteria

• 1.Business process improvement: Level 5 (SFIA)

Manages the execution of business process improvements. Analyses and designs business processes to identify alternative solutions to improve efficiency, effectiveness and exploit new technologies and automation. Develops graphical models of business processes to facilitate understanding and decision-making. Assesses the feasibility of business process changes and recommends alternative approaches. Selects, tailors and implements methods and tools for improving business processes at programme, project or team level. Contributes to the definition of organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for business process improvement.

Contract

12 Months Contractwith 2 x 12 months extension option

Security Required

Must be able to obtain Baseline, Baseline Preferred

Location

QLD, ACT, VIC, NSW, SAand Hybrid

Closing date

Tuesday 3 November 2026