Senior Mainframe Test Analyst

Cognizant; Toronto, Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Mainframe Test Analyst to ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of mission-critical Mainframe applications. You will join the Quality Engineering team and collaborate with business analysts, developers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions.

The role emphasizes testing across functional, SIT, E2E, UAT, and batch processes using COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, and VSAM. A hybrid work model with 3 days in a Toronto office is described.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software testing experience, including 5+ years focused on Mainframe testing.
• Strong hands-on Mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, TSO/ISPF, and File-AID.
• Experience performing Functional, SIT, Regression, E2E, UAT, Batch, Data Migration, and Data Validation testing.
• Experience with defect management/test management tools such as Jira, HP ALM, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive test strategies, test plans, test cases, and test scripts for Mainframe applications.
• Perform Functional, System Integration (SIT), End-to-End (E2E), Regression, User Acceptance (UAT), Batch, and Interface testing.
• Validate Mainframe batch processing, data workflows, and system integrations using COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, and VSAM.
• Analyze defects, perform root cause investigations, support defect triage activities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues.
• Support release validation, production verification, data migration testing, and quality reporting while mentoring team members.

Skills

Mainframe testing

Test planning

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Hybrid delivery experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

ISTQB certification

Tools

Jira

HP ALM

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Mainframe Test Analyst with Strong hands-on testing experience focused on Mainframe technologies. In this role, You will make an impact by ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of mission-critical Mainframe applications that support key business operations. You will be a valued member of the Quality Engineering team and work collaboratively with business analysts, developers, architects, product owners, and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality software solutions.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and execute comprehensive test strategies, test plans, test cases, and test scripts for Mainframe applications.
• Perform Functional, System Integration (SIT), End-to-End (E2E), Regression, User Acceptance (UAT), Batch, and Interface testing.
• Validate Mainframe batch processing, data workflows, and system integrations using technologies including COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, and VSAM.
• Analyze defects, perform root cause investigations, support defect triage activities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues.
• Support release validation, production verification, data migration testing, and quality reporting while contributing to testing best practices and mentoring team members.

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 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Toronto, Ontario. 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

• 7+ years of software testing experience, including 5+ years focused on Mainframe testing.
• Strong hands-on experience with Mainframe technologies including COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, TSO/ISPF, and File-AID.
• Experience performing Functional, SIT, Regression, E2E, UAT, Batch, Data Migration, and Data Validation testing.
• Proven ability to validate batch processing, perform data reconciliation activities, and execute SQL-based database validations.
• Experience using defect management and test management tools such as Jira, HP ALM, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, Pension, Retail, or Financial Services applications.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid delivery environments.

These will help you stand out

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• ISTQB or equivalent testing certification.
• Experience with IMS, Endevor, Changeman, Control-M, or comparable Mainframe tools.
• Experience supporting Mainframe modernization, cloud migration, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Exposure to test automation integration within Mainframe environments.
• Experience mentoring junior testers and driving testing best practices.

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.

Total compensation:

We regularly assess market data to ensure we offer a competitive compensation package for our associates. The base salary for this position ranges between CAD 60,000 - 90,000 per year. Where the successful candidate may fall within the range depends on relevant education, work and/or management experience and other business-related and job-necessary qualifications. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual performance-based bonus, as well as benefits that support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.