Mainframe Architect

JR United Kingdom; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a skilled Mainframe Architect to design and modernize crucial mainframe solutions for high-profile clients. This pivotal role includes responsibilities such as optimizing database performance and leading modernization initiatives, while requiring in-depth technical expertise and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in mainframe architecture and database technologies.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS, JCL, COBOL, SQL, and Natural.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems and implement best practices.

Responsibilities

• Define, design, and implement high-performance, scalable mainframe database solutions.
• Lead modernization initiatives integrating mainframe databases into hybrid cloud environments.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.

Skills

Mainframe architecture

Database technologies

Performance tuning

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Advanced certification in mainframe and cloud technologies

Tools

IBM DB2

z/OS

COBOL

Job description

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Salary: Upwards from £120,000 per annum + performance-related bonus

Location: London-based (hybrid), with flexibility for occasional travel to client sites.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe Architect to lead the design, implementation, and modernisation of mission-critical mainframe solutions for high-profile clients. This role is pivotal in bridging business requirements with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless integration, scalability, and performance across complex enterprise environments.

As a Mainframe Architect, you will be responsible for crafting tailored mainframe database architectures, working closely with stakeholders to define solutions that align with both client needs and industry best practices. You will oversee the technical execution of projects from inception to delivery, ensuring efficiency, security, and performance optimization. This is a strategic leadership role that requires both deep technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, design, and implement high-performance, scalable mainframe database solutions.
• Lead modernization initiatives, integrating mainframe databases into hybrid cloud environments.
• Collaborate with clients, governance teams, delivery teams, and external vendors to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Optimize database performance, capacity management, tuning, and high availability strategies.
• Develop and present technical roadmaps, demonstrating the value of database modernization efforts.
• Ensure security compliance and best practices for enterprise-level mainframe environments.

Required Experience

• Proven experience in mainframe architecture and database technologies.
• Deep expertise in one or more mainframe database systems, including IBM DB2, IMS Database, Cincom Supra, Software AG Adabas, or Broadcom Datacom.
• Strong knowledge of z/OS, JCL, JES, RACF/ACF2, CICS, COBOL, PL/1, SQL, and Natural.
• Proven experience in database performance tuning, high availability strategies, and capacity management.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems, propose solutions, and implement best practices.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to convey technical insights to diverse audiences.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of hybrid cloud architectures and database modernization techniques.
• Advanced certifications in mainframe and cloud technologies.
• Experience in Agile methodologies (Kanban, SAFe, Scrum).
• Understanding of enterprise-level IT architectures and best practices.

If you are a Mainframe Architect with a consulting mindset and leadership ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.