AI-Led Mainframe Modernization Consultant

Cognizant; Hyderabad, Pune District, Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is hiring an AI-Led Mainframe Modernization Architect to drive end-to-end mainframe transformation engagements, combining deep legacy systems expertise with GenAI tooling to accelerate discovery, code conversion, and cloud migration.

Lead end-to-end modernization efforts, conduct AI-assisted assessments, and define roadmaps across Rehost, Refactor, Re-architect, Replatform, and Replace. Drive GenAI adoption, govern automated pipelines, and mentor distributed teams.

Qualifications

• 12+ years hands-on with Mainframe (COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2, CICS, IMS, Assembler).
• Proven experience as Technical Lead/Architect in large-scale modernization projects.
• Hands-on with AI-enabled modernization tools (GenAI tooling, LLM-based apps).
• Familiarity with modernization platforms (IBM z/OS Connect, AWS Mainframe Modernization, Micro Focus).
• Strong API/middleware, data migration, and system decomposition knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end mainframe modernization: discovery, inventory analysis, target-state design, migration, and stabilization.
• Conduct AI-assisted As-Is assessments of legacy environments (apps, infra, data, interfaces).
• Define modernization roadmaps across Rehost, Refactor, Re-architect, Replatform, Replace.
• Drive adoption of GenAI/LLM tools for code analysis, transformation, testing, and documentation.
• Build and govern automated code conversion pipelines (rule-based + LLM-based) with human-in-the-loop validation.
• Provide architectural governance, AI tool selection, and quality validation of AI-generated code.
• Mentor distributed consulting/engineering teams; contribute to accelerator and IP development.

Skills

Mainframe modernization

Technical leadership

Cobol/JCL/DB2/CICS

GenAI tooling

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Docker/Kubernetes

CI/CD & microservices

AI prompt engineering

Job description

Location: Pan India | Experience: 1218+ years | Notice Period: Immediate to 45 Days

About the Role:

We're hiring an AI-Led Mainframe Modernization Architect to drive end-to-end mainframe transformation engagements — combining deep legacy systems expertise with hands‑on application of GenAI tooling to accelerate discovery, code conversion, and cloud migration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end mainframe modernization: discovery, inventory analysis, target-state design, migration, and stabilization
• Conduct AI-assisted As-Is assessments of legacy environments (apps, infra, data, interfaces)
• Define modernization roadmaps across Rehost, Refactor, Re-architect, Replatform, Replace
• Drive adoption of GenAI/LLM tools (Claude, GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Azure OpenAI, Amazon Q) for code analysis, transformation, testing, and documentation
• Build and govern automated code conversion pipelines (rule-based + LLM-based) with human‑in‑the‑loop validation
• Provide architectural governance, AI tool selection, and quality validation of AI‑generated code
• Mentor distributed consulting/engineering teams; contribute to accelerator and IP development

Required Skills:

• 12+ years hands‑on with Mainframe (COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2, CICS, IMS, Assembler)
• Proven experience as Technical Lead/Architect in large‑scale end‑to‑end modernization projects
• Hands‑on with AI‑enabled modernization tools (GitHub Copilot, LLM‑based rule extraction, code translators, Inventory Analyzers)
• Familiarity with modernization platforms (Micro Focus, Heirloom, Raincode, IBM z/OS Connect, AWS Mainframe Modernization)
• Strong grasp of API enablement, middleware, data migration, system decomposition
• Working knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD, service mesh
• Proficiency in at least one cloud platform (AWS/Azure/GCP) and its AI/ML services
• Prompt engineering, LLM evaluation, and AI output/guardrail frameworks for code modernization
• Experience across domains: Insurance, BFSI, Healthcare, Retail

Preferred Certifications:

• Cloud Architect certification (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• GenAI/ML certification (AWS AI Practitioner, Azure AI Engineer, etc.)
• TOGAF or equivalent EA certification

Nice to Have:

• Experience fine‑tuning/prompt‑engineering LLMs for code translation or documentation
• Business rule extraction using LLM‑based discovery tools
• Prior contribution to building/scaling an AI‑enabled modernization accelerator