Mainframe Infrastructure Solution Architect

Cognizant; Chennai; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a seasoned Mainframe Infrastructure Solution Architect to guide presales cycles, designing end-to-end mainframe solutions for complex client environments. You will collaborate with sales, delivery, and clients' executives to articulate architecture, present demonstrations, and lead modernization initiatives across on-premise, cloud, and hybrid models.

The role requires deep technical expertise, strong communication skills, and the ability to travel as needed in a global

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field.
• 12+ years in technology with a strong focus on mainframe infrastructure.
• 5+ years hands-on experience with mainframe systems (COBOL, JCL, PL/I, Assembler, REXX, Natural, RPG).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of mainframe infrastructure solution frameworks for client proposals and bids.
• Presales & Client Engagement: engage with clients including C-level executives to demonstrate mainframe solutions.
• Mainframe Modernization & Innovation: guide re-hosting, refactoring, re-platforming, and rewriting initiatives.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: mentor teams and contribute to internal architecture practices.
• Costing & Risk Management: develop costed solution architectures and assess risks.

Skills

COBOL

JCL

PL/I

Assembler

REXX

Natural

RPG

DB2 for z/OS

IMS DB

VSAM

Adabas

CICS

IMS TM

z/OS

z/VM

zLinux

MQ

WebSphere

IBM Debug Tool for z/OS

Syncsort

SPUFI

ChangeMan

Endevor

CA-7/ESP/Control-M (Job Schedulers)

Zowe

OpenShift

Wazi

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

Tools

IBM Debug Tool for z/OS

Syncsort

SPUFI

ChangeMan

Endevor

CA-7/ESP/Control‑M (Job Schedulers)

Job description

Job Title: Mainframe Infrastructure Solution Architect - Presales

Location:

Bengaluru / Chennai / Gurgaon / Pune

Job Type:

Full-time

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Mainframe Infrastructure Architect to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role will be responsible for providing technical leadership and strategic guidance throughout the presales cycle, focusing on mainframe solutions and modernization initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical knowledge of mainframe environments, coupled with exceptional communication and presentation skills to articulate complex solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences, including C-level executives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Solution Design & Architecture:
• Lead the design and definition of overall mainframe infrastructure solutionframeworks for mainframe components within client proposals and bids.
• Analyze client requirements, existing IT landscapes, and business objectives to architect tailor‑made mainframe solutions, including on-premise, cloud, and hybrid models.
• Develop detailed architectural designs, high‑level designs, and associated documentation (e.g., application views, multiple sections & views, artefacts).
• Evaluate and recommend solutions to integrate mainframe systems with the broader technology ecosystem.
• Identify improvements, options, and tradeoffs to define target state solutions.
• Presales & Client Engagement:
• Act as the primary technical subject matter expert during the presales phase, supporting the sales team in all technical aspects.
• Engage directly with clients, including C‑level executives, technical decision‑makers, and business stakeholders, to understand their challenges and demonstrate how our mainframe solutions can address their needs.
• Develop and deliver compelling technical presentations, demonstrations, and proofs‑of‑concept (POCs).
• Collaborate with sales, program/project, and consulting teams to ensure proposed solutions align with client expectations and internal capabilities.
• Participate in the development of RFP/RFS responses, providing technical analysis, cost estimations, and architectural validation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Mainframe Modernization & Innovation:
• Provide technical and strategic input for mainframe modernization strategies, including re‑hosting, refactoring, re‑platforming, and rewriting initiatives.
• Guide customers in planning, evaluating, architecting, and re‑engineering legacy applications to leverage modern cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.).
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML for modernization), and best practices in mainframe and cloud landscapes.
• Contribute to the development of white papers, case studies, and thought leadership content related to mainframe solutions and modernization.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship:
• Provide technical leadership to design, development, and implementation teams for custom solutions.
• Mentor developers, designers, and junior architects, fostering their growth and enhancing their capabilities.
• Contribute to internal architecture practices by conducting interviews and sharing knowledge.
• Costing & Risk Management:
• Develop fully costed solution architectures and provide accurate cost estimates for mainframe solution implementation (such as MFaaS) and ongoing support.
• Identify implementation risks and potential impacts, proposing mitigation strategies.
• Validate solutions from a technology, cost structure, and customer differentiation perspective.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Typically 12+ years of experience in a technology environment, with a strong focus on mainframe infrastructure solutions
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands‑on technical experience with mainframe systems and technologies such as:
• Languages: COBOL, JCL, PL/I, Assembler, REXX, Natural, RPG.
• Databases: DB2 for z/OS, IMS DB, VSAM, Adabas.
• Transaction Managers: CICS, IMS TM.
• Operating Systems: z/OS, z/VM, zLinux.
• Middleware: MQ, WebSphere.
• Tools: IBM Debug Tool for z/OS, Syncsort, SPUFI, ChangeMan, Endevor, CA-7/ESP/Control‑M (Job Schedulers).
• Proven experience in designing and delivering complex mainframe solutions, including large‑scale migrations and modernizations.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and experience in architecting solutions for mainframe to cloud migration/integration and tools like Zowe, OpenShift, Wazi
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Proven presentation skills, comfortable presenting to large groups and executive levels.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer Engineering / relevant
• Experience with specific mainframe modernization tools and patterns (re‑architecture, rewrite, refactor, rehost).
• Familiarity with distributed client‑server architecture systems.
• Exposure to GenAI technologies (LLMs, NLP) for application modernization assessments or code transformation.
• Experience with ITILv3 or ITSM principles.
• IBM Mainframe administration certification

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.