Senior Mainframe Developer

Simplify Alpha™; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Simplify Alpha™ is seeking a Senior Mainframe Developer to maintain COBOL on IBM mainframe (z/OS) and drive modernization toward AWS, Go, and Python. You will design, optimize, and support batch and online systems while mentoring junior developers and collaborating with architecture and DevOps teams.

You will build prototypes in Go/Python to validate modernization approaches and document current architecture, data flows, and business rules for transformation roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent
• 8–12 years of hands-on mainframe development experience with COBOL
• Strong IMS (DB/DC) experience for hierarchical design and processing
• Strong DB2 for z/OS experience including SQL and tuning
• Experience with JCL, VSAM, CICS, and mainframe batch/online patterns
• Working knowledge of AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM) for modernization talks
• Go and/or Python proficiency for prototyping modernization approaches
• Ability to read, reverse-engineer, and document COBOL/JCL business logic
• Strong analytical skills for transformation feasibility and risk
• Experience with Endevor/ChangeMan and mainframe testing practices
• Strong debugging and production-support skills and clear communication

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain, and support COBOL applications on IBM mainframe (z/OS), batch and online (CICS/IMS).
• Work with IMS (DB/DC) and DB2 for mainframe data access including design and SQL tuning.
• Maintain deep knowledge of legacy COBOL/JCL and business logic.
• Support production mainframe systems: troubleshoot, debug, incidents across batch/online.
• Collaborate with architecture teams to identify modernization opportunities toward cloud-native architectures (AWS, Go, Python).
• Contribute to modernization efforts: migration, re-platforming, API-enablement of legacy mainframe functionality.
• Build proofs-of-concept in Go/Python to validate modernization approaches.
• Document current-state mainframe architecture and data flows for transformation roadmaps.
• Collaborate with data engineers and DevOps on hybrid mainframe-to-cloud patterns.
• Follow change management, testing, and compliance practices; mentor junior developers.

Skills

COBOL

IMS (DB/DC)

DB2 for z/OS

JCL

CICS

Go

Python

AWS basics (EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM)

AI tooling familiarity

Legacy code documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Endevor

ChangeMan

JCL tooling

File-AID

Job description

Level: Senior (8–12 years)

Location: Hyderabad - hybrid

Experience: 8–12 years

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Mainframe Developer with deep, hands‑on expertise in COBOL, IMS, and DB2 to support and evolve our core mainframe platform. This role has two parts that carry equal weight: staying hands‑on with the mainframe systems that run the business today, and building enough fluency in AWS, Go, and Python to identify and help shape realistic opportunities for modernization and transformation. You will be one of the primary people who understands how the current platform actually works, and you will use that understanding to help the organization move it forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain, and support COBOL applications on IBM mainframe (z/OS), including both batch and online (CICS/IMS) programs
• Work hands‑on with IMS (DB/DC) and DB2 for mainframe data access, including IMS segment/database design, DB2 schema design, SQL, and performance tuning
• Build and maintain deep functional and technical knowledge of the existing mainframe platform, including business logic embedded in legacy COBOL and JCL code
• Support production mainframe systems: troubleshoot, debug, and resolve incidents across batch and online processing
• Partner with architecture and platform teams to identify and assess realistic opportunities for mainframe modernization and transformation toward cloud‑native architectures (AWS, Go, Python)
• Contribute to modernization initiatives such as code and data migration, re‑platforming, and API‑enablement of legacy mainframe functionality
• Build proof‑of‑concepts and prototypes in Go and/or Python to validate modernization approaches for specific mainframe components
• Document current‑state mainframe architecture, data flows, and business rules to support transformation roadmaps
• Collaborate with architects, data engineers, and DevOps teams on hybrid mainframe‑to‑cloud integration patterns
• Follow appropriate change management, testing, and compliance practices given the criticality of the systems involved
• Mentor junior mainframe developers and share modernization and transformation best practices

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 8–12 years of hands‑on mainframe development experience, with deep, current expertise in COBOL
• Strong, hands‑on experience with IMS (DB/DC) for hierarchical database design and transaction processing
• Strong, hands‑on experience with DB2 for z/OS, including SQL, schema design, and performance tuning
• Experience with JCL, VSAM, CICS, and standard mainframe batch/online processing patterns
• Working knowledge of core AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM) sufficient to participate credibly in modernization and transformation discussions
• Working proficiency in Go and/or Python, particularly for prototyping modernization approaches and building supporting tooling
• Demonstrated ability to read, reverse‑engineer, and clearly document complex legacy COBOL/JCL business logic
• Strong analytical skills to assess mainframe components for transformation feasibility, risk, and complexity
• Experience with mainframe change management and version control tools (e.g., Endevor, ChangeMan) and mainframe testing practices
• Strong debugging and production‑support skills for mission‑critical mainframe systems
• Excellent communication skills to bridge legacy mainframe teams and modern cloud/engineering teams

AI Knowledge & AI‑Assisted Development (Required)

• Practical use of AI coding/assistant tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar) to accelerate legacy code comprehension, COBOL/JCL analysis, and documentation of business rules embedded in mainframe code
• Able to use AI tools to help identify and scope mainframe modernization and transformation opportunities, such as summarizing program logic, mapping dependencies, and drafting candidate migration approaches
• Able to critically review and validate AI‑generated code, documentation, and analysis for correctness before relying on it in production systems or transformation decisions
• Understanding of secure and compliant AI tool usage, including never entering PHI, member data, or other sensitive information from mainframe systems into prompts or external AI tools
• Able to identify where AI‑driven automation can improve modernization velocity, such as assisted code translation or test‑case generation for legacy validation, and champion adoption within the team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the US health insurance or payer domain, particularly mainframe‑based claims processing, eligibility, or core administration systems
• Prior experience on mainframe‑to‑cloud modernization or re‑platforming initiatives
• Experience with mainframe‑to‑cloud integration or modernization tooling (e.g., AWS Mainframe Modernization, IBM Z and Cloud Modernization Stack, or similar)
• Familiarity with additional mainframe tools such as File‑AID, Abend‑AID, or similar
• Relevant certifications: IBM mainframe certifications, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect