Core Systems Software Engineer I

MetLife; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Core Systems Software Engineer to develop and maintain mainframe-based insurance systems. You will help modernize development environments, implement AI-assisted tooling, and work with teams across Japan, Malaysia, and India.

The candidate should have strong COBOL/JCL/DB2 experience, a Bachelor’s degree, and a track record of solving complex problems with cross-functional collaboration in a regulated financial context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 3+ years of software development experience with mainframe environments (COBOL, JCL, DB2).
• Experience integrating mainframe solutions with modern platforms.
• Experience in regulated financial industry space desirable.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and collaboration skills.
• Experience with Agile development preferred.
• Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools to improve coding, testing, and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain mainframe applications.
• Leverage AI-assisted tools to improve code quality and automate testing.
• Translate business requirements into system specifications.
• Improve batch and online processing performance; handle incidents.
• Prepare release plans and operational manuals.
• Ensure security and regulatory compliance in design and operations.
• Collaborate with delivery teams across Japan, Malaysia and India.

Skills

COBOL

JCL

DB2

AI tooling

CI/CD

Agile

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

20814

Core Systems Software Engineer

Role Description

MetLife is seeking a Core System s Software Engineer responsible for developing and maintaining insurance business systems built on mainframe platforms. This position plays a critical role in ensuring stable operations of existing systems while driving new product development and modernization of development environments and processes. You will be engaged in design, development, and operations based on business requirements and interacting closely with delivery teams across Japan, Malaysia a nd India . This is an opportunity to be involved in the modernization of critical platforms that will positively impact the lives of millions.

Key Responsibilities

• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to improve code quality, automate testing, accelerate documentation, and support troubleshooting activities
• Identify and apply AI-driven opportunities to enhance modernization initiatives, knowledge discovery, system analysis, and operational efficiency
• Design, develop, test, and maintain mainframe applications
• Analyse and design to translate business requirements into system specifications
• Improve performance of batch and online processing, handle incidents, and perform root cause analysis
• Manage application changes, create release plans, and prepare operational manuals
• Conduct technical evaluations and implementations for modernization initiatives (e.g., development support tools, test automation, CI/CD)
• Ensure design and operations comply with security and regulatory requirements

Candidate Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 3+ years of software development experience with preference given to candidates with prior exposure to mainframe environment (COBOL, JCL, DB2, etc.)
• Experience in integrating mainframe solutions with modern open standards platforms
• Experience in system development with in companies operating in the regulated financial industry space desirable
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and collaboration skills
• Expertise in mainframe technologies (COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2) desirable
• Design and tuning of batch and online processing
• Understanding and practical experience in Agile development preferred
• Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools to improve coding, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting productivity
• Ability to evaluate and apply AI solutions for test automation, code analysis, knowledge discovery, and modernization support

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies" and Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value. Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible .Join us!