Lead Core Systems Software Engineer

Metlife Solutions Pte Ltd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Lead Core Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain mainframe-based insurance systems across global delivery teams in Japan, Malaysia and India. You will drive modernization, ensure stable operations, and mentor team members while leveraging AI-assisted tools to boost productivity.

The role emphasizes translating business requirements into robust technical solutions, improving batch and online processing, and aligning with security and regulatory standards

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software development experience, with preference for mainframe exposure (COBOL, JCL, DB2).
• 2+ years of team leadership experience.
• Experience integrating mainframe solutions with modern open standards platforms.
• Experience in regulated financial industry space is desirable.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and collaboration skills.

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.
• Translate business requirements into system specifications through analysis and design.
• Improve batch and online processing performance, manage incidents, and conduct root cause analysis.
• Manage changes, release plans, and operational manuals.
• Lead modernization evaluations (tools, test automation, CI/CD) and ensure security compliance.
• Provide technical direction, review designs and code, and uphold architecture standards.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Agile development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

COBOL

JCL

DB2

VSAM

Mainframe architecture

CI/CD

Job description

MetLife is seeking a Lead Core Systems 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 and 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

Lead, mentor, and support team members while fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Provide technical direction, review designs and code, and ensure adherence to architecture, security, and quality standards

Coordinate priorities, manage delivery risks and dependencies, and communicate progress, issues, and decisions to stakeholders

Candidate Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Experience:

10+ years of software development experience with preference given to candidates with prior exposure to mainframe environment (COBOL, JCL, DB2, etc.)

2+ years of experience leading teams prefered.

Experience in integrating mainframe solutions with modern open standards platforms

Experience in system development within companies operating in the regulated financial industry space desirable.

Skills:

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.

Language:

Business-level Japanese optional