Senior Core Systems Software Engineer

MetLife; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

MetLife in Malaysia is seeking a Senior Core Systems Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain insurance business systems on mainframe platforms. You will ensure stable operations while driving modernization and collaboration with delivery teams across Japan, Malaysia and India.

The role emphasizes AI-assisted development, performance tuning of batch and online processing, security compliance, and release management to support complex financial services.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of software development experience, preferably in mainframe environments (COBOL, JCL, DB2)
• Experience integrating mainframe solutions with modern platforms
• Experience in the regulated financial industry space desirable

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

Skills

Mainframe COBOL

Mainframe JCL

DB2

VSAM

Batch processing

Agile development

AI-assisted development tools

Code modernization

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

COBOL

JCL

DB2

Job description

20812

Senior Core Systems Software Engineer

Role Overview

MetLife is seeking a Senior 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

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Experience:

6 + 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

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

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!