COBOL/IDMS Designer

TEKsystems; Herndon (VA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

TEKsystems is seeking a Mainframe Designer with COBOL expertise to design and deliver COBOL-based solutions on a mainframe platform. The role focuses on understanding business needs, defining system architecture, and producing developer-ready specifications.

The candidate will work with the design team, prioritize requirements, and coordinate with architects to ensure timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.

Qualifications

• COBOL experience on mainframe platforms required.
• IDMS experience required.
• Familiarity with AGILE development processes and ADSO strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyses business requirements and designs COBOL-based solutions.
• Define system architecture and create specifications for developers.
• Coordinate with architects and managers to plan resources and milestones.
• Ensure software projects meet quality standards and deadlines.
• Translate high-level strategies into system requirement specifications.

Skills

Cobol

Mainframe

idms

agile

ADSO

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Software Eng

Tools

COBOL tooling

Job description

Description

Our customer has an immediate need for a Mainframe designer to support a payroll application. Strong experience with COBOL in a mainframe environment is required. Experience with IDMS is also required. Exposure to the AGILE methodology and ADSO is needed. The candidate will be part of the Design Team for the project.

This is on the design side of the COBOL fence.

Primary role: Analyzes business requirements and designs COBOL-based solutions.

Focus: Solution design understanding business needs, defining system architecture, and creating specifications for developers.

Key tasks: Gathering and analyzing requirements, creating program specifications, designing data structures and processing logic, and collaborating with business teams.

Plans, directs, and coordinates all activities associated with creating software across multiple functional areas and products.

Prioritizes and allocates projects, products, and resources with the assistance of architects and managers.

Participates in the strategic decisions about technology, definition, and implementation of the software products.

Plan, direct, and coordinate activities of a multi-team or cross-functional organization.

Directs software development projects to include, ensuring that projects are completed on time and according to quality standards, facilitating communication upward and across project team including project status, justifications for variances and technical information.

Organizes projects through development of a project plan which includes communication of product goals as defined by top management, definition of project strategy, identification of the roles and responsibilities of key project groups, development of a schedule with key milestones, identification of risks, contingency plans, and allocation of project resources.

Primary role: Analyzes business requirements and designs COBOL-based solutions.

Focus: Solution design understanding business needs, defining system architecture, and creating specifications for developers.

Key tasks: Gathering and analyzing requirements, creating program specifications, designing data structures and processing logic, and collaborating with business teams.

Job Responsibilities

Ensures requirements comply with client requirements and government standards through formal verification methods.

Translates high level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and works with other engineering disciplines to develop lower level detailed implementation requirements. Establishes and coordinates development of standards, practices, and procedures as related to the overall product development.

Designs interfaces and brings system elements together so they work as a whole.

Assesses performance using evaluation criteria and technical performance measures.

Customer liaison and support for business development activities and to understand and shape requirements.

Participates in system conceptual design and documentation of the design concepts.

Translates high level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and works with multi-discipline engineering teams to develop lower level detailed requirements.

Participates in design reviews of components (hardware and software) to ensure applicability to the current system and traceability of requirements through compliance verification and validation.

Generates system level requirements verification procedures and customer acceptance test procedures.

Reviews test plans/procedures and ensures they meet the objectives of the contractual requirements and participates in the testing process to validate requirements.

Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.

Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.

Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.

Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.

Skills

• Cobol
• Mainframe
• idms
• agile
• ADSO

Top Skills Details

• Cobol
• Mainframe
• idms
• agile
• ADSO

Additional Skills & Qualifications

must be able to obtain a public trust

Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering or relevant field required.

2-4 years experience required.

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Herndon, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Herndon, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

Were a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. Were a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. Were strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. Were building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.