COBOL / IDMS Software Designer

GDH; Ashburn (VA); Remote; USD 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

GDH is seeking a COBOL / IDMS Software Designer to analyze business requirements and design COBOL-based solutions for IBM mainframe environments. You will plan, direct, and coordinate software development activities across multiple teams, participate in strategic technology decisions, and help deliver robust software solutions remotely within the United States.

The role emphasizes solution design, requirements analysis, system architecture, and technical specifications for development teams,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-4 years of relevant COBOL/IDMS/ADS/O experience.
• Fully remote within approved locations in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze business requirements.
• Create program specifications and technical documentation.
• Design data structures and processing logic.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and technical teams.
• Develop system components and ensure traceability and compliance.

Skills

Technical standards

Communication skills

Analytical skills

SDLC knowledge

Multitasking

Troubleshooting

Hardware/Software knowledge

Cross-platform tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a COBOL / IDMS Software Designer with experience designing, analyzing, developing, and maintaining applications written using COBOL, IDMS, and ADS/O for IBM mainframe operating systems.

This role plans, directs, and coordinates activities associated with software development across multiple functional areas and products. The ideal candidate will participate in strategic technology decisions, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and help drive the successful delivery of software solutions

Primary Role: Analyze business requirements and design COBOL-based solutions.

Focus: Solution design, business requirements analysis, system architecture, and technical specifications for development teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Gather and analyze business requirements.
• Create program specifications and technical documentation.
• Design data structures and processing logic.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams.
• Support software development projects from planning through implementation.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensure requirements comply with client and regulatory standards through formal verification methods.
• Translate high-level product development strategies into detailed system requirements and implementation specifications.
• Establish and coordinate development standards, practices, and procedures.
• Design interfaces and integrate system components into complete solutions.
• Assess performance using evaluation criteria and technical performance measures.
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams and stakeholders to understand and refine requirements.
• Participate in system conceptual design and documentation activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop detailed technical requirements.
• Participate in hardware and software design reviews to ensure traceability and compliance with requirements.
• Develop system-level verification procedures and user acceptance testing procedures.
• Review test plans and participate in testing activities to validate requirements.
• Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts in making updates.
• Write logical and physical database descriptions and define database structures.
• Coordinate database development efforts and determine project scope and limitations.
• Review project requests and estimate effort, timelines, and resource requirements.

Required Skills

• Experience applying technical standards, principles, and theories to solve moderately complex technical problems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including:
• Business and systems analysis
• Requirements gathering
• Functional specification development
• Software development
• Testing and delivery
• Ability to troubleshoot issues and implement system changes as needed.
• Understanding of computer hardware, software, processors, and related technologies.
• Experience with software development tools and technologies across multiple platforms.

Technical Skills

• COBOL
• IDMS
• ADS/O
• IBM Mainframe Environments
• Database Design and Administration
• Systems Analysis
• Requirements Management
• Software Testing and Validation

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field required.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience required.

Publishing Pay Range: $38.00 – $43.00 hourly

This is a fully remote role and can be performed from any approved location within the United States.