Cobol Programmer

CornerStone Technology Talent Services; Blythewood (SC); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CornerStone Technology Talent Services seeks an experienced Senior COBOL Developer / Technical Lead to support complex enterprise applications. This role emphasizes Micro Focus COBOL and Visual COBOL in a Windows client-server environment with Oracle SQL integration.

The position is onsite during initial training in Blythewood, SC, followed by a hybrid schedule. Residency in SC, NC, or GA is required to meet onsite expectations. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Qualifications

• 6+ years hands-on Micro Focus COBOL and/or Visual COBOL experience.
• 10+ years developing and maintaining complex enterprise applications.
• Strong experience with Windows-based client-server applications.
• 10+ years of COBOL development integrated with Oracle SQL.
• 5+ years of technical leadership.
• 5+ years of Level 3 application/production support.
• Experience working with business stakeholders as a senior technical resource.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, troubleshoot, and enhance complex COBOL applications.
• Develop and support applications using Micro Focus COBOL and Visual COBOL.
• Support Windows-based client-server applications connected to Oracle databases.
• Write and troubleshoot complex COBOL business logic and Oracle SQL.
• Analyze existing applications and recommend improvements or modernization opportunities.
• Provide senior-level Level 3 production support for business-critical applications.
• Troubleshoot complex application, data, integration, and production issues.
• Lead technical development activities and support application planning and deployments.
• Participate in application architecture and technical design decisions.
• Work with business teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Support testing, implementation, deployment, enhancements, and ongoing maintenance.
• Collaborate with developers in Microsoft and .NET environments.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other developers.

Skills

Micro Focus COBOL / Visual COBOL

Oracle SQL

Windows Client-Server

Technical Leadership

Production Support (Level 3)

Stakeholder Collaboration

Production Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

Microsoft Visual Studio

Rocket COBOL

Net Express / Server Express

Job description

Senior COBOL Developer / Technical Lead – Micro Focus & Visual COBOL

Location: Blythewood, SC

Work Arrangement: Onsite during initial training, then hybrid

Contract: 12 months with potential extension

Pay Rate: Up to $80/hr

Residency Requirement: Must currently reside in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia

About the Opportunity

CornerStone Technology Talent Services is seeking an experienced Senior COBOL Developer / Technical Lead to support complex, business-critical enterprise applications.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned COBOL professional who has expanded beyond traditional mainframe development and has strong hands‑on experience with Micro Focus COBOL and/or Visual COBOL in a Windows client‑server environment.]

Important: This is not a mainframe-only COBOL position. Candidates must have substantial hands‑on experience with Micro Focus or Visual COBOL, along with Oracle SQL and Windows‑based applications.

You’ll combine hands‑on development with technical leadership, production support, troubleshooting, and collaboration with business and technical teams.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, test, troubleshoot, and enhance complex COBOL applications.
• Develop and support applications using Micro Focus COBOL and Visual COBOL.
• Support Windows‑based client-server applications connected to Oracle databases.
• Write and troubleshoot complex COBOL business logic and Oracle SQL.
• Analyze existing applications and recommend improvements or modernization opportunities.
• Provide senior‑level Level 3 production support for business‑critical applications.
• Troubleshoot complex application, data, integration, and production issues.
• Lead technical development activities and support application planning and deployments.
• Participate in application architecture and technical design decisions.
• Work directly with business teams to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Support testing, implementation, deployment, enhancements, and ongoing maintenance.
• Collaborate with developers working in Microsoft and .NET environments.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to other developers.

What We’re Looking For

The strongest candidates will bring:

• 6+ years of hands‑on Micro Focus COBOL and/or Visual COBOL experience
• Working knowledge of Visual COBOL V9
• 10+ years of experience developing and maintaining complex enterprise applications
• Strong experience with Windows‑based client-server applications
• 10+ years of COBOL development integrated with Oracle SQL
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience
• 5+ years of Level 3 application/production support
• Experience working directly with business stakeholders as a senior technical resource
• Strong background in systems analysis, application design, coding, testing, debugging, implementation, and production troubleshooting
• Experience developing and reviewing technical and business specifications

Nice to Have

Experience with any of the following would be a plus:

• Oracle 19c or newer
• Advanced Oracle SQL / PL/SQL
• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Net Express or Server Express
• Rocket COBOL
• Integrating COBOL back‑end applications with modern front‑end technologies
• Legacy application modernization
• High‑volume transaction‑processing environments
• Large enterprise or highly regulated environments
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Micro Focus or Visual COBOL certifications

The Background We’re Targeting

We’re particularly interested in experienced COBOL professionals who have continued evolving their technical skills as COBOL applications moved into more modern environments.

Traditional IBM mainframe experience can certainly be part of your background. However, candidates whose recent experience is primarily z/OS, CICS, JCL, VSAM, IMS, or DB2 without substantial Micro Focus or Visual COBOL experience are unlikely to be a strong fit.

The ideal candidate combines:

Micro Focus / Visual COBOL + Windows Client‑Server + Oracle SQL + Technical Leadership + Production Support

Location & Work Arrangement

This position is based in Blythewood, South Carolina.

The selected consultant will work onsite during the initial training period and may transition to a hybrid schedule afterward. Some ongoing onsite work will still be required.

Candidates must currently reside in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia and be able to meet the onsite requirements in Blythewood.

Relocation assistance and commuting expenses are not provided.

Why Join Through CornerStone Technology Talent Services?

CornerStone Technology Talent Services connects experienced technology professionals with opportunities where specialized technical expertise truly matters.

For this opportunity, we’re looking beyond traditional COBOL keywords. We want someone who combines deep COBOL knowledge with hands‑on experience supporting Micro Focus/Visual COBOL, Oracle, and Windows‑based enterprise applications.

If this sounds like your background, we’d like to hear from you.