Full Stack Developer (Expert) – Java & Cloud Migration

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; Mayville (ND); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Remote opportunities

Global-scale project

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment is seeking an Expert Full Stack Developer to lead a mainframe modernization initiative, migrating legacy COBOL/PL1 applications to modern Java and cloud environments. You will design migration strategies, assess risks, and guide cross-functional teams.

You will work with Agile teams, drive DevOps automation, ensure security and performance, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver scalable enterprise-grade solutions across on-premise and cloud environments.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in IT, software development or DevOps with senior delivery experience.
• Strong architecture and delivery decision-making skills.
• Experience coordinating multiple Agile teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization and migration of legacy mainframe apps to Java-based solutions.
• Design migration strategies for COBOL/PL1 to Java and cloud.
• Assess risks, dependencies, and create practical migration plans.
• Drive DevOps automation and modular architecture across teams.
• Coach Agile feature teams and collaborate with Product Owners and testers.
• Ensure performance, security, and data integrity of migrated systems.

Skills

Java development

Spring Framework

Agile leadership

Mainframe migration

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Advanced Scrum/Agile certification

Tools

Jira

Confluence

X-Ray

Bitbucket

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Job description

Are you a seasoned technology professional who loves solving complex problems, leading teams, and turning legacy systems into modern, high-performing solutions? We're looking for a Full Stack Developer (Expert) to help drive an exciting mainframe modernisation initiative, migrating legacy applications into modern Java and cloud-based environments.

This is your opportunity to combine technical expertise, strategic thinking, Agile leadership, and cloud innovation while working on complex, enterprise-level systems.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead the modernisation and migration of legacy mainframe applications to modern Java-based solutions.
• Help design and refine migration strategies for converting COBOL and PL/1 applications into Java.
• Analyse existing systems, identify dependencies, assess risks, and develop practical migration plans.
• Work with cloud and infrastructure teams to map legacy components to suitable cloud services.
• Drive the delivery of complex projects, keeping timelines, budgets, quality, and business requirements on track.
• Lead and support Agile feature teams, encouraging collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with stakeholders, Product Owners, developers, testers, and external suppliers to turn business requirements into workable solutions.
• Oversee system integration, testing, parallel runs, implementation, and quality assurance.
• Ensure solutions meet performance, security, data integrity, and compliance requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide second-level support when required.
• Champion DevOps automation, modular architecture, and efficient development practices.
• Keep documentation up to date and share knowledge through coaching, training, and knowledge-transfer sessions.
• Monitor migrated applications and continuously improve cloud performance, cost, and efficiency.

Requirements

You'll need a strong technical foundation, combined with the confidence to guide teams and make important architectural and delivery decisions.

Essential technical experience:

• Strong Java development skills, including object-oriented programming, multithreading, collections, generics, and exception handling.
• Extensive experience with Java frameworks, particularly Spring, Spring MVC, and Spring Boot.
• At least 10 years' experience in IT, Software Development, or DevOps, with 10+ years in a relevant programming language.
• Strong project delivery and project management capabilities.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and managing work across multiple Agile teams.
• Knowledge of system integration, requirements analysis, technical planning, and solution design.
• Experience coordinating development and support environments.
• Proficiency in Agile tools such as Jira, Confluence, X-Ray, and Bitbucket.
• Experience with DevOps, transition management, and problem, incident, and change management.
• Resource planning, budget management, and technical team leadership experience.
• Previous exposure to a finance function, either directly or through supporting a finance-focused team.

Additional technical experience that will give you an edge:

• AWS or Azure cloud architecture and services.
• Serverless development, including AWS Lambda.
• Kafka, streaming services, and publish/subscribe (Pub/Sub) technologies.
• Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenShift.
• Mainframe technologies and databases, including COBOL, PL/1, DB2, IMS, and J2EE.
• Mainframe-to-Java code conversion tools such as Astadia, Heirloom, or BlueAge.
• Cloud-based architecture for legacy application migration.
• Testing frameworks such as JUnit or TestNG, along with automated and integration testing.
• Hibernate or other ORM frameworks.
• Modern front-end technologies such as Angular, React, or Vue.js.
• Performance optimisation, debugging, high availability, and security best practices.

Qualifications & Certifications

A relevant IT, Business, or Engineering qualification.

At least one recognised advanced Scrum or Agile certification, such as Professional Scrum Master II, Advanced Certified ScrumMaster, Certified SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, Leading SAFe Agilist, or Scaled Professional Scrum.

A Scrum Master certification and project management qualification would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Work on a complex, global-scale technology modernisation initiative.
• Collaborate with international teams and experienced technology professionals.
• Enjoy a flexible working model combining remote and on-site work.
• Benefit from a flexible working arrangement of 1,960 hours over a 12-month period.
• Be part of a fast-paced, energetic environment that values innovation and teamwork.
• Gain exposure to modern cloud technologies, enterprise architecture, and large-scale migration projects.