Mainframe Architect (AWS Migration Specialist)

Cliff Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 85,239 - 121,401; Full time

Job summary

A technology services company is seeking a Mainframe Architect (AWS Migration Specialist) to lead the migration of legacy mainframe systems to cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience with COBOL, JCL, and AWS services. Responsibilities include designing cloud architectures, ensuring compliance and performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This role is onsite at preferred locations such as Richmond, VA or McLean, VA, and requires relocation. Interested candidates can share their CVs.

Qualifications

• Experience with rearchitecting legacy batch and real-time processes into cloud-native services.
• Familiarity with re-platforming databases (DB2 to AWS RDS/Aurora).
• AWS Architect Certification (Professional/Specialty) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and migration of legacy mainframe systems to AWS cloud environments.
• Design and implement cloud-native architectures that align with enterprise standards.
• Ensure security, compliance, performance, and cost optimization in cloud architectures.

Skills

10+ years' experience in legacy mainframe systems (COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS)

Proven experience migrating mainframe workloads to AWS

Hands-on experience with AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS/Aurora, Lambda, CloudFormation, API Gateway)

Strong understanding of cloud migration frameworks and tools

Expertise in data migration strategies

Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills

Job description

Job Title: Mainframe Architect (AWS Migration Specialist)

Location: Onsite — Preferred: Richmond, VA | McLean, VA | Dallas, TX | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA

Interview Process: In-Person

Employment Type: W2 / C2C | Long-Term Contract

Rate: $75/hr

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and migration of legacy mainframe systems to AWS cloud environments.
• Assess current infrastructure, define migration strategies, and develop executable roadmaps for modernization.
• Design and implement robust cloud-native architectures that align with enterprise standards.
• Develop actionable plans for refactoring, re-platforming, or rehosting mainframe applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (cloud architects, app developers, business analysts, DevOps) to execute migration strategies.
• Provide technical leadership, documentation, and mentorship to teams executing the migration.
• Ensure security, compliance, performance, and cost optimization in cloud architectures.
• Develop proof of concepts (POCs), design patterns, and architecture frameworks to support cloud adoption.

Required Skills

• 10+ years' experience in legacy mainframe systems (COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS).
• Proven experience migrating mainframe workloads to AWS.
• Hands‑on experience with AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS/Aurora, Lambda, CloudFormation, API Gateway.
• Strong understanding of cloud migration frameworks and tools (e.g. Blu Age, Micro Focus, AWS Migration Hub, CloudEndure).
• Expertise in data migration strategies, including re-platforming databases (DB2 to AWS RDS / Aurora).
• Familiarity with rearchitecting legacy batch and real-time processes into cloud-native services.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills.

Preferred Skills

• AWS Architect Certification (Professional / Specialty).
• Experience in financial services or large enterprise environments.
• Experience with mainframe modernization tools (e.g., Micro Focus, IBM Z modernization services).
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and security frameworks for cloud migrations.

Additional Considerations

• Candidate must be willing to relocate and work onsite in one of the preferred locations.
• Work authorization must be pre‑approved (no OPT/CPT).

Interested can share their CV to [e-mail]