Mainframe Developer

Saige Partners; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Saige Partners is seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer to help modernize mission-critical systems. You will analyze COBOL, JCL, and PL/1 on an IBM Mainframe, translating legacy code into clear specifications that guide modernization and integration.

You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, act as the main source of technical insight on architecture and dependencies, and help shape the path from legacy environments toward scalable, modern solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Extensive hands-on experience with IBM Mainframe environments.
• Strong development and code-analysis experience with COBOL, JCL, and PL/1.
• Ability to perform deep-dive or forensic analysis of complex legacy code.
• Ability to translate legacy code into clear, actionable specifications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed analysis of legacy COBOL, JCL, and PL/1 code within an IBM Mainframe environment.
• Investigate complex programs and code structures to uncover functionality, dependencies, business rules, and underlying logic.
• Translate legacy code and business logic into clear, modern technical specifications that can be used to support modernization and integration efforts.
• Work closely with developers, engineers, business stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to ensure legacy functionality is accurately understood and documented.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on Mainframe architecture, applications, and legacy codebases.
• Identify relationships, dependencies, and potential challenges within the existing environment that may impact modernization.
• Provide technical insight and recommendations throughout the integration and modernization process.

Skills

IBM Mainframe

COBOL

JCL

PL/1

Forensic code analysis

Technical communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering/IT or related field

Job description

Help Modernize Mission-Critical Mainframe Systems

We're seeking an experienced Mainframe Developer to play a key role in a major technology modernization initiative. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys getting deep into complex legacy systems, uncovering how they work, and turning decades of Mainframe code into clear, actionable specifications that can support the next generation of the environment.

In this role, you'll serve as a technical expert on an existing IBM Mainframe codebase, analyzing legacy COBOL, JCL, and PL/1 applications and helping teams understand the business logic and functionality embedded within them. Your ability to perform detailed 'forensic' analysis of legacy code will be critical to successfully translating the existing environment and guiding modernization efforts.

What You'll Do

• Conduct detailed analysis of legacy COBOL, JCL, and PL/1 code within an IBM Mainframe environment.
• Investigate complex programs and code structures to uncover functionality, dependencies, business rules, and underlying logic.
• Translate legacy code and business logic into clear, modern technical specifications that can be used to support modernization and integration efforts.
• Work closely with developers, engineers, business stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to ensure legacy functionality is accurately understood and documented.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on Mainframe architecture, applications, and legacy codebases.
• Identify relationships, dependencies, and potential challenges within the existing environment that may impact modernization.
• Provide technical insight and recommendations throughout the integration and modernization process.

What You'll Bring

• Extensive hands-on experience working with IBM Mainframe environments.
• Strong development and code-analysis experience with COBOL, JCL, and PL/1.
• Demonstrated ability to perform deep-dive or "forensic" analysis of complex legacy codebases.
• Strong understanding of Mainframe application architecture, functionality, and dependencies.
• Ability to take complicated legacy code and translate it into clear, understandable, actionable specifications.
• Strong communication and consultative skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field is preferred.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to work on a high-impact modernization initiative where your Mainframe expertise will directly influence how a complex legacy environment evolves. If you enjoy solving difficult technical puzzles, understanding how established systems work, and using that knowledge to bridge legacy technology with modern infrastructure, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

If you're a Mainframe expert who knows how to read between the lines of legacy code and turn it into a roadmap for modernization, we'd like to hear from you.