Mainframe Modernization & Cloud Transformation

Cognizant; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Disability Coverage

Wellbeing Programs

Learning & Development

Job summary

Cognizant is hiring a Solution Architect in Hartford to lead the modernization of a large-scale enterprise program. You will oversee target-state architecture for about 50 applications, drive standards, and guide the migration from legacy COBOL systems to cloud-native Java microservices and Angular front-ends.

You will collaborate with cloud and AI teams, manage architectural risks, and ensure security and regulatory compliance while delivering scalable, enterprise-grade solutions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in software architecture or large-scale transformation programs.
• Proven experience leading mainframe modernization initiatives (COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM).
• Strong expertise in Java, Spring Boot, cloud-native development, microservices, and APIs.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the target-state architecture across ~50 applications, including modernization strategy and API architecture.
• Lead architecture governance and standardization across multiple delivery teams.
• Drive mainframe modernization by guiding extraction/transform of rules, data, and workflows from COBOL-era tech.
• Collaborate with engineering to design scalable Java microservices, APIs, cloud-native solutions, and enterprise Angular apps.
• Define AI-assisted software modernization standards including code transformation and review processes.
• Provide technical leadership, manage architectural risks, and ensure security/compliance.

Skills

Mainframe modernization

Java

Spring Boot

Angular

DevOps

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

API design

AWS

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline

Tools

COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM

Job description

About the role

As a Solution Architect, you will make an impact by leading the architecture and modernization of a large-scale enterprise transformation program, helping migrate legacy mainframe applications to modern cloud-native platforms. You will be a valued member of the modernization and architecture team and will work collaboratively with business stakeholders, engineering teams, cloud architects, modernization specialists, and AI enablement teams to deliver innovative solutions at scale.

In this role, you will:

• Define and own the target-state architecture across a portfolio of approximately 50 applications, including modernization strategy, API architecture, cloud adoption, data transformation, and front-end integration.
• Lead architecture governance by establishing standards, reusable patterns, and solution review processes that enable consistency across multiple delivery teams
• Drive mainframe modernization initiatives by guiding the extraction and transformation of business rules, data structures, and workflows from legacy technologies including COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, and related mainframe environments
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design and implement scalable Java microservices, modern APIs, cloud-native solutions, and enterprise Angular applications.
• Define architecture and governance standards for AI-assisted software modernization, including code transformation, business rule extraction, quality validation, and human review processes.
• Provide technical leadership, manage architectural risks, ensure compliance with security and regulatory requirements, and serve as the primary escalation point for complex technical challenges.

Work model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days per week in a client office in Hartford, Connecticut and 2 days remote. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 15+ years of experience in software architecture, enterprise application development, or large-scale transformation programs.
• Proven experience leading mainframe modernization initiatives involving COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, copybooks, batch processing, and online transaction systems.
• Strong expertise in Java, Spring Boot, cloud-native application development, microservices architecture, and API design.
• Deep knowledge of AWS cloud services, including compute, networking, security, storage, observability, resiliency, and cost optimization best practices.
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale Angular applications and modern front-end architectures.
• Hands-on expertise with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, containerization, and cloud deployment platforms.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both technical and executive audiences.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.

These will help you stand out

• Experience delivering modernization programs within the insurance or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience implementing AI-assisted software engineering, code transformation, or agentic development platforms.
• Knowledge of prompt engineering, large language models, and AI governance frameworks within enterprise environments.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional certification.
• TOGAF or other enterprise architecture certifications.
• Experience leading globally distributed teams and complex multi-workstream transformation programs.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $104,850 and $166,500 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by applicable law.

Benefits

Applications will be accepted until 10/18/2026.

Cognizant offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Company Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Programs
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Learning and Professional Development Opportunities