Mainframe Modernization Solution Architect

TechPerm Incorporated; Lochearn (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

TechPerm Incorporated in Baltimore County, MD is seeking a Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect to lead enterprise modernization projects onsite, transitioning legacy mainframe apps to Java/Spring/Angular while ensuring reliability, security, and scalability.

You will analyze z/OS, COBOL, CICS, and DB2 environments, design APIs and microservices, collaborate with federal stakeholders, and guide DevSecOps and automated testing in cloud-adjacent setups.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with IBM mainframe systems (z/OS, COBOL, CICS, DB2).
• Proven experience in enterprise modernization projects transitioning legacy systems to Java/Spring/Angular or similar tech stacks.
• Strong understanding of API development, microservices architecture, messaging frameworks, and modular integration patterns.
• Experience designing solutions in complex federal environments.
• Ability to work hands-on onsite with customers engineering teams and federal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting architectural recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and solution design for modernizing mainframe apps and data systems.
• Analyze z/OS, COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2 legacy environments to map future-state architecture.
• Design integration patterns bridging mainframe with Java/Spring/Angular, REST, microservices, and cloud.
• Provide leadership in replatforming, refactoring, code conversion, and API enablement.
• Collaborate with customers' technical teams, product owners, and federal stakeholders.
• Support development teams to implement modern components with performance and security in mind.
• Utilize IBM Watson or cognitive platforms to suggest automation or analytics enhancements.
• Create architecture diagrams and technical docs for customer review and approval.
• Ensure solutions meet federal security standards (FISMA, NIST) and EA guidelines.
• Provide thought leadership on mainframe modernization, DevSecOps, and automated testing.

Skills

IBM mainframe

Z/OS

COBOL

CICS

DB2

Modernization

Tools

Java

Spring Boot

Angular

REST APIs

Microservices

Cloud

Job description

Job Title: Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect

Location: Onsite – Baltimore County MD 21244

Clearance: Public Trust

Position Overview:

The Mainframe Solutions Architect will support enterprise modernization initiatives at customer site.. This role focuses on designing, guiding, and implementing strategies that transition legacy mainframe applications into modern Java/Angular architectures while ensuring mission‑critical reliability, security, and scalability. Candidates should have deep experience with IBM mainframe technologies and hands‑on understanding of hybrid modernization patterns. Familiarity with cognitive and AI‑assisted platforms such as IBM Watson is preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead architecture and solution design efforts for modernizing customer's mainframe applications and data systems.
• Analyze existing z/OS, COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, and related customer's legacy environments to develop future‑state architecture roadmaps.
• Design integration patterns that bridge mainframe systems with modern Java, Spring Boot, Angular, REST APIs, microservices, and cloud‑compatible components.
• Provide leadership in modernization approaches such as replatforming, refactoring, code conversion, and interface/API enablement.
• Collaborate closely with customers technical teams, product owners, and federal stakeholders to ensure architecture alignment with enterprise standards.
• Support development teams in implementing modernized components, ensuring performance, maintainability, and security compliance.
• Utilize knowledge of IBM Watson or related cognitive/AI platforms to recommend and design intelligent automation or analytics enhancements.
• Conduct assessments, produce architecture diagrams, and create technical documentation required by customer for review and approval.
• Ensure all solutions meet federal security standards (FISMA, NIST) and customers enterprise architecture guidelines.
• Provide thought leadership on industry best practices for mainframe modernization, DevSecOps adoption, and automated testing frameworks.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience with IBM mainframe systems (z/OS, COBOL, CICS, DB2).
• Proven experience in enterprise modernization projects transitioning legacy systems to Java/Spring/Angular or similar tech stacks.
• Strong understanding of API development, microservices architecture, messaging frameworks, and modular integration patterns.
• Experience designing solutions in complex federal environments.
• Ability to work hands‑on onsite with customers engineering teams and federal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting architectural recommendations to technical and non‑technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with customers systems, data models, architectural review processes, or prior SSA contract support.
• Familiarity with IBM Watson, Watson Assistant, or Watson Discovery.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps pipelines, automated testing, and CI/CD in legacy‑to‑modern environments.
• Experience with cloud‑adjacent technologies (AWS, Azure, hybrid cloud) used within federal modernization efforts.