Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect

Rocket Software; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 154,575 - 194,650; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Vacation Time

Health and Wellness coverage

401(k) matching contributions

Tuition Reimbursement

Leadership training opportunities

Job summary

Rocket Software is hiring a Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect in Richmond, VA. This hands-on role involves analyzing and implementing solutions that support customer digital transformation. Candidates need advanced technical degrees and considerable experience with cloud technologies and mainframe modernization.

Key responsibilities include designing scalable application solutions, providing architectural guidance, and leading customer migrations. Benefits include unlimited vacation, health coverage, and retirement savings options.

Qualifications

• 4 to 10 years of experience leading customers with mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Prior experience in leading migrations from mainframe to Rocket Enterprise Server platform.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, architect, and implement solutions for Digital Transformation.
• Create technology analysis and conduct customer presentations.
• Provide architectural guidance for successful customer engagements.

Skills

Mainframe and legacy modernization

Cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Microservices and DevOps

COBOL modernization

Education

Advanced Technical Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenShift

Job description

Job Description Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect to analyze, design, architect, and implement solutions that support our Customers’ Digital Transformation journeys. In this hands‑on role, you will be responsible for solving complex technical issues, establishing patterns and practices, and setting standards for the modernization of mainframe legacy environments.

Focus Areas

• Infrastructure modernization: Deploy fit for purpose workload in a Hybrid Cloud infrastructure
• Application modernization: Evolve from monolithic application to Cloud‑Native API
• Microservices Process modernization: Embrace an enterprise‑wide DevOps discipline to deliver application faster

Key Responsibilities

• Helping Customers and Systems Integrators to design scalable, high availability application solutions built on the Rocket Enterprise Portfolio/Enterprise Server solution.
• Working as a technical leader alongside customer business, development and infrastructure teams.
• Create conduct proof of concept technology analysis and pilots.
• Conduct customer presentations and internal presentations/trainings to peer groups.
• Enable and align consulting partners with Rocket Enterprise Portfolio (Enterprise Server/Enterprise Developer/Enterprise Analyzer) mainframe modernization approach and methodology.
• Provide the architectural guidance and recommendations necessary to promote successful Customer engagements worldwide.
• Technical content composition and delivery: blogs, whitepapers, technical presentations at major conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced Technical Degree in Computer Science or related field
• At least 4 to 10 years of experience leading customers with mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of major Cloud Provider infrastructure and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, Cloud Foundry, Docker / Kubernetes.
• Experience with analyzing on‑premises mainframe environment applications and process to formulate plans for modernizing workloads that achieve Customer’s desired business outcomes.
• Relevant Business and IT Architecture Certifications such as AWS Solution Architect Professional, Microsoft AZURE Solution Architect, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), etc.
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Prior Experience in leading Customer migrations from Mainframe to Rocket Enterprise Server platform.
• Technical Experience in at least one of these areas:
  • Infrastructure Modernization
  • Experience with tools and methodologies used to migrate mainframe workloads via hardware/middleware emulation, automated code conversion, and re‑platforming.
  • Experience with COBOL modernization and porting application code across platforms.
  • Hands‑on technical experience with mainframe, non‑x86 legacy systems and with technologies such as COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS DB/DC, Assembler, PL/I, REXX, flat/sequential files, GDGs, and VSAM.
  • Must have an analytical mindset to analyze test result and facilitate defect resolution.
  • Experience design/architecting distributed and Cloud environments (target environments) – including OpenShift, Kubernetes, and Containers.
• Application Modernization
  • Strong analysis skills with solid concepts in Architecture and Design. Should have joined projects to refactor complex business applications.
  • Knowledge of Cloud Computing, Containers, Microservices, and Serverless technology.
  • Experience with Business Rules‑extraction from COBOL/PL1.
  • Experience architecting high availability, resilient, fault‑tolerant systems that utilize load balancing, horizontal/vertical scaling.
  • Knowledge of Webservices, Microservices, APIs and exposing Application components to alternate platforms.
• Process Modernization
  • Complete understanding of software development lifecycle including DevOps toolchains.
  • Experience configuring automation pipelines in GitHub, Azure DevOps, AWS CodePipeline, Jenkins or similar tools.
  • Familiarity with agile engineering practices like Test Automation, Test‑Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), DevOps, and Test Data Management, etc.
  • Experience with implementing and operating DevOps and Agile tools/platforms across some part of the development lifecycle.
• Ability and interest in travel to our customers around the world, as needed.
• Commitment to Rocket Core values of empathy, humanity, trust and love.

Benefits

• Unlimited Vacation Time as well as paid holidays and sick time
• Health and Wellness coverage options for Rocketeers and dependents
• Life and disability coverage
• Fidelity 401(k) and Roth Retirement Savings with matching contributions
• Monthly student debt benefit program
• Tuition Reimbursement and Certificate Reimbursement Program opportunities
• Leadership and skills training opportunities

The base salary range for this role is $154,575.00 - $194,650.00 /year. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Rocket Software Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Rocket Software Inc. is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rocket is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please call: 781-577-4321 or send an email to [e-mail]. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case‑by‑case basis.

As part of our commitment to a safe and trustworthy workplace, we include background and reference checks in our hiring process.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.