Mainframe Service Manager - Hybrid

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life

Parental Leave

Disability Coverage

Paid Holidays and PTO

401k

Wellbeing Programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Career Development

Job summary

Cognizant in Chicago is seeking a Mainframe Service Manager to lead development, enhancement, and production support of critical banking applications on IBM z/OS. You will collaborate with client stakeholders, onsite and offshore delivery teams, and technical partners to deliver reliable, compliant solutions.

The role emphasizes COBOL/JCL/DB2/VSAM skills, leadership, and hands-on delivery across analysis, design, coding, testing, and production support.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of hands-on mainframe application development and support experience.
• Strong COBOL, JCL, DB2, and VSAM experience on IBM z/OS.
• Experience across analysis, design, coding, testing, documentation, implementation, and production support.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technically or as a team lead.
• Experience analyzing job failures and implementing corrective actions.
• Banking or financial services domain knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Review, interpret, and clarify requirements and project standards.
• Analyse functional specs, assess downstream impacts, raise questions, coordinate resolutions.
• Design, develop, test, and maintain mainframe solutions using COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and interfaces.
• Lead work from requirements gathering through production implementation with quality, security, and compliance.
• Coordinate onsite and offshore activities, review deliverables, support changes.
• Investigate production job failures and abends, implement durable fixes, and improve operations.
• Identify risks and collaborate with managers to resolve them.
• Provide technical and team leadership while remaining hands-on.

Skills

Mainframe development

COBOL

JCL

DB2

VSAM

Team leadership

Banking domain knowledge

Problem solving

Communication

Tools

CICS

IBM MQ

Job description

About the Role

As a Mainframe Service Manager, you will make an impact by leading the development, enhancement, and production support of business-critical applications on the IBM z/OS mainframe platform. You will be a valued member of the application services team and will work collaboratively with client stakeholders, onsite and offshore delivery teams, and technical partners to deliver reliable, compliant, and customer-focused solutions for the banking industry.

In this role, you will

• Review, interpret, and clarify functional and technical requirements and applicable project standards.
• Analyse functional specifications, assess downstream impacts, raise questions, and coordinate resolutions with stakeholders.
• Design, develop, test, and maintain mainframe solutions using COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, stored procedures, interfaces, and services.
• Lead work from requirements gathering through production implementation while maintaining quality, security, and compliance standards.
• Coordinate onsite and offshore activities, review deliverables, and support the implementation of approved changes.
• Investigate production job failures and abends, identify root causes, implement durable fixes, and recommend operational improvements.
• Identify delivery or operational risks, elevate them appropriately, and partner with managers and stakeholders on resolution.
• Provide technical and team leadership while remaining a hands-on, independent contributor.

Work Model: Hybrid

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 based in Chicago, Illinois. 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.

Please note that Cognizant cannot provide visa sponsorship now or in the future.

What you need to have to be considered

• 9+ years of hands-on mainframe application development and support experience.
• Strong experience with COBOL, JCL, DB2, and VSAM on the IBM z/OS platform.
• Experience across analysis, design, coding, testing, documentation, implementation, and production support.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and serve as a technical or team lead.
• Experience analyzing job failures, troubleshooting production issues, and implementing corrective actions.
• Banking or financial services domain knowledge.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to participate in a rotating support schedule when required.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with CICS and IBM MQ.
• Experience coordinating distributed onsite and offshore delivery teams.
• A track record of making sound design and coding decisions that prioritize customer experience, operational resilience, and maintainability.
• Interest in emerging technologies and modern engineering practices that support banking technology transformation.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Applications will be accepted until November 16th, 2026

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $70,100 - $130,500, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors.

In addition to salary, this role is eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, subject to individual and company performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage.
• Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (where applicable).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401k Package.
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement and Learning Resources.
• Career Development and Certification Opportunities.