Senior COBOL Developer (z/OS) - LATAM Remote

Workstate; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Workstate seeks a Senior COBOL Developer for an 18-month modernization project. The role focuses on converting a legacy RPG II codebase to COBOL on IBM z/OS, in preparation for cloud migration to Google Cloud Platform using Raincode rehosting.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years of COBOL on z/OS, strong DB2 SQL, and experience with JCL/TSO/ISPF, VSAM, CICS, and mainframe tools. Fully remote work with US-based client collaboration and Agile practices.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of COBOL development on IBM z/OS mainframes.
• Experience with DB2 for z/OS and embedded SQL.
• Proficient in JCL, TSO/ISPF and batch processing.
• Familiarity with VSAM datasets and GDGs.
• Knowledge of DFSORT/SYNCSORT and IDCAMS utilities.
• Experience with CICS and mainframe modernization projects.

Responsibilities

• Convert legacy RPG II programs into COBOL on z/OS.
• Analyze program logic, data layouts and data flows to preserve behavior.
• Develop and maintain JCL and batch job streams.
• Write and tune SQL for DB2 for z/OS; work with VSAM datasets.
• Participate in unit, regression and parallel testing; data reconciliation.
• Prepare code for rehosting on GCP using Raincode compiler/runtime.
• Document converted programs and data dependencies.
• Collaborate with client teams in an Agile setting.

Skills

COBOL

IBM z/OS

SQL

JCL/TSO/ISPF

VSAM/KSAM

CICS

Mainframe migration

Git

Endevor

ChangeMan

Raincode

GCP

English (C1+)

Tools

Raincode

Git

Endevor

ChangeMan

GCP

Job description

Workstate seeks a Senior COBOL Developer to join our team for an 18-month modernization project! In this role, you will convert a legacy RPG II codebase to COBOL on IBM z/OS in preparation for a cloud migration to Google Cloud Platform using the Raincode mainframe rehosting platform. If you are a strong COBOL engineer who enjoys working with data and delivering high-quality results for clients, you'll fit right in at Workstate.

We aim to engage consultants who can motivate and galvanize our clients, while diving deeply into the work at hand and envisioning future projects. Our consultants are skilled decision-makers, committed to championing client visions and driving quality results.

This position is fully remote and available to people residing in Colombia or Argentina with the right to work in that country.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have 6+ years of professional COBOL development experience on IBM z/OS mainframes. Beyond that, we're looking for some of the following skills, but not necessarily all:

• Strong SQL and data skills, especially DB2 for z/OS (embedded SQL, query tuning, data modeling)
• JCL, TSO/ISPF and batch processing
• VSAM, QSAM/sequential files and GDGs
• Mainframe utilities such as DFSORT/SYNCSORT and IDCAMS
• CICS
• Legacy modernization, code conversion or mainframe migration projects
• Mainframe rehosting or emulation platforms (Raincode, Micro Focus/Rocket Enterprise Server) or GCP
• Source control and change management tools (Git, Endevor, ChangeMan)
• Data validation, reconciliation and parallel-run testing
• C1 level (advanced) or higher English, written and verbal. You will work directly with US-based client teams and need to communicate as comfortably as a US-based colleague.
• You do not need RPG II experience. Engineers joining the project are trained on it. Prior experience with RPG II or other IBM midrange languages is a plus.

Job Duties

• Convert legacy RPG II programs into well-structured, maintainable COBOL on z/OS
• Analyze existing program logic, file layouts and data flows to make sure the converted code behaves the same way
• Develop and maintain JCL, batch job streams and related utilities
• Write and tune SQL (DB2 for z/OS) and work with VSAM and sequential datasets
• Take part in unit, regression and parallel testing, including data validation and reconciliation between legacy and converted output
• Prepare code and data for rehosting on GCP with the Raincode compiler and runtime
• Document converted programs, data dependencies and technical decisions
• Work with the client's technical and migration teams in an Agile setting