15+ Years exp. Only | Application Modernization Architect Mainframe to Cloud (C/C++, z/OS, AWS/Azure) | Contract | Remote (USA, Canada)

Job Title: Application Modernization Architect – Mainframe to Cloud (C/C++, z/OS, AWS/Azure)
Location: Remote (USA / Canada)
Job Type: Contract

15+ Years Only

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Application Modernization Architect to lead large-scale Mainframe to Cloud transformation initiatives. This role focuses on modernizing legacy C/C++ applications running on Mainframe environments and re-architecting them into scalable, cloud-native platforms using modern distributed architectures, microservices, and relational data platforms such as PostgreSQL.

The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in legacy system modernization, distributed system design, cloud architecture, and enterprise data migration, along with experience transforming tightly coupled legacy platforms into modular and scalable services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end application modernization initiatives from Mainframe platforms to modern cloud architectures.

• Assess and analyze legacy systems including C/C++ applications, batch processes, and transaction systems running on Mainframe.

• Define and implement target-state cloud-native architecture using microservices and containerized platforms.

• Design and implement modernization strategies including rehost, replatform, refactor, and re-architect approaches.

• Develop phased coexistence strategies enabling seamless integration between Mainframe and cloud systems during migration.

• Analyze complex legacy C/C++ codebases and identify opportunities for modularization and service decomposition.

• Design API enablement layers to expose legacy system capabilities for modern applications.

• Architect high-throughput distributed systems that support scalability, reliability, and performance.

• Lead modernization planning including data migration, system integration, and cloud deployment strategies.

• Guide teams in adopting Domain Driven Design (DDD) and microservices architecture patterns.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of overall IT experience, including 5+ years in enterprise architecture or solution architecture roles.

• Strong hands-on experience with Mainframe technologies (z/OS, DB2, VSAM, JCL).

• Extensive experience working with legacy C/C++ enterprise applications.

• Expertise in PostgreSQL, including performance tuning and high availability architectures.

• Strong experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).

• Proven experience designing large-scale distributed and cloud-native systems.

• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise modernization and migration programs.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with API integration frameworks and service-based architectures.

• Knowledge of data migration strategies from Mainframe databases to modern relational platforms.

• Experience implementing microservices and event-driven architectures.

• Strong leadership experience guiding cross-functional engineering teams during transformation programs.