Java Architect (COBOL to Java migrations)

Role : Java Architect- Irvine, CA

Summary: Lead the technical modernization of a core Investment Accounting Platform from legacy COBOL/Sybase to a cutting-edge Java/Photon architecture.

This role is highly execution-oriented, anchoring multiple distributed agile PODs. You will define the migration strategy, establish the automation frameworks for an as-is code translation, and orchestrate advanced Agentic AI engineering tools (such as Devin and Blitzy) to accelerate the delivery lifecycle while ensuring strict functional parity.

Required Skills & Experience:

Experience: 15+ years of IT experience, with a proven track record of leading technical architecture for large-scale legacy core platform transformations (COBOL to Java migrations preferred).

Domain Expertise: Strong foundational knowledge in Capital Markets or Financial Services (Direct Investment Accounting platform experience is highly advantageous).

Technical Depth: Deep expertise in Java Full-Stack architecture, microservices design, and building high-throughput transactional APIs. o Strong capability to read, interpret, and deconstruct COBOL logic and Sybase relational databases/stored procedures.

AI & Engineering Methodology: Hands-on familiarity or strong conceptual mastery of integrating autonomous AI coding agents (Devin, Blitzy) or advanced AI developer environments into the enterprise SDLC. o Familiarity with Specification-Driven Development methodologies to align legacy specs with AI outputs.

Team Dynamics: Proven experience steering large-scale projects using a heavily leveraged global delivery model.

Key Responsibilities Migration Strategy & Governance: Define the blueprints, data mapping, and pattern-matching strategies to migrate millions of lines of COBOL and Sybase stored procedures to Java microservices with zero business logic deviation.

AI-Assisted SDLC Orchestration: Establish and optimize the development pipeline to leverage autonomous AI software engineering agents (Devin, Blitzy) for automated code generation, refactoring, and unit testing.

Target Architecture Design: Design a high-performance, scalable target Java architecture leveraging modern API/Microservices and Photon patterns tailored for high-volume financial transactions.

Functional Parity Verification: Define automated testing and dual-run validation frameworks to cross-check legacy system outputs against the new Java platform, guaranteeing 100% data and logic alignment.

Technical Leadership & Pod Governance: Serve as the onsite technical anchor for 5 global delivery PODs (80:20 offshore/onsite model), conducting architecture reviews and unblocking technical dependencies between legacy logic and modern code.