MAINFRAME DEVELOPER Remote

NOTE: This is a 6-month project.

Title:  MAINFRAME DEVELOPER
Start Date: 12/07/2026 to 6+ months
Position Type: contract
Agency Interview Type: Either Web Cam or In Person Interview
Work Arrangement: Remote

Complete Description:




Client is undertaking a modernization initiative to
replace an aging eligibility platform with a new statewide eligibility system
(EDEN). As part of this effort, the legacy Child Support Enforcement systemmust continue to exchange critical data with the new platform through a series of file-based interfaces and batch processes.


The Mainframe Developer will play a key role in
supporting the integration and transition between the legacy child support
system and the new eligibility platform. This position will focus on analysis,
development, testing, deployment, and support of mainframe applications and
interfaces that enable seamless data exchange during the modernization effort.


Position Summary


The Mainframe Developer will design, develop, modify,
test, and support mainframe programs and batch processes that facilitate
integration between the legacy Child Support Enforcement system (ICAR) and the
new Eligibility Determination system (EDEN). The resource will work closely
with business analysts, architects, testers, and technical teams to implement
interface updates, maintain data integrity, and support the transition from
legacy data sources to modernized eligibility services.


Key Responsibilities


Mainframe Application Development


·
Develop, enhance, and maintain COBOL and JCL
programs that process interface files between ICAR and EDEN.


·
Modify file layouts, data mappings,
transformation logic, and validation routines based on business and technical
requirements.


·
Enhance batch processing workflows, GDG
structures, and VSAM datasets to support evolving integration requirements.


·
Support modernization efforts by replacing
legacy eligibility data sources with EDEN-derived data.


·
Maintain and troubleshoot existing production
processes and interfaces.


Technical Analysis and Design


·
Translate business and functional requirements
into technical design specifications.


·
Analyze existing mainframe applications and
integration points to determine impacts of system changes.


·
Modify and support applications that interact
with  databases, including schema and subschema navigation.


·
Perform detailed record-level and field-level
analysis of inbound and outbound interfaces.


·
Identify dependencies, integration touchpoints,
and risks associated with parallel operation of legacy and modern systems.


·
Create and maintain technical documentation,
process flows, program specifications, and interface designs.


Testing and Quality Assurance


·
Develop unit test scenarios and execute
comprehensive testing of mainframe applications and batch jobs.


·
Support system, integration, regression, and
user acceptance testing activities.


·
Investigate and resolve defects identified
during testing cycles.


·
Validate end-to-end data processing and file
exchanges between systems.


·
Ensure data quality, processing accuracy, and
compliance with business requirements.


Deployment and Operational Support


·
Create and maintain JCL, procedures (PROCs),
scheduling definitions, and operational documentation.


·
Support implementation, migration, and
production deployment activities.


·
Assist with cutover planning and execution
during modernization milestones.


·
Troubleshoot production incidents, file
processing failures, and data discrepancies.


·
Develop operational runbooks, monitoring
procedures, and post-deployment support documentation.


Collaboration and Communication


·
Partner with project managers, business
analysts, developers, testers, and business stakeholders.


·
Participate in design reviews, technical
walkthroughs, sprint planning, and status meetings.


·
Communicate technical risks, issues,
dependencies, and recommendations proactively.


·
Support knowledge transfer activities and
contribute to project documentation.









Required Technical Skills


Mainframe Development


·
COBOL programming


·
JCL (Job Control Language)


·
VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities


·
IDMS database development and support


o Schema/Subschema
concepts


o Database
navigation


o ADS/O
experience preferred


o IDMS
COBOL integration


·
Batch processing development and support


·
Flat file design and parsing


·
Data transformation and interface mapping


Batch Processing and Infrastructure


·
GDG management and dataset lifecycle
administration


·
FTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting


·
File transfer automation


·
Scheduling tools such as:


o CA7


o Control-M


o Equivalent
enterprise scheduling platforms


Integration and Analysis


·
Legacy system modernization experience


·
Multi-system data integration and interface
support


·
Technical specification interpretation


·
Root cause analysis and troubleshooting


·
Data mapping and transformation logic


·
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills









Required Qualifications


·
Hands-on mainframe development experience.


·
Strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and batch
processing.


·
Experience working with IDMS or comparable
mainframe database technologies.


·
Experience with VSAM datasets and
file-processing applications.


·
Demonstrated experience supporting application
integrations and data exchange processes.


·
Experience analyzing and modifying legacy
systems.


·
Strong verbal and written communication skills.


·
Ability to work independently and
collaboratively in a team environment.


Preferred Qualifications


·
Experience supporting Child Support Enforcement
systems or Human Services programs.


·
Experience with eligibility systems, public
assistance systems, or government modernization initiatives.


·
Experience with large-scale legacy modernization
projects.


·
Knowledge of production support, release
management, and deployment practices.


·
Experience working in Agile or hybrid project
environments.


Success Criteria


The selected candidate will successfully:


·
Deliver high-quality mainframe code and
interface enhancements.


·
Support reliable data exchange between ICAR and
EDEN.


·
Minimize disruption during legacy-to-modern
system transition activities.


·
Contribute to successful testing, deployment,
and production support efforts.


·
Maintain system stability while enabling
modernization objectives.

Skills:

	Skill	Required / Desired	Amount	of Experience	Expertise Rating	Move
	COBOL programming	Required		Years
	JCL (Job Control Language)	Required		Years
	VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities	Required		Years
	IDMS database development and support	Required		Years
	Batch processing development and support	Required		Years
	Flat file design and parsing	Required		Years
	Data transformation and interface mapping	Required		Years
	GDG management and dataset lifecycle administration	Required		Years
	FTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting	Required		Years
	File transfer automation	Required		Years
	Scheduling tools such as: CA7, Control-M, Equivalent enterprise scheduling platforms	Required		Years
	Legacy system modernization experience	Required		Years
	Multi-system data integration and interface support	Required		Years
	Technical specification interpretation	Required		Years
	Root cause analysis and troubleshooting	Required		Years
	Data mapping and transformation logic	Required		Years
	Strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and batch processing.	Required		Years
	Experience working with IDMS or comparable mainframe database technologies.	Required		Years
	Experience with VSAM datasets and file-processing applications.	Required		Years
	Demonstrated experience supporting application integrations and data exchange processes	Required		Years
	Experience analyzing and modifying legacy systems.	Required		Years
	Strong verbal and written communication skills.	Required		Years
	Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.	Required		Years
	Experience supporting Child Support Enforcement systems or Human Services programs.	Highly desired
	Experience with eligibility systems, public assistance systems, or government modernization initiatives.	Highly desired
	Experience with large-scale legacy modernization projects.	Highly desired
	Knowledge of production support, release management, and deployment practices.	Highly desired
	Experience working in Agile or hybrid project environments.	Highly desired