COBOL / Mainframe Application Engineer

Job Role: COBOL / Mainframe Application Engineer

Location: McLean, VA 22102

Job Description:

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills

Core Mainframe Technologies

• Strong hands-on experience with COBOL (batch and online programs)
• Experience with JCL for batch job scheduling and execution
• Proficiency in CICS for online transaction processing
• Strong working knowledge of DB2 (SQL, performance tuning, data access)
• Familiarity with VSAM files and datasets

Mainframe Environment

• Experience working on IBM z/OS environments
• Understanding of batch processing, scheduling, and job monitoring
• Experience with tools such as Endevor, Changeman, or similar SCM tools
• Knowledge of debugging, performance tuning, and abend resolution

Banking / Credit Union Systems

• Experience working in financial services or credit union domains
• Exposure to core banking systems (e.g., Hogan, FIS, Fiserv, or equivalent)
• Understanding of transaction integrity, audit controls, and regulatory compliance

Integration & Modernization (Good to Have)

• Experience integrating mainframe systems with distributed or cloud platforms
• Knowledge of APIs, MQ, file transfers, or middleware integrations
• Exposure to modernization initiatives (COBOL refactoring, hybrid architectures)

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design, develop, enhance, and support COBOL-based mainframe applications
• Perform impact analysis, coding, unit testing, and implementation of changes
• Support mission-critical batch and online processing systems
• Ensure application stability, performance, and availability in production
• Troubleshoot and resolve production incidents, including root-cause analysis
• Collaborate with business analysts, QA teams, and infrastructure partners
• Participate in release management, change control, and audit activities
• Maintain and enhance documentation, technical standards, and runbooks
• Support regulatory, compliance, and security requirements specific to credit unions
• Assist with modernization efforts and integration with newer platforms

Generic Managerial Skills, If any

• Equivalent practical experience in mainframe application development is acceptable

Certifications are a plus:

• IBM Mainframe / zOS certifications
• Banking or Core Systems certifications (FIS, Hogan, etc.)

Generic Managerial Skill:

• Strong communication skills for interaction with business and IT stakeholders
• Ability to work independently in a highly regulated, risk-aware environment
• Mentoring junior developers and sharing mainframe best practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery models
• Ownership mindset for production stability and service continuity