Mainframe Developer

Client: Vanguard (Via TCS)
Location: Malvern, PA (Hybrid/Onsite expectation – typical Vanguard model)
Rate: $45 – $50/hr (W2/C2C – depending on vendor agreement)
Experience Required: 8+ years overall IT experience (minimum 5–6 years strong hands-on Mainframe development)

🔎 What The Client Actually Needs (Market Reality)

Vanguard typically looks for strong hands-on COBOL Mainframe developers who can:

• Work on high-volume financial and retirement systems

• Support enhancements + production support + modernization initiatives

• Handle batch processing and data movement between legacy and distributed systems

• Work in Agile teams interacting with business stakeholders

This is NOT operations support only — they want someone who can code, analyze, and support production defects.

✅ Core Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Mainframe applications supporting Vanguard financial platforms.

• Develop and enhance applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and CICS.

• Analyze business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.

• Perform batch job development, scheduling, and troubleshooting.

• Support data integration between Mainframe and distributed/cloud platforms.

• Provide production support, defect resolution, and performance tuning.

• Participate in code reviews, system testing, and release deployments.

• Collaborate with cross-functional Agile teams including business analysts and QA teams.

✅ Mandatory Technical Skills (What Vanguard/TCS Actually Screen For)

Mainframe Development

• COBOL (Required – heavy coding expected)

• JCL

• DB2 (Stored Procedures, SQL tuning)

• VSAM

• CICS (Online transaction processing)

Batch & Processing Tools

• Batch job scheduling (CA7 / Control-M / Autosys)

• File processing & data transformation

Development Environment

• Endevor or Changeman or ISPW

• TSO/ISPF

• File-AID or equivalent tools

Testing & Debugging

• Unit Testing

• Debugging using Abend-AID or Xpediter

⭐ Preferred / Nice-To-Have Skills (Often Seen in Vanguard Roles)

• Experience working in Financial Services / Banking / Retirement / Wealth Management

• Exposure to Mainframe modernization or API integration

• Experience integrating Mainframe with Java / Middleware / Cloud platforms

• Agile/Scrum experience

🎯 Experience Breakdown (Realistic Client Expectation)

🧠 Soft Skills Vanguard Strongly Values

• Strong analytical & troubleshooting ability

• Ability to work in regulated financial environments

• Good communication with business teams

• Ownership mindset for production support