Cobol Programmer

Duration: 12 Months Contract

Location: Hybrid New York City, New York

Interview: Video

The Programmer for Mainframe Systems will support, enhance, and maintain missioncritical applications that underpin the MNR Crew Management System (CMS). This role focuses on daily operational stability, feature development, and data integrations across upstream and downstream systems. The programmer will also lead data migration activities associated with transitioning CMS to its modern replacement platform.
This position is critical to ensuring reliable railroad operations and continuity of essential data flows used for payroll, FRA reporting, crew scheduling, and other regulatory and operational functions.

Key Responsibilities
Core Application Support
Maintain, support, and enhance legacy mainframe applications supporting the MNR Crew Management System.
Monitor and troubleshoot daily batch jobs, interfaces, and workflows to ensure stable and reliable system operations.
Load and validate new crew schedules within CMS.
Diagnose and resolve production issues to prevent operational disruptions across connected systems.

Data Integrations & Reporting
Manage data interfaces between CMS and other MTA systems, including Kronos (payroll) and PeopleSoft.
Oversee data extracts that feed into the enterprise data lake and downstream reporting environments.
Develop, modify, and generate operational and regulatory reports for FRA, IG, and additional stakeholders.
Ensure accurate, timely delivery of critical data to downstream systems.

Data Migration & Modernization
Develop the strategy and execution plan for migrating historical CMS data into the new, modern Crew Management System.
Validate migrated data to ensure completeness, accuracy, and readiness for future operational use.
Collaborate with IT, business teams, and modernization project leadership to ensure seamless transition.

Systems Reliability & Maintenance
Perform routine system maintenance and enhancement work to ensure optimal performance and uptime.
Support business continuity by documenting processes, workflows, and integrations.
Provide knowledge transfer and system expertise to IT team members and project stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
10+ years of experience in application development, preferably supporting mainframe environments or legacy enterprise systems.
Strong understanding of batch processing, interface workflows, and data integrations.
Experience with operational reporting and regulatory reporting requirements.
Ability to troubleshoot complex production issues under timesensitive conditions.
Experience supporting missioncritical or operationally sensitive systems.
Familiarity with largescale data migration efforts is strongly preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in transportation, logistics, or crew management systems.
Experience working with Kronos, PeopleSoft, or similar enterprise systems.
Knowledge of FRA Hours of Service reporting or other regulated reporting domains.