IBM Mainframe Lead Developer

Role name: Senior Developer – IBM z/OS Connect Mainframe Lead 
Work site: Columbus, OH or Nashville, TN (both locations would be for onsite work), US (ONSITE)

Job Type: C2C/W2/1099



Role Summary
The Senior Developer – IBM z/OS Connect is responsible for exposing mainframe-based services (CICS, IMS, DB2, COBOL) as RESTful APIs using IBM z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition (EE). This role plays a key part in mainframe modernization, enabling digital, cloud, and API-based consumption of trusted system-of-record data while ensuring performance, security, and reliability.
The role combines deep z/OS technical expertise with modern API and integration practices, and often acts as a technical lead for mainframe API initiatives.
Job location: Columbus, OH or Nashville, TN (both locations would be for on site work)
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Key Responsibilities
z/OS Connect & API Development
• Design, develop, and deploy REST APIs using IBM z/OS Connect EE.
• Expose CICS, IMS, COBOL, and DB2 assets as reusable services.
• Create and maintain service and API specifications (Swagger/OpenAPI).
• Implement request/response mappings using JSON, data binding, and API descriptors.
• Support synchronous and asynchronous service interactions.
Mainframe Integration
• Develop and maintain COBOL programs and interface logic to support APIs.
• Integrate APIs with CICS Transactions, IMS Transactions, and DB2 stored procedures.
• Collaborate with application teams to refactor or enable programs for API exposure.
• Ensure minimal impact to legacy workloads and SLAs.
Security & Governance
• Implement API security controls including:
o RACF-based authentication and authorization
o TLS/SSL configuration
o Integration with enterprise IAM and API gateways
• Apply enterprise API governance standards including naming, versioning, and error handling.
• Support auditing, logging, and compliance requirements.
Performance & Reliability
• Tune z/OS Connect middleware for throughput, latency, and scalability.
• Troubleshoot issues across z/OS Connect, CICS/IMS, and network layers.
• Ensure APIs meet availability and resiliency standards.
• Monitor and analyze SMF, logs, and performance metrics.
DevOps & Modernization Support
• Support CI/CD pipelines for mainframe-based APIs.
• Participate in automation initiatives using tools such as urban Code, Jenkins, Git, or Ansible.
• Assist in modernization programs integrating z/OS with cloud and distributed platforms.
• Promote API-first thinking within traditional mainframe development teams.
Technical Leadership
• Serve as a subject matter expert for z/OS Connect and mainframe APIs.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to junior developers.
• Participate in design reviews and modernization planning.
• Collaborate with architects, API platform teams, and distributed application teams.
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Required Qualifications
Mainframe & z/OS Expertise
• 7+ years of experience in z/OS mainframe development.
• Strong experience with COBOL, JCL, and z/OS utilities.
• Hands-on experience with CICS and/or IMS.
• DB2 SQL and stored procedure experience.
z/OS Connect & APIs
• 3+ years of experience with IBM z/OS Connect EE.
• Strong understanding of RESTful API design and JSON data formats.
• Experience creating and consuming OpenAPI/Swagger definitions.
• Familiarity with API lifecycle management concepts.
Middleware & Security
• Experience with WebSphere Liberty on z/OS.
• Knowledge of RACF, TLS, certificates, and mainframe security principles.
• Understanding of network concepts relevant to API communication.
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Preferred Qualifications
• Experience integrating z/OS APIs with API gateways (Apigee, Azure APIM, DataPower, etc.).
• Exposure to cloud or hybrid integration architectures.
• Experience with DevOps for mainframe and automation tooling.
• IBM certifications related to z/OS, CICS, or z/OS Connect.
• Background in regulated industries (banking, insurance, government).
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Soft Skills
• Strong communication skills across mainframe and distributed teams.
• Ability to bridge legacy systems with modern digital platforms.
• Analytical problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in complex, enterprise-scale environments.