Description and Requirements Job Summary MetLife is seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer to lead technical design and delivery for mission-critical mainframe applications supporting high-volume financial and payment systems. The role will focus on modernizing COBOL programs, optimizing z/OS performance, and enabling API integration through IBM z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition (EE), while ensuring reliability, security, and compliance across the PCTS, GPAY, and FMS platforms.
Key Responsibilities Design, develop, and optimize COBOL applications on z/OS, leveraging Enterprise COBOL 6.x features for performance and maintainability.
Build and deploy RESTful APIs using IBM z/OS Connect EE: map copybooks/DFHCOMMAREA or CICS channels/containers to JSON; configure CICS IPIC connections; integrate with APIC/MQ.
Author and maintain JCL, batch utilities (IDCAMS/DFSORT), and CICS transactions; ensure robust restart/recovery strategies and data integrity across DB2/VSAM.
Implement and enforce RACF security for datasets, transactions, and API endpoints, partnering with platform/security teams on certificates and OAuth flows.
Collaborate on workload scheduling (OPC/IBM Z Workload Scheduler) and release/change management, including lower-to-prod promotion and cutover/backout planning.
Drive engineering best practices: code reviews, automated testing, documentation, runbooks, and operational readiness (monitoring/alerting, incident response).
Mentor and upskill engineers; lead KT sessions and foster consistent Agile/SDLC practices across onshore/offshore teams.
Core Requirement - IBM z/OS Connect EE Demonstrated hands-on expertise building and operating IBM z/OS Connect EE services and APIs using IDz/z/OS Connect projects.
Proficiency mapping mainframe data structures (copybooks/DFHCOMMAREA or CICS channels/containers) to JSON schemas and validating request/response payloads.
Configuration experience for CICS IPIC connections, environment-specific endpoints/ports, APIC backend routing, OAuth/JWT, and certificate/keyring management.
Troubleshooting experience across lower and production environments (e.g., BAQR* errors, authorization/JSON format issues) using logs/traces and collaboration with platform teams.
Required Qualifications - 7+ years of mainframe development on z/OS with deep experience in COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and common utilities (IDCAMS/DFSORT).
- Strong command of TSO/ISPF, SDSF, dataset management, SMF awareness, and production debugging/troubleshooting.
- Experience with workload scheduling (OPC/TWS), recovery design, and change/release procedures.
- Practical Agile/Scrum experience and SDLC compliance in regulated environments; strong written communication and documentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications - Exposure to IBM MQ, API/messaging integration, or Red Hat/IBM CP4I (WMB/IIB modernization).
- Production experience designing, deploying, and operating IBM z/OS Connect EE APIs/services integrated with CICS, APIC/MQ, and enterprise security (OAuth/RACF/certificates).
- Proven success migrating/recompiling programs to Enterprise COBOL 6.x and applying tuning/optimization techniques.
- Familiarity with AI tools (examples include GitHub and Co-pilot).
- Experience with compiler optimization reports, RMF/SMF traces, JES/SDSF job stats, and LE runtime tuning.
- Test automation experience for mainframe components and API contracts; CI/CD practices adapted for z/OS.
Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role
requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.
The expected salary range for this position is $100,000 - $135,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces , as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For , MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$100,000 - $135,000
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