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# Lead Mainframe Application Developer

- **Company:** TSQ SYSTEMS INC
- **Location:** United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Applications Architecture, Batch Processing, Customer Information Control System (CICS), COBOL (Programming Language), Code Review, Data Integrity, IBM DB2, Distributed Systems, File Transfer, Job Control Language (JCL), Job Scheduling, Mainframes, Performance Tuning, Software Engineering, Virtual Storage Access Methods, Web Services, Z/OS, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Integration Tests
- **Published:** July 17, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/6a9a9f05-472a-4321-add8-668fe574ea62

## About the Role

* Experience in mainframe application development
 * Proficiency in COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and related technologies
 * Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams
 * Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
 * Excellent communication and collaboration abilities

Preferred Skills:

 * Experience with modernizing legacy mainframe applications
 * Knowledge of cloud mainframe strategies
 * Certifications in mainframe technologies

## Description

This position involves leading the design, development, and implementation of complex mainframe applications and batches on z/OS platforms. The Lead Mainframe Application Developer will ensure high performance, reliability, and scalability across business-critical systems., * Act as technical lead for mainframe teams - oversee coding, code reviews, unit/integration testing, deployment, and production support of applications using COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and related technologies.

 * Collaborate with business analysts and stakeholders to gather functional requirements, define technical specifications, impact analysis, and translate them into mainframe design and deliverables.
 * Develop and maintain application architecture, defining standards, frameworks, reusable components, and driving best practices for mainframe development and lifecycle management.
 * Monitor and optimize system performance: tune COBOL programs, batch jobs, DB2 queries, CICS transactions, minimize job runtimes, manage resource utilization, and ensure SLA compliance.
 * Lead modernization initiatives: migrate legacy mainframe applications to newer architectures, integrate with distributed systems, implement APIs, support hybrid or cloud mainframe strategies.
 * Manage batch processing cycles, production job scheduling, operational support hand-offs, and ensure smooth delivery of end-of-day, month-end, or critical business runs.
 * Provide leadership for technical teams including mentoring junior developers, reviewing code, facilitating design sessions, delivering training, and fostering a continuous improvement culture.
 * Oversee integration between mainframe applications and other systems via messaging, web services, file transfers, FTP/SFTP, ensuring data integrity, robustness, and performance.


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