> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2733620-zowe-open-mainframe-platform-technical-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2733620-zowe-open-mainframe-platform-technical-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Zowe & Open Mainframe Platform - Technical Lead - **Company:** ConnectedX, Inc. - **Location:** Frisco, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Application Frameworks, Application Lifecycle Management, Microsoft Azure, Bash Shell, Unix, Customer Information Control System (CICS), COBOL (Programming Language), Continuous Integration, IBM DB2, Linux, DevOps, Github, Job Control Language (JCL), Rexx (Programming Language), Identity and Access Management, IntelliJ IDEA, Job Entry Subsystem 2/3, Python (Programming Language), Mainframes, Node.Js, OpenID, IBM Resource Access Control Facility, Broadcom, Ansible, Pl/i, Runbook, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), Service Discovery, Single Sign-On, Systems Integration, TypeScript, Virtual Storage Access Methods, Z/OS, Openapi, Tso/ispf, Scripting, Flexi (Photoshop Plugin), System Availability, HybridCloud, Git, Kotlin, Git Flow, Kubernetes, CIS Benchmarks, Api Gateway, Restful APIs, Jenkins - **Published:** September 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/jobad/us47bcf34e1985efd2cabf27e5348f6c0a ## About the Role * Deep working knowledge of IBM z/OS: TSO/ISPF, JES2/JES3, datasets vs. USS, JCL, SDSF or equivalent, and z/OSMF. * Production experience with Zowe: API Mediation Layer, CLI, Desktop/App Framework, and at least one IDE extension (Zowe Explorer for VS Code or IntelliJ). * REST API design and operations: OpenAPI, gateways, service discovery, authentication/authorization, and troubleshooting TLS and identity issues. * Mainframe security fundamentals: RACF (or ACF2/Top Secret), certificates, keyrings, SAF calls, and how Zowe components authenticate to z/OS. * DevOps on or to the mainframe: Git-based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, artifact promotion, and automated job submit/verify. * Scripting and integration languages used around Zowe: one or more of TypeScript/JavaScript, Java, Python, Kotlin, REXX, or Bash; comfort reading Zowe docs and logs. * Ability to stand up and harden Linux or z/OS Unix environments that host or consume Zowe services. * Clear written communication: architecture decision records, runbooks, and enablement material for mixed-skill audiences. * 10+ years in enterprise platforms or mainframe engineering, including 3+ years leading technical workstreams (architecture, delivery, or both). Preferred skills: * Contributions to, or close following of, the Open Mainframe Project / Zowe community (issues, extensions, mentorship, conformance). * Zowe LTS v2 or v3 upgrades in a regulated environment; experience with IBM Z Distribution for Zowe or vendor-supported builds. * Ansible collections for z/OS, ZOWE CLI in pipelines, or Jenkins/GitHub Actions plug-ins that call z/OSMF or Zowe APIs. * CICS, IMS, Db2, MQ, or VSAM modernization via APIs; familiarity with z/OS Connect or similar API enablement products. * VS Code extension or internal plug-in development; client SDKs (Java, Node, Kotlin, Python). * Hybrid-cloud patterns: connecting z/OS APIs to Kubernetes, API gateways, or enterprise IAM (OIDC/SAML). * COBOL/PL/I application lifecycle awareness sufficient to advise teams not required to be a primary application programmer. * ITIL/SRE practices for a platform service: SLOs, change windows, observability of API ML and Zowe servers. ## Description We are hiring a Technical Lead for Zowe and related open-mainframe capabilities. You will own the strategy and hands-on delivery of modern interfaces to z/OS API Mediation Layer, Zowe CLI, Desktop/Application Framework, Explorer integrations, and the surrounding security, automation, and CI/CD stack. You will set standards, mentor engineers, and make the mainframe usable by developers who work the way they already work on cloud and distributed platforms. This is a lead-developer role: you will design reference architectures, install and harden Zowe in enterprise environments, publish reusable patterns, and partner with application teams so datasets, JES, USS, and z/OS services are consumed through APIs, CLIs, and IDEs rather than only through 3270 workflows. Key responsibilities * Own the enterprise Zowe architecture: component selection, topology, high availability, certificate/SSO design, and upgrade path across LTS releases. * Lead installation, configuration, and operationalization of Zowe API Mediation Layer, Zowe CLI, Application Framework/Desktop, Zowe Explorer (VS Code / IntelliJ), and related SDKs. * Design and publish REST (and related) API patterns that expose z/OSMF, JES, MVS datasets, USS, and internal services through API ML with catalog, routing, and single sign-on. * Integrate Zowe into enterprise DevOps: Git, Jenkins/GitHub Actions/Azure DevOps, Ansible, pipeline jobs for compile, promote, submit, and verify on z/OS. * Define security baselines with RACF/SAF, TLS, certificates, identity providers, and least-privilege service accounts; complete audits and conformance reviews. * Establish a Zowe conformance and extension strategy evaluate vendor plug-ins, build internal extensions, and keep the platform vendor-agnostic where it matters. * Create golden paths, runbooks, and developer enablement: onboarding labs, CLI profiles, VS Code workspaces, and first job / first dataset tutorials. * Partner with application, MQ/CICS/Db2, and infrastructure teams to migrate high-value workflows off green-screen-only processes without breaking operational controls. * Track Open Mainframe Project and Zowe community releases, security advisories, and LTS cadence; plan upgrades and communicate impact. * Mentor mid-level engineers and new-to-mainframe developers; represent the platform in architecture reviews and with vendors (IBM, Broadcom, Rocket, and others). * Measure adoption: number of teams on Zowe CLI/Explorer, APIs in production, pipeline coverage, and mean time to onboard a new developer. ## Related Videos - [Coffee with Developers - Robby Russell](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/917-coffee-with-developers-robby-russell) - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Node and Package Security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2138-wearedevelopers-live-node-and-package-security) - [Building with IBM Bob](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100275-building-with-ibm-bob) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [The Time Paradox: Building Timezone-Safe Python/Django Applications](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1915-the-time-paradox-building-timezone-safe-python-django-applications) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Why Upskilling And Reskilling is Important For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/428-why-upskilling-and-reskilling-is-important-for-developers) - [The Best X (Twitter) Accounts for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/294-the-best-x-twitter-accounts-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [The Best Software Developer Blogs to Read](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/156-the-best-software-developer-blogs-to-read)