Mainframe Developer

Mainframe Developer:

Job Description:

As a Consultant, Application Developer, working on mainframe applications, you will work on maintaining, modernizing, and decommissioning legacy mainframe systems with Shared Platform Technology domain. Your role will involve analyzing existing COBOL and DB2 based applications, designing modernization strategies, and integrating these systems with modern backends using APIs and messaging solutions. The role collaborates with developers, architects and infrastructure specialists to gather requirements and conduct research to evaluate the application of new and emerging tools and techniques, identifying patterns and best practices to consider in technology proposals while anticipating long term business issues.

What Youll Be Doing

As a Consultant, Mainframe Development you will be joining CIBC’s Shared Platform Technology

Services ECIS team, to be responsible for the design, development, and modernization of mainframe code related to the suite of mainframe applications under ECIS.

• Legacy System Maintenance & Enhancement – Support and enhance existing mainframe applications, ensuring stability, performance, and compliance.
• Modernization & Decommissioning – Develop strategies to migrate or decommission legacy systems, ensuring minimal business disruption.
• API & Messaging Integration – Enable mainframe applications to interact with modern platforms using RESTful APIs, gRPC, and messaging systems (Solace).
• Data Migration & Transformation – Extract, transform, and load (ETL) legacy data from DB2 to modern databases while ensuring data integrity.
• Performance Optimization – Improve system efficiency by optimizing COBOL programs, SQL queries and batch jobs.
• Cloud & DevOps Enablement – Support cloud migration strategies in Azure and OpenShift, leveraging DevOps pipelines for automation.
• Collaboration & Agile Delivery – Work with cross-functional teams, participate in SDLC and Agile processes for development and code reviews.

How You’ll Succeed

• Strong Mainframe Expertise – Deep knowledge of COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, and other legacy technologies.
• Modernization & Integration – Experience with integration of mainframe applications with microservices and message-based communication using IBM zOS Connect or similar for hybrid environments.
• Data & Performance Optimization – Ability to refactor COBOL programs, optimize DB2 queries, and manage batch processing efficiency.
• Problem-Solving Mindset – Analytical approach to troubleshooting, debugging, and optimizing mainframe applications.
• Communication & Collaboration – Strong ability to work with business and technical teams, ensuring alignment of modernization initiatives.
• Domain Expertise: Bring deep knowledge of client data management systems and the complexities of maintaining PII and consent compliance.

Who You Are

• Experience Mainframe Developer – You have 5+  years of experience in MF COBOL mainframe programming. You have strong knowledge of: IMS DB/DC, DB2, JCL, MQ, FTP, INSYNC, Syncsort, EASYTRIEVE, Tracemaster. You have experience with ENDEVOR, Jira or Confluence, CA7, TSO and/or other build & deploy tools.
• Nice to have:  MFS or GDF or any other screen formatting/messaging to HOST
• API & Messaging Integration Specialist – Hands-on experience connecting mainframe systems to modern application using APIs (gRPC/REST), Solace etc.
• Cloud & DevOps Enthusiast – Exposure to Azure cloud, Kubernetes, and DevOps pipelines for legacy system modernization.
• Security & Compliance Focused – Understanding of data protection, authentication and regulatory compliance in mainframe applications.
• Continuous Learner – Passionate about learning new technologies and best practices in legacy system modernization.
• You embrace and champion change. You are passionate about being on top of technological trends. You will continuously evolve your thinking and the way you work to deliver your best.
• You act like an owner. You thrive when you are empowered to take the lead, go above and beyond, and deliver results.
• You have a degree/diploma: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or Technical discipline.