Engagement Manager - Cloud & Mainframe Modernization

We are seeking an Engagement Manager to lead a high-impact modernization project for a global financial institution’s payments application stack. This role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of a migration from mainframe-based COBOL systems to Java microservices—including strategy, planning, execution, and stakeholder management.

You will lead distributed teams, manage client expectations, and ensure the successful delivery of complex modernization programs leveraging agentic AI-driven automation to achieve cost savings and precision beyond traditional LLM-based tools.

• Lead end-to-end modernization projects from COBOL to Java microservices, ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Manage client relationships—expectation setting, participation, reporting, and crisis resolution.
• Partner with technical leads to define modernization strategies across application, data, and UI layers.
• Oversee migration execution, including code transformation, data migration, testing, and deployment.
• Guide teams in adopting cloud-native architectures, microservices best practices, and observability tools.
• Coordinate across global delivery teams (U.S. and India) and align efforts across time zones.
• Support delivery efforts for a major banking client with strong leverage of Agentic AI to modernize applications.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and support discussions with regulators as needed.
• Track progress, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement through post-mortems and feedback loops.

• 15 years in IT services or technology delivery, with 5 years managing enterprise-scale modernization or migration programs.
• Deep familiarity with mainframe environments: COBOL, JCL, PL/1, Fortran, RPG, VSAM, DB2, and CICS (or equivalent transaction monitors).
• Proven experience in Java and cloud-based microservices architectures (AWS).
• Understanding of cloud migration challenges, including data migration, network design, latency, security, and centralized observability.
• Expertise in microservices transformation—service boundaries, data ownership, distributed trust/security, and end-to-end testing.
• Experience with Payments or Financial Services systems (Wires, ACH, Checks, Clearing & Settlement).
• Familiarity with ISO 20022 MX message formats and regulatory requirements in banking.
• Strong background in application and platform migrations, including phased and hybrid strategies beyond “big bang” cutovers.
• Experience managing global cross-functional teams, particularly across U.S.–India time zones.
• Excellent communication, client management, and team management skills.

• Background in Capital Markets or other high-compliance financial domains.
• Conceptual understanding of Agentic AI and LLM-based automation in software development workflows.
• Exposure to banking platform migrations and interactions with regulatory bodies.

McLaren Strategic Solutions is a leading-edge global technology consulting firm, addressing critical challenges across industries such as retail, financial services, and healthcare. Integrating a powerful ecosystem of platforms with capital-efficient execution, McLaren specializes in digital transformation to help businesses optimize operations, accelerate revenue, and achieve scalable outcomes. McLaren’s expertise spans the development of customer-centric applications, modernizing systems for cost-effectiveness and security, and leveraging cloud scalability for future-ready architectures. With a deep commitment to operational excellence, McLaren provides comprehensive managed services, including application maintenance, cybersecurity, platform solutions, and AI-optimized operations, ensuring seamless, secure, and efficient performance.

From supply chain automation to compliance and analytics, McLaren drives measurable impact: improving workforce productivity, reducing inventory costs, and cutting technology ownership expenses. With its emphasis on automation and zero business downtime, McLaren facilitates seamless migrations from legacy systems to modern platforms, enabling organizations to harness the full potential of digital transformation. Backed by strategic partnerships and a proven delivery model, McLaren empowers clients to innovate, modernize, and achieve lasting success in today’s digital economy.

McLaren is a certified minority owned business through the NMSDC and has a mission to place more people from non-traditional backgrounds into sustainable technology careers. Through partnerships with non-profit technology programs in underserved communities and Veteran organizations, candidates transition from tech training programs into real IT careers at McLaren. Our unique recruitment policy allows us to create exceptional teams, bringing a broad spectrum of experience to our company and creating anything but a traditional consulting firm.

Visit McLaren Strategic Solutions to learn more!

Doran Jones Inc. is proud to be part of the McLaren Strategic Ventures Group.

Salary : $150,000 - $250,000