Mainframe Database Migration Specialist

We are looking for a highly experienced Mainframe Database Migration Specialist to support the client on a critical, time-sensitive enterprise data migration initiative. This consultant will analyze existing mainframe applications, databases, files, and batch workflows; develop extraction and conversion processes; modify COBOL programs and JCL; support FTP/SFTP transmission processes; and ensure the successful migration of IMS and legacy data assets to target platforms. The ideal candidate must be able to work independently, quickly assess complex legacy environments, troubleshoot migration issues, and deliver high-quality results under aggressive project timelines.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of Mainframe Development experience.
• Expert-level COBOL programming experience.
• Strong JCL development, modification, and troubleshooting experience.
• Extensive IMS Database experience.
• Hands-on experience with BMC Utilities for IMS.
• Experience designing, developing, and executing large-scale data extraction and conversion processes.
• Experience analyzing mainframe applications, databases, files, copybooks, layouts, and batch processing workflows.
• Experience modifying COBOL programs to support extraction, transformation, validation, reconciliation, and conversion requirements.
• Strong understanding of FTP/SFTP file transfer processes for secure migration file transmission.
• Experience with data mapping, field-level transformation logic, data conversion specifications, validation, and reconciliation.
• Proven experience supporting enterprise data migration, modernization, or legacy system conversion initiatives.
• Ability to troubleshoot batch failures, abends, data discrepancies, and migration performance issues.
• Experience creating technical documentation, migration runbooks, implementation procedures, and production support documentation.
• Ability to support migration testing, system integration testing, user acceptance testing, production cutover, and post-implementation stabilization.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience with File-AID.
• Experience with EZtrieve.
• Experience with CLIST and REXX automation.
• Prior experience with legacy modernization or cloud migration projects.
• Experience supporting financial services, insurance, healthcare, or government mainframe environments.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work closely with DBAs, architects, business analysts, developers, and project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze existing mainframe applications, databases, files, and batch processing workflows to support migration activities.
• Design, develop, and execute data extraction processes from IMS databases and legacy mainframe data sources.
• Create, modify, and support JCL required for data extracts, file transfers, conversion processing, and migration testing.
• Perform COBOL program analysis and code modifications to support data extraction, transformation, validation, and reconciliation.
• Review and update FTP/SFTP processes to support secure file movement between source and target environments.
• Use IMS utilities and BMC Utilities for IMS to unload, extract, validate, and reconcile database content.
• Develop and execute data validation and reconciliation procedures to ensure data integrity throughout the migration lifecycle.
• Support file mapping, field-level transformation logic, and data conversion specifications.
• Troubleshoot batch failures, abends, data discrepancies, and performance issues related to migration processing.
• Collaborate with database administrators, architects, business analysts, and project teams to define migration requirements and resolve technical challenges.
• Create technical documentation, migration runbooks, implementation procedures, and production support documentation.
• Participate in migration testing, system integration testing, user acceptance testing, and production implementation activities.
• Provide production support during migration cutover and post-implementation stabilization.
• Identify opportunities for automation using CLIST, REXX, File-AID, and other mainframe utilities.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise change management, security, and audit requirements.

If interested, please apply with resume.