What are the responsibilities and job description for the COBOL / Mainframe Application Engineer position at Ztek Consulting?
Job Role: COBOL / Mainframe Application Engineer
Location: McLean, VA 22102
Job Description:
Must Have Technical/Functional Skills
Core Mainframe Technologies
- Strong hands-on experience with COBOL (batch and online programs)
- Experience with JCL for batch job scheduling and execution
- Proficiency in CICS for online transaction processing
- Strong working knowledge of DB2 (SQL, performance tuning, data access)
- Familiarity with VSAM files and datasets
Mainframe Environment
- Experience working on IBM z/OS environments
- Understanding of batch processing, scheduling, and job monitoring
- Experience with tools such as Endevor, Changeman, or similar SCM tools
- Knowledge of debugging, performance tuning, and abend resolution
Banking / Credit Union Systems
- Experience working in financial services or credit union domains
- Exposure to core banking systems (e.g., Hogan, FIS, Fiserv, or equivalent)
- Understanding of transaction integrity, audit controls, and regulatory compliance
Integration & Modernization (Good to Have)
- Experience integrating mainframe systems with distributed or cloud platforms
- Knowledge of APIs, MQ, file transfers, or middleware integrations
- Exposure to modernization initiatives (COBOL refactoring, hybrid architectures)
Roles & Responsibilities
- Design, develop, enhance, and support COBOL-based mainframe applications
- Perform impact analysis, coding, unit testing, and implementation of changes
- Support mission-critical batch and online processing systems
- Ensure application stability, performance, and availability in production
- Troubleshoot and resolve production incidents, including root-cause analysis
- Collaborate with business analysts, QA teams, and infrastructure partners
- Participate in release management, change control, and audit activities
- Maintain and enhance documentation, technical standards, and runbooks
- Support regulatory, compliance, and security requirements specific to credit unions
- Assist with modernization efforts and integration with newer platforms
Generic Managerial Skills, If any
- Equivalent practical experience in mainframe application development is acceptable
Certifications are a plus:
- IBM Mainframe / zOS certifications
- Banking or Core Systems certifications (FIS, Hogan, etc.)
Generic Managerial Skill:
- Strong communication skills for interaction with business and IT stakeholders
- Ability to work independently in a highly regulated, risk-aware environment
- Mentoring junior developers and sharing mainframe best practices
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience working in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery models
- Ownership mindset for production stability and service continuity
Salary : $120,000 - $160,000