Principal Mainframe Engineer

job summary:

Industry Experience: Direct background within the Financial Services / Banking / Capital Markets (FS) sector, working with payments, core banking, lending, or securities systems.

Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives (e.g., RESTful web services/APIs via z/OS Connect, mainframe integration with hybrid cloud systems).

Familiarity with modern DevSecOps tools for mainframe (e.g., Git, Jenkins, SonarQube, ISPW, or Compuware/BMC AMI DevX).

location: Roanoke, Texas
job type: Contract
salary: $63 - 64 per hour
work hours: 8am to 5pm
education: Bachelors
responsibilities:

Architecture & Technical Leadership: Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for mainframe application architecture, setting coding standards, batch scheduling strategies, and high-performance database access patterns.

System Design & Development: Design, build, test, and deploy robust, high-throughput enterprise applications using COBOL, JCL, VSAM, and CICS.

Database & Query Optimization: Architect, optimize, and tune relational database queries and stored procedures in DB2, identifying and eliminating performance bottlenecks in heavy transactional workloads.

Batch Automation & Scheduling: Architect and maintain enterprise-grade batch workflows and dependencies using Control-M, ensuring minimal batch window duration and high SLA compliance.

Online Transaction Processing: Develop and troubleshoot high-availability CICS online transaction programs, ensuring low latency and sub-second response times.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Translate complex business requirements into clear technical designs, communicating effectively with both technical peers and non-technical business partners.

Modernization & Quality Assurance: Drive platform modernization, API enablement, CI/CD adoption where applicable, and mentor mid-to-senior engineers through thorough code and design reviews.

qualifications:

Experience: Minimum 10+ years of hands-on mainframe application engineering experience (verified depth in legacy enterprise environments).

Core Mainframe Technologies:

Expert-level proficiency in COBOL and JCL (Job Control Language).

Strong experience in online processing using CICS (including transaction debugging and abend resolution).

Extensive hands-on experience with DB2 for z/OS (complex SQL writing, performance tuning, indexing, and EXPLAIN analysis).

Deep knowledge of VSAM file structures, access methods, and performance considerations.

Workload Automation: Proven experience scheduling, managing, and troubleshooting batch production jobs using BMC Control-M.

Debugging & Tooling: Proficient with debugging utilities (e.g., Expeditor, Abend-AID, File-AID, or Fault Analyzer).

Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to bridge technical architecture and business needs across diverse stakeholder groups.

skills:

API,APIs,application architecture,COBOL,CI/CD,Control-M,CICS,Database,DevSecOps tools,enterprise applications,File-AID,Git,hybrid cloud,DB2,indexing,Jenkins,JCL,Job Control Language,low latency,Mainframe,Mainframe Technologies,Online Transaction Processing,online transaction,performance tuning,Query Optimization,relational database,RESTful web services,SQL,stored procedures,coding standards,debugging,SonarQube,VSAM,z/OS,communicating effectively,Communication,Strong communication skills,troubleshoot,reliability,high-performance,Collaboration,Automation,Banking,batch production,business requirements,business needs,Capital Markets,core banking,file structures,securities,online systems,Financial Services,mentor,Quality Assurance,security,Scheduling,technical architecture,Technical Leadership,Tooling,workflows

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.
At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact
Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).
This posting is open for thirty (30) days.