H-1B Visa Cobol Developer Jobs
COBOL developers remain in steady demand across banking, insurance, and federal agencies, sectors with long H-1B visa sponsorship track records. Employers filing an H-1B for this role must certify a prevailing wage through the DOL and classify the position under a specialty occupation SOC code before USCIS approves the petition.
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Note: This position will remain open until filled. It is at the hiring manager's discretion to make a hiring decision at any time and close the recruitment. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed daily. We anticipate interviews to begin the week of July 13, 2026.
Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows teleworking. However, you must reside in the state of Washington and travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.
Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian. If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!
The job opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer to support the critical statewide mainframe accounting system, Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), and Capital Asset Management System (CAMS). In this role, the work performed ensures that AFRS and CAMS remain operational, compliant with evolving state and federal legislative requirements, and changes as required by business are implemented. You have an opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding the reliability and performance of systems that underpin core governmental operations.
As a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer, you will independently design, develop, test, maintain, and support enterprise-level mainframe accounting applications written in COBOL, CICS, and JCL. Your responsibilities include implementing system changes as required by the legislature, business, and WaTech’s contracted mainframe hosting and managed service provider, resolving complex production issues, and translating detailed business and legislative requirements into technical solutions. This role demands strong analytical skills, disciplined testing practices, and the ability to sustain high-availability, mission-critical environments where precision and stability are essential.
This opportunity is ideal for a technical professional who thrives in complex computing environments and values meaningful impact. If you are motivated to solve complex problems and deliver resilient solutions that matter at scale, this role offers both challenge and purpose.
What you’ll work on
- Provide expert consultation and specialized analysis, design, development, programming, testing, troubleshooting, and/or problem resolution for the AFRS mainframe application, which is a high-risk/high-impact and mission-critical application written in the COBOL programming language.
- Develop and maintain batch and online applications.
- Develop and maintain JCL (Job Control Language) and support CICS-based online applications.
- Work with IBM z/OS environments, DB2 and/or VSAM file structures.
- Apply knowledge of development and processes to advise teams on the readiness of software applications to be implemented in a production environment and is knowledgeable of the effect that modifications have on related systems.
- Analyze all technical system change decisions; identify probable resulting outcomes and provide feedback to the work unit/team members and business owner.
- Solve software/hardware problems, including defining and analyzing the problem, performing impact analysis, identifying and testing solutions, choosing and implementing the best solution, documenting the changes as needed, and evaluating the outcome.
- Develop and implement standards, methods, tools, procedures, and processes.
- Review, monitor, and report development progress and results following established standards, guidelines, and procedures.
- Serve as a technical mentor to other system developers in resolving complex technical issues.
- Use bug tracking tools such as Azure DevOps, Excel, and Microsoft Word to create spreadsheets, log issues and bugs, and create documentation.
- Produce and ensure that internal technical and procedural documentation is current.
- Follow IT change and release management processes.
- Analyze business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
- Modify existing programs to enhance functionality or resolve defects.
- Take independent action to correct problems encountered during systems operations, 24/7.
- Provide level 2/3 support, monitor, and resolve production incidents. Work closely with System Analysts to resolve customer-reported production issues.
- Troubleshoot batch failures and performance issues.
- Participate in after-hours standby rotation.
- Perform unit testing and support integration/system testing.
- Participate in defect resolution and root cause analysis.
- Ensure adherence to coding standards and secure coding practices.
What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:
- Recent application development experience in a mainframe environment using COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, IBM z/OS.
- Expertise in COBOL (batch and online programs), including debugging and performance tuning.
- Strong experience with structured programming and legacy code maintenance.
- Advanced ability to write, modify, and troubleshoot JCL.
- Strong ability to manage batch jobs, datasets, and utilities.
- Strong understanding of job scheduling concepts.
- Ability to develop and maintain CICS online transactions.
- Understanding of VSAM and file handling – KSDS, ESDS, RRDS file structures, file definitions, and access methods.
- Strong mainframe environment knowledge (z/OS Operating System – Dataset management, ISPF usage, etc.; Utilities and Tools – SORT utilities, File-AID, etc.; Job Scheduling Tools – CA-7, etc.; Source Management – Endevor).
- Ability to perform unit, integration, regression testing, and code reviews.
- Ability to independently perform after-hours standby support.
- Advanced ability to problem-solve in legacy environments.
- Strong analytical skills/ability to research issues and find root cause.
- Strong documentation experience.
- Strong verbal and written communications.
- Ability to learn complex processes and information quickly.
- Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, customer service, and working under tight deadlines.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to meet the needs of others.
Desired Qualifications:
- Degree in Computer Science or related area (Mathematics, Engineering, Database Design).
- Washington State mainframe environment experience.
- Knowledge of the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
- Understanding of DB2 for z/OS – stored procedures, query optimization and indexing, handling cursors, and transaction management.
- Knowledge and ability to develop in non-COBOL technologies such as .Net, C#, Angular, Entity Framework, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.
- Experience using a defect tracking tool.
- Knowledge of security and/or performance/stress/load testing.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
- Knowledge of accounting and/or transaction-based applications.
- Financial and/or state government knowledge.
Special Requirements:
Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
Supplemental Information
What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.
Please visit our Recruitment for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:
- A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
- 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year.
- State retirement programs.
Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application. Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position.
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.
Questions: OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.
The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.
Description
Note: This position will remain open until filled. It is at the hiring manager's discretion to make a hiring decision at any time and close the recruitment. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed daily. We anticipate interviews to begin the week of July 13, 2026.
Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows teleworking. However, you must reside in the state of Washington and travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.
Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian. If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!
The job opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer to support the critical statewide mainframe accounting system, Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), and Capital Asset Management System (CAMS). In this role, the work performed ensures that AFRS and CAMS remain operational, compliant with evolving state and federal legislative requirements, and changes as required by business are implemented. You have an opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding the reliability and performance of systems that underpin core governmental operations.
As a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer, you will independently design, develop, test, maintain, and support enterprise-level mainframe accounting applications written in COBOL, CICS, and JCL. Your responsibilities include implementing system changes as required by the legislature, business, and WaTech’s contracted mainframe hosting and managed service provider, resolving complex production issues, and translating detailed business and legislative requirements into technical solutions. This role demands strong analytical skills, disciplined testing practices, and the ability to sustain high-availability, mission-critical environments where precision and stability are essential.
This opportunity is ideal for a technical professional who thrives in complex computing environments and values meaningful impact. If you are motivated to solve complex problems and deliver resilient solutions that matter at scale, this role offers both challenge and purpose.
What you’ll work on
- Provide expert consultation and specialized analysis, design, development, programming, testing, troubleshooting, and/or problem resolution for the AFRS mainframe application, which is a high-risk/high-impact and mission-critical application written in the COBOL programming language.
- Develop and maintain batch and online applications.
- Develop and maintain JCL (Job Control Language) and support CICS-based online applications.
- Work with IBM z/OS environments, DB2 and/or VSAM file structures.
- Apply knowledge of development and processes to advise teams on the readiness of software applications to be implemented in a production environment and is knowledgeable of the effect that modifications have on related systems.
- Analyze all technical system change decisions; identify probable resulting outcomes and provide feedback to the work unit/team members and business owner.
- Solve software/hardware problems, including defining and analyzing the problem, performing impact analysis, identifying and testing solutions, choosing and implementing the best solution, documenting the changes as needed, and evaluating the outcome.
- Develop and implement standards, methods, tools, procedures, and processes.
- Review, monitor, and report development progress and results following established standards, guidelines, and procedures.
- Serve as a technical mentor to other system developers in resolving complex technical issues.
- Use bug tracking tools such as Azure DevOps, Excel, and Microsoft Word to create spreadsheets, log issues and bugs, and create documentation.
- Produce and ensure that internal technical and procedural documentation is current.
- Follow IT change and release management processes.
- Analyze business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
- Modify existing programs to enhance functionality or resolve defects.
- Take independent action to correct problems encountered during systems operations, 24/7.
- Provide level 2/3 support, monitor, and resolve production incidents. Work closely with System Analysts to resolve customer-reported production issues.
- Troubleshoot batch failures and performance issues.
- Participate in after-hours standby rotation.
- Perform unit testing and support integration/system testing.
- Participate in defect resolution and root cause analysis.
- Ensure adherence to coding standards and secure coding practices.
What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:
- Recent application development experience in a mainframe environment using COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, IBM z/OS.
- Expertise in COBOL (batch and online programs), including debugging and performance tuning.
- Strong experience with structured programming and legacy code maintenance.
- Advanced ability to write, modify, and troubleshoot JCL.
- Strong ability to manage batch jobs, datasets, and utilities.
- Strong understanding of job scheduling concepts.
- Ability to develop and maintain CICS online transactions.
- Understanding of VSAM and file handling – KSDS, ESDS, RRDS file structures, file definitions, and access methods.
- Strong mainframe environment knowledge (z/OS Operating System – Dataset management, ISPF usage, etc.; Utilities and Tools – SORT utilities, File-AID, etc.; Job Scheduling Tools – CA-7, etc.; Source Management – Endevor).
- Ability to perform unit, integration, regression testing, and code reviews.
- Ability to independently perform after-hours standby support.
- Advanced ability to problem-solve in legacy environments.
- Strong analytical skills/ability to research issues and find root cause.
- Strong documentation experience.
- Strong verbal and written communications.
- Ability to learn complex processes and information quickly.
- Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, customer service, and working under tight deadlines.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to meet the needs of others.
Desired Qualifications:
- Degree in Computer Science or related area (Mathematics, Engineering, Database Design).
- Washington State mainframe environment experience.
- Knowledge of the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
- Understanding of DB2 for z/OS – stored procedures, query optimization and indexing, handling cursors, and transaction management.
- Knowledge and ability to develop in non-COBOL technologies such as .Net, C#, Angular, Entity Framework, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.
- Experience using a defect tracking tool.
- Knowledge of security and/or performance/stress/load testing.
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
- Knowledge of accounting and/or transaction-based applications.
- Financial and/or state government knowledge.
Special Requirements:
Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
Supplemental Information
What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.
Please visit our Recruitment for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:
- A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
- 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year.
- State retirement programs.
Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application. Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position.
- Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
- References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.
Questions: OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.
The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.
See all H-1B Visa Cobol Developer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Cobol Developer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Cobol Developer
Map your role to the right SOC code
COBOL Developer positions are most often filed under SOC 15-1252 (Software Developers) or 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other). Confirm which code your employer intends to use before the LCA is filed, misclassification triggers RFEs.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Run your job title, SOC code, and work location through the OFLC Wage Search. Your offer must meet at least the Level I prevailing wage for that area, employers can't legally pay below it once the LCA is certified.
Target industries with sustained COBOL demand
Banks, insurance carriers, and federal contractors maintain large legacy COBOL systems and file H-1Bs repeatedly for this role. Prioritize employers with active modernization projects, where COBOL work is tied to long-term infrastructure rather than a short-term contract.
Find sponsors through Migrate Mate's LCA data
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by LCA filing history for COBOL and mainframe roles. Seeing which companies have certified wages for this occupation tells you where real sponsorship intent exists, not just a posted job.
Document mainframe environment specifics on your resume
H-1B petitions for COBOL roles sometimes receive RFEs questioning specialty occupation status. A resume that names the mainframe environments (z/OS, CICS, JCL, DB2) and the degree-level skills required strengthens the employer's petition response significantly.
Understand the cap timeline if you're on OPT
USCIS opens H-1B registration in March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October 1 and you're selected, your employer can request a cap-gap extension to bridge the gap, confirm this with your DSO immediately after selection.
H-1B Visa Cobol Developer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a COBOL Developer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. USCIS scrutinizes COBOL roles more than newer software titles, so your employer's petition should document why the specific duties, system architecture, legacy migration, batch processing design, require that degree-level knowledge.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for COBOL Developer positions?
Banks, insurance companies, federal government contractors, and mainframe services firms are the most consistent sponsors for COBOL roles. These industries run COBOL-dependent core systems that can't be easily replaced, creating sustained demand. Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA filing history for this occupation, so you can identify active sponsors rather than guessing from job postings.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement apply to COBOL Developer jobs?
Your employer must certify through a DOL-approved LCA that your offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. COBOL roles in financial centers like New York or Chicago typically fall under higher wage levels than the same title in smaller markets. The OFLC Wage Search lets you check the exact threshold before negotiating your offer.
Can a COBOL Developer transfer H-1B sponsorship if they change employers?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, provided your current H-1B was approved and you haven't accrued more than 180 days of unauthorized presence. The new employer must file a new LCA for the specific COBOL role and work location.
How should I describe COBOL Developer duties on an H-1B petition to avoid an RFE?
USCIS RFEs for COBOL roles often challenge whether the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree. Your employer's support letter should tie specific tasks, designing batch interfaces, optimizing DB2 queries, integrating COBOL modules with modern APIs, to theoretical and practical computer science knowledge. Generic descriptions like 'write and test COBOL programs' are the most common trigger.