H-1B Visa Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs
Senior Mainframe Developer roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS standards, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Financial services, insurance, and government contractors are the heaviest sponsors. Petition cap deadlines and prevailing wage levels vary by location and employer size.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Senior Mainframe Developer is a senior level position responsible for establishing and implementing new or revised application systems and programs in coordination with the Technology team. The overall objective of this role is to lead applications systems analysis and programming activities.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with multiple management teams to ensure appropriate integration of functions to meet goals as well as identify and define necessary system enhancements to deploy new products and process improvements
- Resolve variety of high impact problems/projects through in-depth evaluation of complex business processes, system processes, and industry standards
- Provide expertise in area and advanced knowledge of applications programming and ensure application design adheres to the overall architecture blueprint
- Utilize advanced knowledge of system flow and develop standards for coding, testing, debugging, and implementation
- Develop comprehensive knowledge of how areas of business, such as architecture and infrastructure, integrate to accomplish business goals
- Provide in-depth analysis with interpretive thinking to define issues and develop innovative solutions
- Serve as advisor or coach to mid-level developers and analysts, allocating work as necessary
- Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years in IBM mainframe development.
- Need experience with developing batch and online programs in Cobol.
- Experience with IBM utilities and other mainframe tools and data structures such as Fileaid, Rexx, JCL, CICS, Changeman, Github, Expediter, TSO/ISPF, VSAM, DB2
- 2+ years experience using AI tools such as Devin AI and CoPilot.
- Extensive experience system analysis and in programming of software applications
- Experience in managing and implementing successful projects
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least one area of Applications Development
- Ability to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate
- Demonstrated leadership and project management skills
- Consistently demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience
- Master’s degree preferred
This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.
Job Family Group: Technology
Job Family: Applications Development
Time Type: Full time
Primary Location: Jacksonville Florida United States
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range: $113,840.00 - $170,760.00
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
Anticipated Posting Close Date: Jun 15, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
INTRODUCTION
The Senior Mainframe Developer is a senior level position responsible for establishing and implementing new or revised application systems and programs in coordination with the Technology team. The overall objective of this role is to lead applications systems analysis and programming activities.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with multiple management teams to ensure appropriate integration of functions to meet goals as well as identify and define necessary system enhancements to deploy new products and process improvements
- Resolve variety of high impact problems/projects through in-depth evaluation of complex business processes, system processes, and industry standards
- Provide expertise in area and advanced knowledge of applications programming and ensure application design adheres to the overall architecture blueprint
- Utilize advanced knowledge of system flow and develop standards for coding, testing, debugging, and implementation
- Develop comprehensive knowledge of how areas of business, such as architecture and infrastructure, integrate to accomplish business goals
- Provide in-depth analysis with interpretive thinking to define issues and develop innovative solutions
- Serve as advisor or coach to mid-level developers and analysts, allocating work as necessary
- Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years in IBM mainframe development.
- Need experience with developing batch and online programs in Cobol.
- Experience with IBM utilities and other mainframe tools and data structures such as Fileaid, Rexx, JCL, CICS, Changeman, Github, Expediter, TSO/ISPF, VSAM, DB2
- 2+ years experience using AI tools such as Devin AI and CoPilot.
- Extensive experience system analysis and in programming of software applications
- Experience in managing and implementing successful projects
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least one area of Applications Development
- Ability to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate
- Demonstrated leadership and project management skills
- Consistently demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience
- Master’s degree preferred
This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.
Job Family Group: Technology
Job Family: Applications Development
Time Type: Full time
Primary Location: Jacksonville Florida United States
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range: $113,840.00 - $170,760.00
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
Anticipated Posting Close Date: Jun 15, 2026
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
See all H-1B Visa Senior Mainframe Developer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Mainframe Developer
Verify your SOC code before applying
Senior Mainframe Developer roles typically file under SOC 15-1252 (Software Developers). Confirm the employer's LCA uses this code before signing an offer. A mismatched code can trigger DOL scrutiny and delay certification.
Target industries with mainframe-dependent operations
Banks, insurance carriers, federal contractors, and healthcare payers run legacy COBOL and z/OS environments that newer graduates can't support. These employers file H-1B petitions annually because qualified candidates are scarce and turnover risk is high.
Check prevailing wage levels using OFLC Wage Search
Mainframe roles often land at wage Level III or IV due to the specialized skill set. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your target metro before negotiating so you know the DOL floor your employer must certify to.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified H-1B sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with confirmed LCA filing history for mainframe and systems developer roles. This filters out employers who list H-1B sponsorship as optional but have no actual filing track record.
Prepare documentation of legacy system experience early
USCIS specialty occupation RFEs for mainframe roles often challenge whether the position requires a degree. Assembling your project history, architecture documents, and employer attestations before filing strengthens the petition against that challenge.
Negotiate cap-gap coverage into your start date
If you're on OPT when you receive an H-1B approval, cap-gap rules extend your work authorization through September 30. Confirm your employer's start date reflects this window so there's no gap between OPT expiry and H-1B activation.
H-1B Visa Senior Mainframe Developer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Mainframe Developer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS classifies Senior Mainframe Developer positions as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field. The specialized nature of z/OS, COBOL, and JCL environments reinforces the degree requirement, which is the core test USCIS applies. Employers should document this clearly in the petition to reduce RFE risk.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most often for mainframe developers?
Financial services, insurance, healthcare payers, and federal government contractors are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for mainframe roles. These sectors run mission-critical legacy systems that require ongoing development and maintenance by specialists. Mainframe skills are rare enough that these employers cannot easily source qualified candidates domestically, which drives their sponsorship activity. Migrate Mate lets you filter employers by verified LCA filing history in this occupation.
What prevailing wage level applies to Senior Mainframe Developer positions?
Most Senior Mainframe Developer roles are certified at DOL wage Level III or Level IV, reflecting the combination of technical depth and seniority. The exact level depends on the job duties, years of experience required, and geographic location. You can verify the applicable wage for any metro using the OFLC Wage Search before evaluating an offer or accepting a position.
Can I use my mainframe work experience to substitute for a bachelor's degree on an H-1B petition?
USCIS allows three years of specialized work experience to substitute for one year of a four-year degree, so 12 years of directly relevant mainframe experience can satisfy the bachelor's degree equivalent requirement. However, the experience must be evaluated by a credentials assessment organization and documented in detail. This path adds complexity to the petition and makes thorough evidence preparation especially important.
How do I identify employers actively sponsoring H-1B visas for mainframe roles?
The most reliable method is reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data, which shows which employers have filed LCAs for mainframe and systems developer job titles. This is public record and reflects actual filing intent rather than a recruiting claim. Migrate Mate surfaces this LCA data by employer and occupation, so you can target companies with a real history of sponsoring candidates in this field rather than relying on job postings alone.