Mainframe Programmer Jobs
Mainframe Programmer jobs are open across banking, insurance, government, and healthcare, from junior developer to senior architect, with specializations in COBOL, z/OS systems programming, and batch processing. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
The Financial Information Services Agency and the Office of Payroll Administration (FISA-OPA) has a vacancy for a Mainframe Programmer Analyst. FISA maintains a mainframe payroll application that is integrated with the City's timekeeping and personnel application for active employees. Additionally, FISA maintains a mainframe Pension Payroll system that is integrated/interfaces with five separate pension agencies for retirees. Mainframe development work is triaged through the analyst group and as a mainframe programmer analyst, along with the Lead, the programmer analyst shall review the business/technical requirements, and provide technical guidance as well as architectural suggestions. The programmer analyst shall support the current ongoing development work of the long term, highly complex PMS replacement project. The programmer analyst shall work closely with the technical Lead and FISA analyst, testing, and operations staff to create accurate and efficient processes. The programmer analyst shall support production payroll and pension payroll activities.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the technical lead, work in a techno-functional capacity with a strong understanding of business processes, mainframe programming (COBOL), and relational databases to design, program, and assist in determining impact of change to programs and systems. Shall also review and analyze program specifications to determine the effort needed to make changes. The programmer analyst shall also be On-Call for overnight and weekend Payroll and Pension Payroll processes.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and four years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- An associate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and six years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and eight years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Strong experience as a senior mainframe (COBOL/UIMS/D82) programmer
- Strong experience with JCUPROCS/CTLCARDS
- Strong experience design/program and architecture in a mainframe environment
- Strong production coverage and troubleshooting experience
- Strong knowledge of RMDS/EXPEDITER/File-Aid for IMS/D82
- Strong experience with management of Technical Staff
- Extensive experience in the preparation of structure charts or invocation diagrams
- Extensive experience designing the architecture of mainframe applications and dependencies
- Excellent understanding of systems development lifecycle methodologies
- Experience working with enterprise wide, large-scale implementation
- Knowledge of the City's legacy payroll management system
- Knowledge of the City's personnel processing
- Knowledge of the City's timekeeping processing
- Excellent communication skills (Oral and Written), interpersonal, and organizational skills
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The City of New York offers a comprehensive set of benefits and programs to employees, including health insurance, pension plan, Deferred Compensation Plan (with 457, 401K and Roth IRA options), pre-tax Commuter Benefit program, pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts programs and more. Additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental benefits, vision care benefits and more are also available through District Council 37 – Local 2627, the union that represents employees in this title.
To Apply
Applicants may visit the Jobs NYC website and apply to Job ID: 783081. While all complete applications will be given consideration, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
PUBLIC SVC LOAN FORGIVENESS
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment program. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.
HOURS/SHIFT
35 hours Weekly/Day.
WORK LOCATION
5 Manhattan West, NY, NY
COMPENSATION
$75,000.00 – $125,000.00
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
New York City Residency is not required for this position.
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
INTRODUCTION
The Financial Information Services Agency and the Office of Payroll Administration (FISA-OPA) has a vacancy for a Mainframe Programmer Analyst. FISA maintains a mainframe payroll application that is integrated with the City's timekeeping and personnel application for active employees. Additionally, FISA maintains a mainframe Pension Payroll system that is integrated/interfaces with five separate pension agencies for retirees. Mainframe development work is triaged through the analyst group and as a mainframe programmer analyst, along with the Lead, the programmer analyst shall review the business/technical requirements, and provide technical guidance as well as architectural suggestions. The programmer analyst shall support the current ongoing development work of the long term, highly complex PMS replacement project. The programmer analyst shall work closely with the technical Lead and FISA analyst, testing, and operations staff to create accurate and efficient processes. The programmer analyst shall support production payroll and pension payroll activities.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the technical lead, work in a techno-functional capacity with a strong understanding of business processes, mainframe programming (COBOL), and relational databases to design, program, and assist in determining impact of change to programs and systems. Shall also review and analyze program specifications to determine the effort needed to make changes. The programmer analyst shall also be On-Call for overnight and weekend Payroll and Pension Payroll processes.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and four years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- An associate degree from an accredited college in computer science, engineering, human computer interaction, interactive media, digital and graphics design, data visualization, communication or a related field, and six years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and eight years of satisfactory full-time experience related to the area(s) required by the particular position and a specialization in a relevant technology, process, methodology and/or domain; or
- Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above.
PREFERRED SKILLS
- Strong experience as a senior mainframe (COBOL/UIMS/D82) programmer
- Strong experience with JCUPROCS/CTLCARDS
- Strong experience design/program and architecture in a mainframe environment
- Strong production coverage and troubleshooting experience
- Strong knowledge of RMDS/EXPEDITER/File-Aid for IMS/D82
- Strong experience with management of Technical Staff
- Extensive experience in the preparation of structure charts or invocation diagrams
- Extensive experience designing the architecture of mainframe applications and dependencies
- Excellent understanding of systems development lifecycle methodologies
- Experience working with enterprise wide, large-scale implementation
- Knowledge of the City's legacy payroll management system
- Knowledge of the City's personnel processing
- Knowledge of the City's timekeeping processing
- Excellent communication skills (Oral and Written), interpersonal, and organizational skills
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The City of New York offers a comprehensive set of benefits and programs to employees, including health insurance, pension plan, Deferred Compensation Plan (with 457, 401K and Roth IRA options), pre-tax Commuter Benefit program, pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts programs and more. Additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental benefits, vision care benefits and more are also available through District Council 37 – Local 2627, the union that represents employees in this title.
To Apply
Applicants may visit the Jobs NYC website and apply to Job ID: 783081. While all complete applications will be given consideration, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
PUBLIC SVC LOAN FORGIVENESS
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment program. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.
HOURS/SHIFT
35 hours Weekly/Day.
WORK LOCATION
5 Manhattan West, NY, NY
COMPENSATION
$75,000.00 – $125,000.00
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
New York City Residency is not required for this position.
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
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Find Mainframe Programmer JobsMainframe Programmer Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ensono7
- Fiserv3
- NTT DATA3
- Broadcom2
- Infojini2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software18
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Electronics & Hardware2
- Government & Public Sector1
- Law & Legal Services1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mainframe programmer jobs.
- Proficiency in COBOL programming on IBM z/OS mainframe environments
- Experience with JCL, VSAM, and job scheduling tools such as TWS or CA7
- Knowledge of CICS transaction processing and DB2 or IMS database systems
- Ability to read, write, and debug batch programs and SORT utility control statements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field
- IBM Certified Application Developer or System Programmer certification preferred
Tips for Your Mainframe Programmer Job Search
Lead your resume with COBOL metrics
Mainframe hiring managers want to see batch job volumes, CICS transaction throughput, or JCL job stream complexity you've handled. Quantify the scale of the systems you've worked on rather than listing tools generically.
Target legacy modernization projects specifically
Many postings advertise mainframe roles but actually need someone bridging COBOL to Java or cloud integration. Filter for those openings early, since competition is lower and the work is more varied than pure maintenance contracts.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists mainframe programmer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Get IBM certified before applying broadly
The IBM Certified System Programmer or Application Developer credentials appear in a significant share of mid-to-senior postings. Holding one reduces the screening call where interviewers test whether you can distinguish a VSAM cluster from a GDG.
Decode the technical screen before it happens
Mainframe interviews often include a live JCL debugging exercise or a COBOL code walkthrough. Practice tracing ABEND codes, reading SYSOUT logs, and correcting common SORT utility syntax before your first phone screen.
Negotiate contract-to-hire terms carefully
A large share of mainframe openings start as W-2 contracts through a staffing vendor. Before accepting, confirm the conversion timeline, who controls the offer at conversion, and whether benefits apply during the contract period.
Mainframe Programmer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most mainframe programmers?
The companies hiring the most mainframe programmers right now include Ensono, Fiserv, and NTT DATA, with the largest share of openings in New York, Illinois, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand is concentrated in large banks, federal agencies, and insurance carriers that run core operations on IBM Z systems.
How many mainframe programmer jobs are remote?
About 52% of mainframe programmer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting steady but selective flexibility from employers running sensitive financial and government systems. Sub-specializations like COBOL application development and batch job maintenance tend to have the highest share of remote arrangements, while systems programming and hardware-adjacent roles more often require on-site access.
How do you become a mainframe programmer?
Start by learning COBOL and JCL through IBM's free z/Xplore training platform, which provides hands-on access to a real z/OS environment. Once you're comfortable with basic batch programs and VSAM file handling, work toward an IBM certification. Entry roles at banks and insurers often accept candidates who can demonstrate working knowledge even without prior professional mainframe experience.
Can you get hired as a mainframe programmer with little experience?
Yes, entry-level mainframe programmer roles exist, particularly at large financial institutions and federal contractors that need to replace retiring specialists. Employers at this level prioritize candidates who have completed IBM z/Xplore modules, can write and trace basic COBOL programs, and understand JCL syntax. Framing any academic project or personal lab work on a mainframe emulator strengthens an otherwise thin resume.
What does the mainframe programmer interview process look like?
Most mainframe programmer interviews run in three stages: a recruiter screen focused on your z/OS background, a technical round where you walk through COBOL code or debug a JCL error live, and a final round with the team lead covering system design or past project scope. Some employers add a written exercise asking you to trace an ABEND and propose a fix before the technical call.
Where can I find and apply to mainframe programmer jobs?
You can find and apply to mainframe programmer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All Mainframe Programmer Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any mainframe programmer role that fits.
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