Senior Mainframe Developer

DivIHN (pronounced "divine") is a CMMI ML3-certified Technology and Talent solutions firm. Driven by a unique Purpose, Culture, and Value Delivery Model, we enable meaningful connections between talented professionals and forward-thinking organizations. Since our formation in 2002, organizations across commercial and public sectors have been trusting us to help build their teams with exceptional temporary and permanent talent.

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Job Title: Senior Mainframe Developer
Location: Remote
Agency: Illinois Health and Family Services
Duration: 2 Years

Project Name: Cost Allocation Tracking System (CATS) Migration

Project Overview:

• We are seeking a highly qualified Senior Platform Developer with deep expertise in Mainframe technologies to support the enhancement, maintenance, and modernization of enterprise-level systems.
• This role is critical in ensuring the stability, performance, and evolution of legacy applications that underpin essential business operations.
• The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in COBOL programming, IMS DB/DC, JCL scripting, EZTrieve reporting, and Micro Focus toolsets, and demonstrate a strong understanding of mainframe-based architectures.
• This position involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including application architects, infrastructure specialists, and business stakeholders, to deliver high-quality solutions in complex, regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities:
Mainframe Application Development and Maintenance
Design, develop, enhance, and maintain mainframe applications utilizing COBOL, IMS DB/DC, and EZTrieve.
Write, manage, and troubleshoot JCL scripts for batch processing and production job execution.
Perform code analysis, debugging, and remediation to ensure operational stability and system integrity.
System Modernization and Integration
Support the re-platforming and re-hosting of legacy applications using Micro Focus Enterprise Developer and Server environments.
Assist in code migration, system integration, and testing for mainframe-to-open-system transformation initiatives.
Performance Engineering and Optimization
Conduct root cause analysis and performance tuning of legacy systems, jobs, and databases.
Optimize IMS databases and application throughput to meet SLAs and business performance benchmarks.
Technical Documentation and Governance
Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system design specifications, program logic, batch workflows, and operational guides.
Ensure compliance with organizational standards, security protocols, and quality assurance frameworks.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership
Collaborate with QA analysts, business analysts, and project managers to define and deliver application functionality aligned with business needs.
Provide technical mentorship to junior developers and conduct peer reviews to ensure adherence to best practices.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in mainframe application development and support.

Proven expertise in:

• COBOL (batch and online)
• IMS DB/DC (hierarchical database and transaction control)
• MFS (message format services
• Panvalet (mainframe source code repository)
• TSO/ISPF (source code editing)
• JCL (Job Control Language) advanced batch scripting
• TSO/ISPF (source code editing)
• EZTrieve data extraction, ad-hoc reporting, and formatting
• Micro Focus Enterprise Developer/Server
• Demonstrated experience with VSAM, GDG, sequential datasets, and mainframe utility tools.
• Familiarity with version control/change management tools (e.g., Endevor, Changeman, ISPW).
• Experience with version control tools.
• Experience with system performance benchmarking or load testing of mainframe jobs.
• Proficiency in debugging tools such as Xpediter, File-AID, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to CICS, DB2, or REXX scripting.
• Experience in large-scale system migration, modernization, or re-hosting projects.
• Understanding of middleware technologies (e.g., MQSeries) and API integration with distributed systems.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies, DevOps practices for legacy environments, and SDLC best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Industry certifications in mainframe development or Micro Focus technologies are highly desirable.

1. Panvalet (mainframe source code repository)
3. IMS DB/DC (batch and real-time transaction environments)
4. MFS (message format services)

About us:

DivIHN, the 'IT Asset Performance Services' organization, provides Professional Consulting, Custom Projects, and Professional Resource Augmentation services to clients in the Mid-West and beyond. The strategic characteristics of the organization are Standardization, Specialization, and Collaboration.

DivIHN is an equal opportunity employer. DivIHN does not and shall not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.