Mainframe Developer
coventekBurlington (IA)
About the role
Mainframe Developer Position We are undertaking a modernization initiative to replace an aging eligibility platform with a new statewide eligibility system (EDEN). As part of this effort, the legacy Child Support Enforcement system (ICAR) must continue to exchange critical data with the new platform through a series of file-based interfaces and batch processes. The Mainframe Developer will play a key role in supporting the integration and transition between the legacy child support system and the new eligibility platform. This position will focus on analysis, development, testing, deployment, and support of mainframe applications and interfaces that enable seamless data exchange during the modernization effort. The Mainframe Developer will design, develop, modify, test, and support mainframe programs and batch processes that facilitate integration between the legacy Child Support Enforcement system (ICAR) and the new Eligibility Determination system (EDEN). The resource will work closely with business analysts, architects, testers, and technical teams to implement interface updates, maintain data integrity, and support the transition from legacy data sources to modernized eligibility services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, enhance, and maintain COBOL and JCL programs that process interface files between ICAR and EDEN.Modify file layouts, data mappings, transformation logic, and validation routines based on business and technical requirements.
- Enhance batch processing workflows, GDG structures, and VSAM datasets to support evolving integration requirements.
- Support modernization efforts by replacing legacy eligibility data sources with EDEN-derived data.
- Maintain and troubleshoot existing production processes and interfaces.
- Translate business and functional requirements into technical design specifications.
- Analyze existing mainframe applications and integration points to determine impacts of system changes.
- Modify and support applications that interact with IDMS databases, including schema and subschema navigation.
- Perform detailed record-level and field-level analysis of inbound and outbound interfaces.
- Identify dependencies, integration touchpoints, and risks associated with parallel operation of legacy and modern systems.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, process flows, program specifications, and interface designs.
- Develop unit test scenarios and execute comprehensive testing of mainframe applications and batch jobs.
- Support system, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing activities.
- Investigate and resolve defects identified during testing cycles.
- Validate end-to-end data processing and file exchanges between systems.
- Ensure data quality, processing accuracy, and compliance with business requirements.
- Create and maintain JCL, procedures (PROCs), scheduling definitions, and operational documentation.
- Support implementation, migration, and production deployment activities.
- Assist with cutover planning and execution during modernization milestones.
- Troubleshoot production incidents, file processing failures, and data discrepancies.
- Develop operational runbooks, monitoring procedures, and post-deployment support documentation.
- Partner with project managers, business analysts, developers, testers, and business stakeholders.
- Participate in design reviews, technical walkthroughs, sprint planning, and status meetings.
- Communicate technical risks, issues, dependencies, and recommendations proactively.
- Support knowledge transfer activities and contribute to project documentation.
- Required Technical SkillsCOBOL programmingJCL (Job Control Language)VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities
- Schema/Subschema concepts
- Database navigationADS/O experience preferred
- Batch processing development and support
- Flat file design and parsing
- Data transformation and interface mappingGDG management and dataset lifecycle administrationFTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting
- File transfer automationCA7Control-MEquivalent enterprise scheduling platforms
- Legacy system modernization experience
- Multi-system data integration and interface support
- Technical specification interpretation
- Root cause analysis and troubleshooting
- Data mapping and transformation logic
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Required Qualifications:
Hands-on mainframe development experience.
Strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and batch processing.
Experience working with IDMS or comparable mainframe database technologies.
Experience with VSAM datasets and file-processing applications.
Demonstrated experience supporting application integrations and data exchange processes.
Experience analyzing and modifying legacy systems.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting Child Support Enforcement systems or Human Services programs.
- Experience with eligibility systems, public assistance systems, or government modernization initiatives.
- Experience with large-scale legacy modernization projects.
- Knowledge of production support, release management, and deployment practices.
- Experience working in Agile or hybrid project environments.
- Success Criteria
- The selected candidate will successfully:
- Deliver high-quality mainframe code and interface enhancements.
- Support reliable data exchange between ICAR and EDEN.Minimize disruption during legacy-to-modern system transition activities.
- Contribute to successful testing, deployment, and production support efforts.
- Maintain system stability while enabling modernization objectives.
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