Mainframe Data Modeler - (IBM DataStage, ETL, SSRS, COBOL)

12-month contract (potential for extension) in Brooklyn, NY 11201 (hybrid – local candidates only). Anticipated start date: October 1, 2026. W2 hourly rate: $75 – $85/hour.

About the role

We are seeking a Mainframe Data Modeler to support our client’s Data Management team with data modeling, profiling, cleansing, conversion, migration, and validation activities for a legacy replacement initiative and ongoing process improvement programs. The role will perform detailed field-level and metadata analysis, develop conceptual, logical, physical, and dimensional data models, and translate legacy business and data quality rules into source-to-target mappings and technical specifications.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the identification, inventory, and classification of critical data.
• Perform detailed field-level analysis, metadata analysis, and profiling of internal and external data sources.
• Create conceptual, logical, physical, and dimensional data models.
• Work with data subject matter experts to document data quality rules, business terms, valid values, and definitions.
• Support data profiling, cleansing, conversion, migration, and validation efforts for legacy replacement and process improvement initiatives.
• Optimize and tune existing ETL and SQL processes for performance.
• Extract business rules from legacy code and create source-to-target mappings.
• Transform business rules and data quality rules into ETL and SQL technical specifications.
• Develop complex SQL data validations based on source-to-target mappings and target data models.
• Provide technical and analytical support for data integrity and data quality initiatives.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, technical leads, and IT partners to identify and remediate data quality gaps using manual and automated solutions.
• Support processes that proactively detect, correct, and prevent invalid data values.
• Perform defect handling, technical troubleshooting, and problem resolution.

Requirements

• 5+ years of source-to-target data mapping experience in mixed IBM mainframe and relational database environments.
• 3+ years of experience developing ETL applications using IBM DataStage.
• Experience creating data dictionary documentation that includes business terms, valid values, and definitions.
• Experience converting and migrating VSAM data to relational and dimensional SQL distributed databases.
• Experience extracting field references, calculated data, and business rules from COBOL programs and legacy code.
• Experience with BMC Control-M workload automation software.
• Experience with Git version control software.
• Minimum of three (3) years of recent experience with pension administration systems.
• Strong SQL knowledge, including complex queries, stored procedures, and complex data validations based on source-to-target mappings and target data models.
• Proficiency in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) report development.
• Proficiency with mainframe applications and technologies, including COBOL, CICS, and DB2.
• Ability to work across IBM mainframe, Windows Server, and SQL Server environments.
• Strong understanding of data structures and their relationships to ETL applications.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze requirements and propose solutions that adhere to established team methodologies.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with data quality and data profiling tools.
• Experience with data warehouses and data marts.
• Prior experience working in a pension system, preferably a New York State or New York City pension system.

Benefits

• Opportunities to lead impactful transformations in the public sector infrastructure.
• Engagement with high-profile government initiatives, supporting meaningful change.
• A collaborative environment that values ownership, initiative, and continuous learning.