Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled Mainframe Modernization Solutions Architect to analyze, design, architect, and implement solutions that support our customers’ digital transformation journeys. In this hands-on role, you will solve complex technical issues, establish patterns and practices, and set standards for the modernization of mainframe legacy environments.

The ideal candidate will possess deep technical skill in at least one of the following focus areas:

• Infrastructure modernization: Deploy fit-for-purpose workloads in a hybrid cloud infrastructure
• Application modernization: Evolve from monolithic applications to cloud-native API microservices
• Process modernization: Embrace an enterprise-wide DevOps discipline to deliver applications faster

Responsibilities

• Help customers and systems integrators design scalable, high-availability application solutions built on the Rocket Enterprise Portfolio/Enterprise Server solution.
• Work as a technical leader alongside customer business, development, and infrastructure teams.
• Conduct proof-of-concept technology analysis and pilots.
• Deliver customer presentations and internal presentations/trainings to peer groups.
• Enable and align consulting partners with Rocket Enterprise Portfolio (Enterprise Server/Enterprise Developer/Enterprise Analyzer) mainframe modernization approach and methodology.
• Provide architectural guidance and recommendations to promote successful customer engagements worldwide.
• Create and deliver technical content: blogs, whitepapers, and presentations at major conferences.

Requirements

• Advanced technical degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• At least 4 to 10 years of experience leading customers with mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of major cloud provider infrastructure and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, Cloud Foundry, Docker/Kubernetes.
• Experience analyzing on-premises mainframe environment applications and processes to formulate modernization plans that achieve desired business outcomes.
• Relevant business and IT architecture certifications (e.g., AWS Solution Architect Professional, Microsoft Azure Solution Architect, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)).
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Prior experience leading customer migrations from mainframe to Rocket Enterprise Server platform.

Skills

Technical experience in at least one of these areas:

• Infrastructure Modernization
  • Experience with tools and methodologies used to migrate mainframe workloads via hardware/middleware emulation, automated code conversion, and re-platforming.
  • Experience with COBOL modernization and porting application code across platforms.
  • Hands-on technical experience with mainframe, non-x86 legacy systems, and technologies such as COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2 for z/OS, IMS DB/DC, Assembler, PL/I, REXX, flat/sequential files, GDGs, and VSAM.
  • Analytical mindset to analyze test results and facilitate defect resolution.
  • Experience designing/architecting distributed and cloud environments (target environments), including OpenShift, Kubernetes, and containers.
• Application Modernization
  • Strong analysis skills with solid concepts in architecture and design.
  • Experience refactoring complex business applications.
  • Knowledge of cloud computing, containers, microservices, and serverless technology.
  • Experience with business rules extraction from COBOL/PL1.
  • Experience architecting high-availability, resilient, fault-tolerant systems that utilize load balancing and horizontal/vertical scaling.
  • Knowledge of web services, microservices, APIs, and exposing application components to alternate platforms.
• Process Modernization
  • Complete understanding of the software development lifecycle, including DevOps toolchains.
  • Experience configuring automation pipelines in GitHub, Azure DevOps, AWS CodePipeline, Jenkins, or similar tools.
  • Familiarity with agile engineering practices like test automation, test-driven development (TDD), continuous integration (CI), continuous delivery (CD), DevOps, and test data management.
  • Experience implementing and operating DevOps and Agile tools/platforms across some part of the development lifecycle.

• Ability and interest in traveling to customers around the world as needed.
• Commitment to Rocket Core values of empathy, humanity, trust, and love.
• All Rocketeers are expected to actively leverage AI-powered tools and technologies, where appropriate, to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and deliver greater impact.

Pay

The base salary range for this role is $154,575.00 – $194,650.00 per year. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Benefits

• Unlimited vacation time, as well as paid holidays and sick time.
• Health and wellness coverage options for employees and dependents.
• Life and disability coverage.
• Fidelity 401(k) and Roth retirement savings with matching contributions.
• Monthly student debt benefit program.
• Tuition reimbursement and certificate reimbursement program opportunities.
• Leadership and skills training opportunities.