Senior Staff Software Engineer
Gerber Life Insurance is seeking an accomplished software engineering leader with deep COBOL, mainframe modernization, and life insurance policy administration expertise to help shape the future of our core technology environment.
About the Role
This is a highly influential, hands-on technology leadership role responsible for the architecture and continued modernization of Gerber Life's mainframe-based life insurance policy administration applications. You'll provide technical leadership and direction to 15–20 software engineers while helping modernize systems supporting 3.8 million policies and approximately 1 million service calls annually. This role operates at the architectural and strategic level while remaining deeply connected to the technology and hands-on engineering work.
Responsibilities
- Own the architecture and modernization blueprint for mainframe-based life insurance policy administration
- Provide technical leadership and oversight for a team of 15–20 software engineers
- Lead custom legacy COBOL application development and modernization
- Advance policy administration capabilities across product configuration, billing, collections, policy servicing, and claims
- Drive the evolution from batch-centric processing toward real-time capabilities
- Introduce and integrate modern technologies across the mainframe ecosystem
- Lead agile delivery, sprint planning, and engineering practices that accelerate software delivery
- Partner across the organization to align people, processes, and technology
- Recruit, mentor, and develop highly skilled technical talent
- Maintain strong data security, architectural, and regulatory standards
Technology Environment
- Legacy/Mainframe: COBOL, CICS, APS, IMS, VSAM, JCL
- Modernization: Micro Focus COBOL, DB2, z/OS Connect, IBM MQ, Web UI
- DevOps/Delivery: Docker, Git, Maven, Jenkins, JIRA
- Additional Technologies: JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, jQuery, AJAX, HTML, CSS, Java, Spring
Requirements
- Extensive agile software engineering and change-management experience
- Significant leadership experience, including executive-level reporting
- Deep experience with end-to-end life insurance policy administration technology
- Proven leadership of COBOL/mainframe software engineering teams
- Strong understanding of both legacy mainframe environments and modernization strategies
- Ability to simplify complex, large-scale technology changes while considering total cost of ownership
- A hands-on engineering mindset combined with the ability to lead enterprise-level transformation
- Master's degree in Computer Science, or an acceptable combination of education, technical training, certifications, and extensive relevant experience
Benefits
- Paid time off increasing with tenure
- Tuition reimbursement and individualized career development plans
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) savings plan with pension options
- Parental leave and maternity leave
Pay
Hiring salary range: $141,600–$170,000
Schedule
This position requires onsite work at our Fremont, MI office. Candidates must be able and willing to work onsite upon starting in the role. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates based on position eligibility, individual circumstances, and applicable company guidelines.
About Us
Gerber Life Insurance Company, a member company of Western & Southern Financial Group, is committed to helping families protect what matters most. We offer career opportunities in Fremont, MI, White Plains, NY, and select roles in Cincinnati, OH. Our culture is driven by integrity, top-notch performance, teamwork, and collaboration. We empower associates to chase their career dreams while being supported every step of the way.