Mainframe Developer — Des Moines, IA

Remote only on w2

Key Responsibilities

Mainframe Application Development

· 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.

Technical Analysis and Design

· 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.

Testing and Quality Assurance

· 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.

Deployment and Operational Support

· 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.

Collaboration and Communication

· 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 Skills

Mainframe Development

· COBOL programming

· JCL (Job Control Language)

· VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities

· IDMS database development and support

o Schema/Subschema concepts

o Database navigation

o ADS/O experience preferred

o IDMS COBOL integration

· Batch processing development and support

· Flat file design and parsing

· Data transformation and interface mapping

Batch Processing and Infrastructure

· GDG management and dataset lifecycle administration

· FTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting

· File transfer automation

· Scheduling tools such as:

o CA7

o Control-M

o Equivalent enterprise scheduling platforms

Integration and Analysis

· 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.