Mainframe Software Developer

We’re looking for a Mainframe Software Developer (COBOL) to join our technology team supporting critical banking and financial systems.

In this role, you’ll work across the full SDLC—design, development, optimisation, integration, testing, and production support—to keep core banking services stable, secure, and future-ready.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working with large, high-transaction environments and wants to contribute to major initiatives across banking, mortgages, wealth, utilities, and financial operations.

What You’ll Do

1. Application Development & Modernisation

Design, develop, enhance, and maintain COBOL applications that power essential banking functions.
Work closely with business analysts, architects, and SMEs to gather requirements and translate them into efficient and scalable code.
Deliver end-to-end development: estimation, impact analysis, coding, debugging, unit testing, and production release.
Contribute to the modernisation of mainframe applications, including CICS web services and API-driven integrations.

2. Systems Integration & Interfaces

Build and maintain interfaces between COBOL applications and databases, APIs, and enterprise systems.
Ensure smooth data flow across modules using CICS, DB2, VSAM, REST/SOAP APIs, and batch processes.
Support integration with cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS, S3) where applicable.

3. Performance, Stability & Reliability

Analyse and optimise COBOL code, SQL queries, and I/O processes for speed and resilience.
Troubleshoot production issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement permanent fixes.
Participate in disaster recovery and system stability planning.

4. Documentation, QA & Code Quality

Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation, design specs, and test cases.
Conduct and participate in peer reviews, ensuring adherence to coding and quality standards.
Support system testing, regression, UAT, and release management.

5. Stakeholder Collaboration

Work with Scrum Masters, product owners, and cross-functional teams for task updates, planning, and release coordination.
Communicate effectively with business, onshore/offshore teams, and technical leads.

Essential Core Skills required:

5+ years hands-on experience in COBOL development (many of our successful engineers have 10–20+ years).
Strong command of JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM, SQL, and z/OS environments.
Experience in developing and supporting enterprise-scale financial systems.
Strong debugging capabilities using tools such as SPUFI, QMF, IBM Debug Tool, File Manager, and Postman/SOAPUI.
Ability to manage full lifecycle development—from design to deployment.
Experience with CICS Web Services, REST/SOAP integrations, APIs.
Knowledge of cloud-connected mainframe ecosystems (AWS, microservices).
Familiarity with DevOps tools: GIT, Jira, Confluence.
Basic scripting knowledge (Unix/Shell, Python).

Desirable Experience

(These are not mandatory but will be highly regarded)

Exposure to Hogan, mortgage systems, private banking, utilities or health care systems.

Soft Skills

Excellent communication, documentation, and client-facing capability.
A proactive, analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to coordinate with offshore/onshore teams and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Self-driven, detail-focused, and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.