Cobol Mainframe Architect
What success looks like in this role:
- Own and drive the enterprise mainframe architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with business goals
- Lead and govern large-scale application modernization initiatives including re-hosting, re-platforming, refactoring, and re-architecting.
- Act as the highest-level technical authority for IBM z/OS and mainframe-centered solutions
- Lead and govern mainframe modernization and transformation initiatives, including hybrid cloud integration, API enablement, and DevOps adoption
- Define and enforce architecture standards, reference architectures, and best practices across mainframe platforms
- Provide architectural oversight for capacity planning, performance, scalability, resilience, and cost optimization
- Partner with CIO/CTO, Enterprise Architecture, and senior stakeholders to influence technology and investment decisions
- Ensure architecture compliance with security, regulatory, audit, and risk management requirements
- Evaluate and recommend tools, platforms, and vendor solutions to improve efficiency and innovation
- Serve as an escalation authority for critical production and systemic issues, ensuring long-term architectural fixes
- Provide technical leadership, design reviews, and risk mitigation guidance across delivery programs.
- Mentor architects and senior engineers, setting standards for engineering excellence and technical governance.
#LI-SN1
You will be successful in this role if you have:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Expert-level knowledge of IBM Mainframe architecture including z Systems, z/OS, Sysplex, and GDPS
Extensive experience with CICS, IMS, DB2, MQ, VSAM, and high-volume transaction systems
Strong background in mainframe application architecture (COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, JCL)
Strong knowledge of legacy mainframe stack (Fujitsu GS21)
Proven expertise in performance engineering, workload management (WLM), and capacity planning
Deep understanding of mainframe security (RACF / ACF2 / Top Secret) and compliance frameworks
Experience integrating mainframe workloads with distributed systems, APIs, and cloud platforms (Mainframe → AWS / Azure / GCP)
Exposure to DevOps, CI/CD, and automation in mainframe environments
Strong knowledge of DR, BC planning, high availability, and data resiliency architecture.
Strong architectural and strategic thinking capability
Excellent communication skills, including executive-level stakeholder engagement
Ability to influence and lead across large, globally distributed teams
Customer-focused approach aligned with Unisys delivery and transformation objectives.
15+ years of IT experience with 10+ years in large-scale mainframe environments
Previous experience as a Mainframe Architect, Enterprise Architect, or Principal Engineer
Proven track record leading enterprise-scale modernization or transformation programs
Experience working in regulated industries (banking, insurance, government, healthcare preferred)
Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on architectural levels
IBM certifications (z/OS, z Systems Architecture, DB2, CICS) preferred.
Unisys is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to age, blood type, caste, citizenship, color, disability, family medical history, family status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
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