Mainframe Technical Lead

We are currently seeking an experienced Mainframe Technical Lead to provide technical leadership across a complex enterprise mainframe estate.
This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of core system design and execution while supporting large‑scale modernisation initiatives, including rehost and refactor programs.
You will work closely with delivery teams and stakeholders to ensure design integrity across critical workloads, while also mentoring developers and driving best‑practice engineering standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the mainframe estate, ensuring high‑quality design, development, and delivery outcomes.
• Own and maintain design integrity for core workloads across COBOL, CICS, and JCL environments.
• Lead the design and optimisation of both batch and online transaction processing systems, ensuring performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Support modernisation initiatives, including system rehost and refactor programs, and contribute to cutover planning and execution.
• Collaborate with architects, delivery teams, and stakeholders to align mainframe solutions with broader enterprise strategy.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to onshore development teams, uplifting capability and promoting best practices.
• Oversee production support activities, including incident resolution, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Manage and maintain SCM processes using tools such as Endevor or equivalent platforms.
• Identify system inefficiencies and implement performance tuning and optimisation strategies.
• Ensure adherence to governance, security, and compliance standards across all development and support activities.

Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in mainframe development and technical design within enterprise environments.
• Deep expertise in COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, and VSAM.
• Strong experience designing and optimising batch processing and online transaction systems.
• Proven track record in performance tuning and resolving complex system issues.
• Experience using Endevor or similar SCM tools for controlled development and release management.
• Strong background in production support leadership, including incident management and system stability improvements.
• Hands‑on experience supporting modernisation initiatives, including rehost, refactor, or transformation programs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to guide both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including mentoring developers and driving delivery outcomes.

Next Steps

If you feel this opportunity suits you, or Cognizant is the type of organisation you would like to join, we want to have a conversation with you! Please apply directly with us.

For a complete list of open opportunities with Cognizant, visit http://www.cognizant.com/careers

Cognizant is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a background check.