Lead Mainframe Developer

Candidates must be onsite - locals to Iowa only. Location : Onsite / Hybrid - West Des Moines, IA Terms : Full Time A lead COBOL Developer is responsible for the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) for complex, mainframe-based applications. The role involves both hands-on coding and serving as a technical and team leader, overseeing projects, providing technical guidance, and acting as a liaison between IT and business teams. Key responsibilities Application development : Developing, modifying, and testing high-complexity applications and programs written in COBOL and other legacy languages, often on mainframe systems. Technical leadership : Acting as the technical expert for projects, providing guidance, training, and mentorship to less experienced developers and IT staff. Lifecycle management : Overseeing the entire SDLC, from requirements analysis and design to coding, testing, implementation, and maintenance of application software. Business liaison : Working with business partners to analyze and resolve complex business problems. This includes gathering requirements and translating business needs into technical specifications. Quality assurance : Performing unit testing, debugging, and code reviews to ensure projects are properly documented and meet product specifications and development standards. Problem-solving : Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues, which may involve participating in on-call support for nightly and weekend batch cycles. Special projects : Leading technical efforts on special projects, including developing project proposals, justifications, and delivering the final product. System integrity : Ensuring the integrity of all applications is maintained and staying current on relevant technologies. Required skills and qualifications Experience : A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is typically required, along with at least seven years of relevant experience. Core competencies : Proven skills in analytical and conceptual thinking, problem-solving, and system design are essential. Programming languages : Expertise in COBOL and proficiency in languages and tools like JCL (Job Control Language), DB2, VSAM, and Endevor are typically required for mainframe roles. Knowledge of other technologies like Java, SQL, and mainframe tools may also be needed. Domain knowledge : Strong knowledge of the insurance or finance industry's data handling methods and development techniques is often preferred. Communication : Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary to act as a liaison between technical and business teams.