Mainframe Support Architect

and VSAM assets.

Key Responsibilities
1. Architectural Leadership & Technical Governance

• Serve as the primary architect and technical authority for the mainframe tax applications, which include COBOL online, COBOL batch, and online screens
• Define and enforce architectural principles, coding standards, integration patterns, and legacy system best practices aligned with the performance, reliability, and maintainability needs.
• Oversee the architecture of batch operations, online CICS workflows, DB2 data structures, VSAM files, and Natural components
• Ensure the system continues to meet application availability requirements and supports daily operational windows

2. Design, Optimization & Modernization Readiness

• Lead high-level system design, refactoring strategies, performance tuning, and long-term maintainability improvements.
• Identify high-risk, inefficient, or undocumented areas requiring redesign or enhanced documentation
• Recommend improvements for resiliency, scalability, and future migration to the incoming replacement system.
• Conduct an impact analysis on statutory updates requiring annual system enhancements

3. Production Support Architecture & Problem Management

• Provide Tier 3 technical leadership for complex issues across 24/7/365 support operations
• Architect solutions for recurring problems and lead systemic root cause analysis as required under continuous improvement mandates
• Ensure adherence to defined Response and Resolution SLAs for all severities
• Guide the team in incident triage, escalation, and resolution following the defined on-call and escalation models (15-minute escalation rule)

4. Integration & Interface Management

• Oversee the architecture of 5-8 upstream and downstream systems and associated interfaces through which the tax system exchanges data.
• Ensure secure, consistent, and compliant data exchange across internal and external systems in alignment with security and compliance requirements.

5. Documentation, Knowledge Transfer & Process Mapping

• Lead documentation of: System architecture and design, Batch and online process flows, Interface contracts, Operational procedures, Testing approaches (unit, integration, performance, UAT)
• Support knowledge transfer from current SMEs to vendor teams to mitigate the risk of knowledge loss.

6. Compliance, Security & SLA Governance

• Ensure alignment with: SLA tracking & reporting requirements, Security & data governance, Change management processes mandated by ITIL-aligned standard, Support periodic audits, performance reviews, and improvement plans.

7. Leadership, Mentoring & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Mentor support engineers and developers working on COBOL, Natural, JCL, DB2, and CICS components.
• Collaborate with IT Leadership, Business teams, Governance committees, and operational stakeholders.
• Contribute to reviews, service improvement plans, and architectural assessments.

Required Qualifications

• 11+ years of experience in Mainframe technologies, including: COBOL (online & batch), JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM

• Strong experience in production support, high availability systems, and legacy application architecture.

• Proven ability to lead design and troubleshoot complex legacy systems.

• Experience with batch performance tuning and online transaction optimization.

• Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Candidate must be located within commuting distance or willing to relocate to Salt Lake City, UT

Preferred Qualifications

• 11+ years of experience as an Architect or Senior Technical Lead in large enterprise mainframe environments.

• Experience with: Natural, REXX, Control M (batch scheduling), OMEGAMON (performance monitoring)

• Prior experience supporting public sector tax systems or financial/transaction-heavy systems.

• Experience working with limited documentation and high complexity systems.

• Knowledge of ITIL processes for Incident, Problem, and Change Management.

• Experience mentoring global or multi-location technical teams.

• Familiarity with modernization programs or system replacement initiatives.

Educational Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent is required from an accredited institution. Will consider three years of progressive, relevant work experience instead of every year of education. Candidates who have completed a Master's degree program are strongly preferred.

The job entails sitting and working at a computer for extended periods. Should be able to communicate by telephone, email, or face-to-face. Travel may be required as per the job requirements.

The estimated annual compensation range for this role will be as follows:
In CA/ WA/NY/CO/MD/IL/MN/NJ/VT/MA: $113,000 to $147,000
In Washington, DC: $109,800 to $147,500