Mainframe Modernization Architect

Role overview

A senior architect role leading legacy mainframe modernization and migration initiatives for large global enterprise clients. The position partners with sales, consulting, operations, and product teams to shape pursuit strategy, run discovery workshops, and develop transformation roadmaps that re-platform critical workloads with minimal business disruption. It is a client-facing, advisory role requiring executive-level communication and end-to-end solution ownership.

Responsibilities

- Collaborate with sales and consulting counterparts to define pursuit, solution, and sales strategies for large global accounts. - Conduct discovery and assessment workshops with consulting, operations, and product teams to deepen account penetration. - Develop and document modernization solutions that meet both technical and business requirements, with a focus on transformation and re-platforming. - Lead solution development sessions, present technical solutions and business cases, and secure executive buy-in for complex initiatives. - Act as a trusted advisor by drawing on deep technology experience to recommend modernization approaches. - Partner with product management to channel client feedback into roadmap and product enhancements, and help stabilize clients' current and future-state environments.

Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. - 20+ years of experience as an architect or equivalent in hosting and network environments, preferably with a service provider. - 12+ years leading modernization or migration projects that move legacy systems to new platforms with minimal disruption. - 15+ years of deep expertise across the mainframe stack, including COBOL, Natural, Adabas, Easytrieve, Db2, IMS, JCL, CICS, VSAM, RACF, z/OS, PL/I, and Assembler. - Hands-on experience with mainframe application migration and legacy modernization. - Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills across oral, written, and presentation formats.

Nice to have

- Data migration expertise, especially converting legacy data structures into modern database platforms. - Modern development experience with Java and C# frameworks, plus Python for scripting, automation, and backend systems. - Familiarity with public cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure and hybrid architectures. - Experience applying AI-driven strategies and tools to legacy modernization and data migration efforts. - Proficiency with standard office applications including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.

Benefits and work setup

- Remote-first working model, with travel to client sites as needed. - Unlimited paid time off, three health plan options, 401(k) with company match, dental, vision, disability, life, and AD&D coverage, plus flexible spending accounts. - Family-forming benefits, paid parental leave, education reimbursement or student loan assistance, sabbatical leave, wellness program, and flexible scheduling. - Target annual compensation of $156,000–$210,000 plus bonus eligibility and an equity appreciation grant.