Mainframe Java Architect

Role Overview:

Mainframe Java Architect will lead the modernization of mainframe systems to Java/Spring Boot architecture.

Key Responsibilities:

Define the end-state architecture for modernized Java/Spring Boot systems.

Create modernization blueprints, migration patterns, and reference architectures.

Evaluate and recommend modernization approaches (replatform, refactor, automated conversion, rewrite).

Develop current-state and target-state architecture diagrams.

Analyze COBOL programs, copybooks, JCL workflows, CICS/IMS transactions, DB2 schemas, and VSAM files.

Identify application dependencies, integration points, and batch schedules.

Map legacy components to modern equivalents (Spring Batch, REST APIs, RDBMS/NoSQL, Kafka, MQ).

Define modernization waves, thin slices, and deployment sequencing.

Guide design decisions for API-first, microservices, and event-driven systems.

Ensure coexistence patterns between mainframe and modernized components during transition.

Oversee data migration, transformation, and validation strategies.

Provide architectural direction to internal teams and external vendors.

Review converted Java code for quality, maintainability, performance, and security.

Establish coding standards, API specifications, and DevSecOps practices.

Influence platform decisions across cloud, infrastructure, and application engineering.

Ensure modernized systems meet or exceed mainframe performance SLAs.

Drive capacity planning, performance testing, resiliency, and failover strategies.

Partner with security teams to enforce compliance, encryption, audit, and access controls.

Work closely with business SMEs to ensure functional accuracy during conversion.

Present architectural recommendations to leadership and modernization governance teams.

Provide status updates, risk assessments, and technical documentation. Required Qualifications:

10+ years of experience in mainframe technologies (COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, IMS).

5+ years of Java/Spring Boot architecture and microservices design.

Hands-on experience with mainframe modernization or transformation programs.

Strong understanding of event-driven architecture (Kafka, MQ), API gateways & REST API standards, RDBMS & NoSQL databases, batch processing at scale (Spring Batch), CI/CD, Git, Jenkins/GitHub/Azure DevOps pipelines.

Experience with automated code conversion tools (Micro Focus, Heirloom, Astadia, IBM Wazi) is a plus.

Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).

Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills. Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with domain-driven design (DDD).

Knowledge of container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift).

Exposure to financial services, insurance, or other highly regulated industries.

Enterprise architecture certifications (TOGAF, SAFe, etc.). Soft Skills:

Ability to influence and lead technical teams.

Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail.

Comfortable working in an agile, fast-paced delivery environment.

Strong documentation and presentation skills.