Mainframe Modernization Solution Architect

We are seeking a highly skilled Mainframe Modernization Solution Architect to design, architect, and implement solutions for customer digital transformation. This hands-on role involves solving complex technical issues, establishing patterns and practices, and setting standards for modernizing mainframe legacy environments. The ideal candidate will have deep technical skills in infrastructure, application, or process modernization, focusing on evolving monolithic applications to cloud-native microservices and embracing enterprise-wide DevOps disciplines.

Must Have

• Design scalable, high availability application solutions built on Rocket Enterprise Portfolio/Enterprise Server.
• Work as a technical leader alongside customer business, development, and infrastructure teams.
• Create proof of concept technology analysis and pilots.
• Conduct customer and internal presentations/trainings.
• Enable and align consulting partners with Rocket's modernization approach.
• Provide architectural guidance and recommendations for successful customer engagements.
• Compose and deliver technical content (blogs, whitepapers, presentations).
• Advanced Technical Degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 4 to 10 years of experience leading mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of major Cloud Provider infrastructure and technologies (AWS, Azure, Cloud Foundry, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience analyzing on-premises mainframe environments to formulate modernization plans.
• Relevant Business and IT Architecture Certifications (e.g., AWS Solution Architect Professional, Microsoft AZURE Solution Architect, SAFe).
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Ability and interest in travel to customers worldwide.
• Technical experience in Infrastructure Modernization, Application Modernization, or Process Modernization.

Job Description Summary:

We are looking for a highly skilled Mainframe Modernization Solution Architect to design, architect and implement solutions that support our Customers Digital Transformation. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for solving complex technical issues, establishing patterns and practices, and setting standards for modernization of mainframe legacy environment.

The ideal candidate will possess deep technical skill in at least one of the following focus areas:

Infrastructure modernization: Deploy fit for purpose workload in a Hybrid Cloud infrastructure

Application modernization: Evolve from monolithic application to Cloud-Native API Microservices

Process modernization: Embrace an enterprise-wide DevOps discipline to deliver application faster

Key Responsibilities:

• Helping Customer and Systems Integrators to design scalable, high availability application solutions built on the Rocket Enterprise Portfolio/Enterprise Server solution.
• Working as a technical leader alongside customer business, development and infrastructure teams.
• Create proof of concept technology analysis and pilots.
• Conduct customer presentations and internal presentations/trainings to peer groups.
• Enable and align consulting partners with Rocket Enterprise Portfolio/Enterprise Server mainframe modernization approach and methodology.
• Provide the architectural guidance and recommendations necessary to promote successful Customer engagements worldwide.
• Technical content composition and delivery: blogs, whitepapers, technical presentations at major conferences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced Technical Degree in Computer Science or related field
• At least 4 to 10 years of experience leading customers with mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Experience leading customers with mainframe and legacy modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of major Cloud Provider infrastructure and technologies, such as AWS, Azure, Cloud Foundry, Docker / Kubernetes.
• Experience with analysing on-premises mainframe environment applications and process to formulate plans for modernizing workloads that achieve Customer’s desired business outcomes.
• Relevant Business and IT Architecture Certifications such as, AWS Solution Architect Professional, Microsoft AZURE Solution Architect, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), etc.
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Ability and interest in travel to our customers around the world, as needed.
• Technical Experience in at least one of these areas:

Infrastructure Modernization

• Experience with tools and methodologies used to migrate mainframe workloads via hardware/middleware emulation, automated code conversion, and re-platforming.
• Experience with COBOL modernization and porting application code across platforms.
• Hands-on technical experience with mainframe, non-x86 legacy systems and with technologies such as COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2 for z/OS, Assembler, PL/I, Rexx, flat/sequential files, GDGs, and VSAM.
• Must have an analytical mind set to analyse test result and facilitate defect resolution.
• Experience design/architecting distributed and Cloud environments (target environments) – including OpenShift, Kubernetes, and Containers.

Application Modernization

• Strong analysis skills with solid concepts in Architecture and Design. Should have joined projects to refactor complex business applications.
• Knowledge of Cloud Computing, Containers, Microservices, and Serverless technology.
• Experience with Business Rules-extraction from COBOL/PL1.
• Experience architecting high availability, resilient, fault tolerant systems that utilize load balancing, horizontal/vertical scaling.
• Knowledge of Webservices, Microservices, APIs and exposing Application components to alternate platforms.

Process Modernization

• Complete understanding of software development lifecycle including DevOps Toolchain.
• Experience configuring automation pipelines in GitHub, Azure DevOps, AWS CodePipeline, Jenkins or similar tools.
• Familiarity with agile engineering practices like Test Automation, Test-Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), DevOps, and Test Data Management, etc.
• Experience with implementing and operating DevOps and Agile tools/platforms across some part of the development lifecycle.
• Commitment to Rocket Core values of empathy, humanity, trust and love

Information Security:

Information security is everyone’s responsibility. A fundamental principle of information security at Rocket Software is that all individuals in the organization have a responsibility for the security and protection of company information and IT Resources over which they have control, according to their role.

Diversity, Inclusion & Equity:

At Rocket we are committed to an inclusive workplace environment, where every Rocketeer can thrive by bringing their full selves to work. Being a Rocketeer means you are part of our movement to continually drive inclusivity, diversity and equity in our workforce.

#LI-Remote

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Rocket Software Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Rocket Software Inc. is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

As part of our commitment to a safe and trustworthy workplace, we include background and reference checks in our hiring process.

Rocket is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please call: 781-577-4321 or send an email to people@rocketsoftware.com. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!