Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe

Location: Wilmington, DE, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of reimagining financial services through innovative technology solutions. As a Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe in our Wilmington, DE team, you will play a pivotal role in developing and maintaining mission-critical applications that power our global banking operations. This position involves working within an agile environment to deliver high-impact tech solutions across multiple domains, including payments processing, risk management, and core banking systems. Leveraging your deep expertise in mainframe technologies, you will ensure our legacy systems remain robust, secure, and integrated with modern infrastructures, supporting the seamless handling of trillions in transactions annually. In this leadership role, you will guide a team of engineers in designing scalable mainframe solutions using tools like COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2, while adhering to the stringent regulatory standards of the financial industry. You will collaborate closely with business analysts, product owners, and cross-functional teams to translate complex financial requirements into efficient code, driving operational excellence and innovation. Opportunities to modernize legacy applications through hybrid cloud integrations will allow you to bridge traditional mainframe strengths with emerging technologies, contributing to JP Morgan Chase's digital transformation initiatives. We value engineers who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced settings and are passionate about the intersection of technology and finance. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge projects that directly impact our clients worldwide, along with robust professional growth opportunities at one of the world's leading financial institutions. If you are ready to lead the charge in mainframe engineering within a supportive and innovative culture, join us in Wilmington, DE, to shape the future of banking technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy critical mainframe-based software solutions for JP Morgan Chase's financial platforms
• Lead agile teams in delivering scalable tech solutions across multiple technical domains, including transaction processing and data management
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into robust mainframe applications using COBOL and related tools
• Mentor and guide junior engineers on best practices for mainframe development and troubleshooting
• Perform code reviews, debugging, and optimization to ensure high performance and reliability in production environments
• Integrate mainframe systems with modern distributed architectures to support hybrid cloud initiatives
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and security protocols in the financial services sector
• Monitor system performance and implement proactive maintenance for 24/7 operational uptime
• Contribute to innovation by exploring modernization strategies for legacy mainframe codebases
• Document technical specifications and participate in knowledge-sharing sessions within the team

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• At least 7+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on mainframe technologies
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining applications on IBM z/OS mainframe systems
• Strong knowledge of COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2 for mainframe development
• Experience working in agile methodologies and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers
• U.S. work authorization and ability to work in Wilmington, DE

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related discipline
• Experience in financial services, particularly in banking or payments processing
• Familiarity with modernizing mainframe applications using DevOps tools like Jenkins or Git
• Certification in IBM mainframe technologies (e.g., IBM Certified Developer)
• Prior experience at a large financial institution with high-volume transaction systems

Required Skills

• Expertise in COBOL programming and mainframe assembly languages
• Proficiency in JCL, CICS, and VSAM for mainframe operations
• Strong database skills with DB2 and SQL on z/OS
• Experience with mainframe debugging tools like Xpediter or Fault Analyzer
• Knowledge of agile and scrum methodologies
• Leadership and team collaboration skills
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking for complex financial systems
• Familiarity with financial regulations like SOX and PCI-DSS
• Version control experience with tools like Endeavor or ChangeMan
• Communication skills for stakeholder engagement
• Understanding of high-availability systems and disaster recovery
• Basic knowledge of Java or microservices for integration purposes
• Attention to detail in code quality and testing
• Adaptability to evolving technologies in banking
• Project management skills for leading sprints

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development programs and tuition reimbursement for certifications
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and mental health support
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work options in Wilmington, DE

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.