Senior Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe System Performance

Location: Columbus, OH, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of financial services innovation, powering the world's leading banks with cutting-edge technology. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe System Performance in our Columbus, OH office, you will play a pivotal role in optimizing the performance of our core mainframe systems that handle trillions in daily transactions. This position offers the opportunity to drive significant business impact by tackling diverse challenges across multiple technologies, ensuring our platforms remain robust, efficient, and compliant in a highly regulated industry. You will lead efforts to enhance system reliability for critical functions like global payments, risk management, and securities processing, contributing directly to the firm's reputation for stability and innovation. In this leadership role, you will spearhead performance engineering initiatives, leveraging your deep expertise in IBM z/OS and related technologies to diagnose and resolve complex issues. Collaborating with elite teams of engineers, architects, and business analysts, you will implement advanced tuning strategies to boost throughput and reduce latency in high-volume environments. Your work will involve proactive monitoring, capacity forecasting, and integration of mainframe systems with emerging cloud-native solutions, supporting JP Morgan Chase's commitment to digital transformation while maintaining the security and resilience demanded by the financial sector. We value engineers who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced settings and are passionate about mentoring others to foster a culture of excellence. This role not only challenges you technically but also allows you to influence strategic decisions that shape the future of banking technology. Join JP Morgan Chase to make a lasting difference in a company that invests heavily in its people and technology, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth in the heart of Columbus, OH.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of mainframe applications to ensure peak performance and scalability in JP Morgan Chase's global financial operations
• Analyze system performance metrics using tools like IBM RMF and SMF to identify bottlenecks and implement proactive solutions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, architects, and business stakeholders, to align technical solutions with business objectives in areas like payments processing and trade settlement
• Drive performance tuning initiatives for high-throughput transaction systems, reducing latency and improving throughput for mission-critical banking applications
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews to maintain high standards of code quality and security in mainframe environments
• Integrate mainframe systems with modern technologies, such as APIs and microservices, to support JP Morgan's digital transformation efforts
• Monitor and report on system health, capacity, and performance trends to senior leadership, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
• Investigate and resolve performance incidents in real-time, minimizing downtime for 24/7 financial services
• Contribute to innovation by exploring AI/ML applications for predictive performance analytics in mainframe systems

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on mainframe systems and performance optimization
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact projects in financial services
• Deep expertise in IBM z/OS, CICS, IMS, and DB2 for mainframe environments
• Strong understanding of system performance tuning, monitoring, and capacity planning in high-volume transaction processing
• Experience with compliance standards such as PCI-DSS and SOX in the financial sector
• Ability to analyze complex data and make data-driven decisions to enhance system reliability

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology
• Certification in IBM Mainframe technologies (e.g., z/OS, z/TPF)
• Experience with agile methodologies and DevOps practices in mainframe modernization
• Prior work in risk management or fraud detection systems within banking
• Knowledge of cloud integration strategies for hybrid mainframe environments

Required Skills

• Proficiency in COBOL, JCL, and Assembler for mainframe programming
• Expertise in performance monitoring tools like IBM OMEGAMON and CA Sysview
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex system diagnostics
• Knowledge of database optimization in DB2 and IMS environments
• Experience with workload management using IBM WLM
• Leadership and team collaboration abilities in agile settings
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices for financial data protection
• Scripting skills in REXX or CLIST for automation
• Familiarity with z/OS utilities and subsystem tuning
• Communication skills for stakeholder engagement and technical documentation
• Adaptability to evolving technologies in hybrid IT landscapes
• Project management skills for leading performance improvement initiatives
• Data analysis proficiency using tools like SAS or SPLUNK for performance insights

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement and access to internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers and wellness programs at Columbus campus
• Flexible work arrangements and support for work-life balance

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.