Sr. Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe

Location: Wilmington, DE, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JPMorgan Chase, we are at the forefront of transforming the financial services industry through innovative technology solutions. As a Sr. Lead Software Engineer - Mainframe in our Wilmington, DE office, you will play a pivotal role in driving significant business impact by tackling diverse challenges across multiple technologies and applications. This position within our Software Engineering category focuses on maintaining and modernizing our robust mainframe infrastructure, which powers core banking operations, payment processing, and risk management systems serving millions of clients globally. You will lead efforts to ensure our legacy systems remain secure, scalable, and compliant with stringent financial regulations, while integrating them with cutting-edge digital platforms to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency. In this senior leadership role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams including product managers, data scientists, and compliance experts to design and implement high-performance mainframe solutions using technologies like COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2. Your responsibilities will include architecting resilient applications that handle massive transaction volumes, optimizing system performance to reduce latency in real-time trading and settlement processes, and spearheading modernization initiatives such as containerization and cloud migration for hybrid environments. By fostering a culture of innovation and knowledge-sharing, you will mentor engineers and contribute to strategic decisions that align with JPMorgan Chase's commitment to technological excellence and client-centric banking services. We value engineers who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced settings and are passionate about leveraging mainframe expertise to solve complex problems in the financial sector. This role offers the opportunity to work on projects that directly influence global markets, with access to JPMorgan Chase's world-class resources and a supportive community dedicated to professional growth. Join us in Wilmington, DE, to advance your career while contributing to the stability and innovation of one of the world's leading financial institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of mission-critical mainframe applications supporting JPMorgan Chase's core banking operations
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to translate financial requirements into robust technical solutions on z/OS platforms
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in best practices for COBOL programming, JCL scripting, and CICS transaction processing
• Drive innovation in mainframe modernization, integrating legacy systems with modern APIs and microservices for enhanced efficiency
• Ensure application security and compliance with industry regulations such as SOX, GDPR, and Basel III in financial services
• Conduct code reviews, performance tuning, and troubleshooting of complex mainframe issues to minimize downtime in high-volume transaction environments
• Participate in agile ceremonies, including sprint planning and retrospectives, to deliver incremental value to global banking platforms
• Analyze and optimize database interactions using DB2 and IMS to support real-time financial data processing
• Contribute to disaster recovery planning and testing for mainframe systems critical to JPMorgan Chase's infrastructure

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on mainframe technologies
• Proven expertise in COBOL, JCL, CICS, and DB2 for z/OS environments
• Strong understanding of financial services systems and regulatory compliance requirements
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in agile development methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement scalable, high-availability mainframe applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related field
• Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives, including migration to cloud-hybrid environments
• Knowledge of JPMorgan Chase's internal tools and frameworks for banking applications
• Certifications in IBM z/OS or mainframe security (e.g., IBM Certified System Programmer)

Required Skills

• Expertise in COBOL programming and debugging
• Proficiency in JCL and mainframe utilities (e.g., TSO/ISPF)
• Strong knowledge of CICS for transaction management
• Advanced DB2 SQL and database administration on z/OS
• Experience with mainframe security tools like RACF or ACF2
• Agile methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking in high-stakes environments
• Leadership and team collaboration skills
• Understanding of financial transaction processing and risk management
• Familiarity with API integration and RESTful services
• Performance optimization techniques for mainframe applications
• Communication skills for stakeholder engagement
• Knowledge of DevOps practices in mainframe contexts (e.g., CI/CD pipelines)
• Adaptability to evolving technologies in banking IT

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities through JPMorgan Chase's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid options in Wilmington, DE
• Access to on-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and childcare support

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.