Role Summary:

Contribute to the modernization factory by analyzing, converting, unit testing, and optimizing COBOL/CICS/JCL components for target runtimes (Micro Focus/UniKix) or refactored stacks (e.g., Heirloom to Java). Work under guidance of senior engineers and architects.

Required Experience: 3–7 years (incl. 1–2+ years in modernization or strong willingness to cross train)

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct code analysis and inventory; identify copybooks, subprograms, datasets, and external interfaces.
• Perform code conversion and remediation (e.g., file I/O changes, SQL adaptations, date/encoding fixes).
• Update JCL for target schedulers; script dataset/file movements; parameterize environments.
• Implement and run unit tests, create stubs/mocks for MQ/DB interactions, and support regression cycles.
• Document mappings (VSAM→RDBMS), error handling, and operational runbooks.
• Participate in dress rehearsals, cutover execution checklists, and hypercare defect fixes.

Required Technical Skills:

• Core Mainframe: COBOL, JCL, CICS basics (transactions, BMS maps), VSAM, DB2 SQL.
• Modernization Tooling (experience with any of the below is a strong plus):
• Micro Focus Enterprise Server/Developer (compilation, debugging, region configuration).
• UniKix (CICS emulation concepts) or similar.
• Heirloom (COBOL to Java workflow) or exposure to Blu Age/Astadia/Modern Systems processes.
• DevOps/Build: Git, CI pipelines, basic scripting (Shell/PowerShell), artifact management.
• Data: File format conversions (EBCDIC↔ASCII), VSAM to relational mapping fundamentals.

Nice to Have:

• Java/.NET basics (post refactor support), REST APIs, message brokers, Control M, cloud fundamentals.

Soft Skills:

• Detail orientation, willingness to learn, collaboration, ownership of deliverables.