About the Role

The Software Architect will be responsible for defining and governing the end-to-end architecture of a modernization platform that supports the transformation of mainframe applications into modern Java and cloud-native environments.

You will serve as the primary technical authority for modernization initiatives, bridging the gap between legacy technologies and target architectures while ensuring consistency, scalability, maintainability, and business continuity throughout the transformation journey.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture Leadership

• Lead the architecture design team responsible for modernization initiatives.
• Define the end-to-end architecture of the Modernization Platform, covering analysis, conversion, validation, testing, and deployment processes.
• Establish architectural principles, governance models, and modernization methodologies in alignment with client architecture teams.
• Drive architectural decisions related to large-scale legacy transformation programs.

Modernization Strategy

• Define modernization workflows for migrating mainframe applications to Java, Spring Boot, Spring Batch, and Oracle environments.
• Establish functional equivalence patterns between legacy and modern architectures, including:
  • JCL Batch → Spring Batch
  • CICS Transactions → REST/API Services
  • DB2/VSAM → Oracle-based data models
  • Copybooks/EBCDIC structures → Modern data contracts and schemas
• Develop technical standards, conversion patterns, acceptance criteria, and implementation guidelines for modernization teams.

Technical Governance

• Identify and resolve architectural gaps between legacy systems and target cloud-native environments.
• Lead Proofs of Concept (PoCs) to validate modernization approaches, tools, and platform capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to modernization and conversion teams.
• Ensure architecture compliance, scalability, security, and operational excellence.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with client architecture teams to integrate modernization platforms into the broader enterprise ecosystem.
• Coordinate integration with corporate platforms and frameworks such as Cells, ASO, APX, BASE 100, ReArch, and related enterprise services.
• Act as the primary architectural advisor for modernization-related technical decisions.

Required Skills & Experience

Must-Have

• 5+ years of experience in software architecture and enterprise application design.
• Proven experience leading mainframe modernization projects from legacy environments to Java ecosystems.
• Deep expertise in legacy technologies including:
  • COBOL
  • JCL
  • CICS
  • DB2
  • VSAM
  • Copybooks
  • EBCDIC
• Strong knowledge of modern application development technologies:
  • Java 17+
  • Spring Boot
  • Spring Batch
  • JPA/Hibernate
  • Oracle Database
  • RESTful APIs
  • Event-Driven Architectures
• Experience designing cloud-native architectures and microservices solutions on AWS.
• Strong ability to define functional equivalence models between legacy and modern paradigms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with AI-assisted modernization platforms and tools such as:
  • ReArch
  • AWS Mainframe Modernization
  • Heirloom
  • Similar automated modernization solutions
• Familiarity with enterprise environments including:
  • Cells
  • ASO
  • APX
  • Titan
  • RACF
  • Gamma
• Contributions to the modernization community through publications, technical articles, conference speaking, or industry references.
• Experience working within large-scale financial services or enterprise transformation programs.