Description and Requirements
Job Summary
MetLife is seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer to lead technical design and delivery for mission-critical mainframe applications supporting high-volume financial and payment systems. The role will focus on modernizing COBOL programs, optimizing z/OS performance, and enabling API integration through IBM z/OS Connect Enterprise Edition (EE), while ensuring reliability, security, and compliance across the PCTS, GPAY, and FMS platforms.
Key Responsibilities
· Design, develop, and optimize COBOL applications on z/OS, leveraging Enterprise COBOL 6.x features for performance and maintainability.
· Build and deploy RESTful APIs using IBM z/OS Connect EE: map copybooks/DFHCOMMAREA or CICS channels/containers to JSON; configure CICS IPIC connections; integrate with APIC/MQ.
· Author and maintain JCL, batch utilities (IDCAMS/DFSORT), and CICS transactions; ensure robust restart/recovery strategies and data integrity across DB2/VSAM.
· Implement and enforce RACF security for datasets, transactions, and API endpoints, partnering with platform/security teams on certificates and OAuth flows.
· Collaborate on workload scheduling (OPC/IBM Z Workload Scheduler) and release/change management, including lower-to-prod promotion and cutover/backout planning.
· Drive engineering best practices: code reviews, automated testing, documentation, runbooks, and operational readiness (monitoring/alerting, incident response).
· Mentor and upskill engineers; lead KT sessions and foster consistent Agile/SDLC practices across onshore/offshore teams.
Core Requirement – IBM z/OS Connect EE
· Demonstrated hands-on expertise building and operating IBM z/OS Connect EE services and APIs using IDz/z/OS Connect projects.
· Proficiency mapping mainframe data structures (copybooks/DFHCOMMAREA or CICS channels/containers) to JSON schemas and validating request/response payloads.
· Configuration experience for CICS IPIC connections, environment-specific endpoints/ports, APIC backend routing, OAuth/JWT, and certificate/keyring management.
· Troubleshooting experience across lower and production environments (e.g., BAQR* errors, authorization/JSON format issues) using logs/traces and collaboration with platform teams.
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of mainframe development on z/OS with deep experience in COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and common utilities (IDCAMS/DFSORT).
- Strong command of TSO/ISPF, SDSF, dataset management, SMF awareness, and production debugging/troubleshooting.
- Experience with workload scheduling (OPC/TWS), recovery design, and change/release procedures.
- Practical Agile/Scrum experience and SDLC compliance in regulated environments; strong written communication and documentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Exposure to IBM MQ, API/messaging integration, or Red Hat/IBM CP4I (WMB/IIB modernization).
- Production experience designing, deploying, and operating IBM z/OS Connect EE APIs/services integrated with CICS, APIC/MQ, and enterprise security (OAuth/RACF/certificates).
- Proven success migrating/recompiling programs to Enterprise COBOL 6.x and applying tuning/optimization techniques.
- Familiarity with AI tools (examples include GitHub and Co-pilot).
- Experience with compiler optimization reports, RMF/SMF traces, JES/SDSF job stats, and LE runtime tuning.
- Test automation experience for mainframe components and API contracts; CI/CD practices adapted for z/OS.
Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office. The expected salary range for this position is $100,000 - $135,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.