Mainframe developers work on unique operating systems in software development, using obsolete tools and languages. They know both programming language and mainframe tools and are comfortable working in the mainframe culture. They design, develop, and maintain mainframe components to meet support or project departments and interface with business and IT teams to understand their business requirements, translating into formal technical requirements and application code.
Mainframe developers collaborate with IT support teams to ensure that client support and project requirements are developed and implemented successfully and develop and execute unit tests and integration plans and scripts that ensure the application changes will meet technical specifications. They are responsible for full system development life cycles, work with business teams, participate in integration testing, and complete acceptance testing. They participate in production support and pager duty rotation and provide round-the-clock coverage and participate in technical reviews at appropriate developmental stages. Mainframe developers need a bachelor’s degree in technology, engineering, IT, or related fields.