Mainframe Application Architecture

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses.  We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

· Lead client discovery sessions, modernization assessments, and technical due diligence activities.

· Facilitate workshops, design sessions, and architecture reviews with cross-functional stakeholders.

· Assess application portfolios and legacy technology estates to identify business capabilities, dependencies, modernization opportunities, risks, and migration complexity.

· Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, helping shape modernization strategies and roadmaps.

· Analyze application architectures and technologies including COBOL, PL/I, JCL, CICS, IMS, DB2, VSAM, MQ, batch processing, and integration patterns.

· Define target-state architectures, modernization strategies, and implementation roadmaps across Modernize On, Integrate With, and Move Off transformation patterns.

· Create architecture deliverables including assessment reports, dependency maps, migration plans, testing strategies, and implementation roadmaps.

· Provide technical leadership through architecture governance, design reviews, implementation oversight, and solution assurance.

· Guide delivery teams on modernization tooling, testing approaches, DevSecOps enablement, migration planning, and cutover readiness.

· Leverage AI-assisted analysis capabilities and Kyndryl modernization accelerators to improve application discovery, dependency analysis, code understanding, testing, documentation, and migration planning.

· Identify opportunities to apply agentic AI and automation to accelerate modernization delivery and improve client outcomes.

· Support proposal development, Statements of Work (SOWs), RFP responses, solution estimation, and opportunity shaping.

· Develop architecture narratives and present modernization recommendations to business and technical stakeholders.

· 10+ years of experience in application architecture, software engineering, enterprise modernization, or technical consulting.

· Proven architecture leadership experience in large-scale mainframe modernization, migration, or transformation programs.

· Proven track record in a client-facing advisory or pre-sales architecture role

· Hands-on experience with IBM Z, Fujitsu, Unisys, or comparable legacy platforms, including COBOL, PL/I, JCL, CICS, IMS, DB2, VSAM, MQ, batch processing, and associated modernization patterns.

· Experience assessing complex application portfolios and defining modernization strategies across Modernize On, Integrate With, and Move Off initiatives.

· Experience leveraging AI-assisted modernization capabilities, Familiarity with responsible AI principles, data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), and enterprise security requirements

· Ability to analyze application dependencies, batch flows, interfaces, databases, operational processes, and technical risks to define modernization scope and architecture recommendations.

· Experience defining target-state architectures, migration approaches, transition-state architectures, and implementation roadmaps.

· Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable architecture and modernization plans.

· Customer-success mindset with continuous learning and innovation orientation.

· Experience with CA/Broadcom technologies such as Endevor, Gen (Cool:Gen), IDMS, Datacom, CA 7, CA Ideal, CA Easytrieve, and related enterprise tooling.

· Experience with IMS, IDMS, Adabas, Natural, VSAM, hierarchical databases, and other legacy data platforms.

· Experience with 4GL technologies and legacy application development environments, including Natural, Ideal, EGL, PowerBuilder, and similar platforms.

· Experience with IBM i (AS/400 / iSeries) environments, including RPG, COBOL, CL, and related modernization approaches.

The “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose.  We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next.

Get Referred!

If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.