(Contractor) COBOL Developer

Sparq

2d • Remote

About The Position

Sparq is seeking a COBOL Developer for a contract role. This position involves designing, developing, and maintaining COBOL-based applications that support core business and financial processing systems within a large-scale enterprise environment. The role requires analyzing and optimizing existing COBOL codebases, collaborating with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical specifications, and developing robust batch processing programs. The developer will also be responsible for integrating COBOL applications with modern systems, participating in code reviews, supporting testing cycles, and troubleshooting production issues. Cross-functional collaboration with infrastructure, QA, and business teams is essential, as is contributing to documentation efforts.

Requirements

• Proven hands-on experience developing and maintaining COBOL applications in an enterprise environment
• Strong understanding of batch processing, job scheduling, and high-volume data processing concepts
• Ability to read, interpret, and optimize complex legacy codebases with minimal ramp-up time
• Experience integrating COBOL-based systems with modern platforms, APIs, or middleware solutions
• Familiarity with mainframe environments such as IBM z/OS, JCL, VSAM, and CICS or IMS
• Solid understanding of relational databases and data file structures commonly used in legacy environments (DB2, VSAM flat files)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to diagnose and resolve production issues under pressure
• Desire to work collaboratively in a team environment while maintaining the ability to work independently on assigned components
• Attention to detail and commitment to code quality, documentation, and technical standards
• Good interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage effectively with both technical and business stakeholders
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Nice To Haves

• Experience in AI or a proven track record of rapidly learning and mentoring others on emerging tech

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain COBOL-based applications supporting core business and financial processing systems in a large-scale enterprise environment
• Analyze and interpret existing COBOL codebases, identifying opportunities for optimization, modernization, and defect resolution
• Collaborate with business analysts and stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical specifications and working code
• Develop and maintain batch processing programs, ensuring reliable, high-volume data processing with structured error handling and job scheduling alignment
• Integrate COBOL applications with modern systems and data sources, supporting interoperability across legacy and contemporary technology stacks
• Participate in code reviews, contributing to coding standards and best practices across the development team
• Support testing cycles including unit, integration, and regression testing, ensuring code quality and system stability ahead of release milestones
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues in a timely manner, minimizing business disruption and maintaining system reliability
• Collaborate cross-functionally with infrastructure, QA, and business teams to deliver cohesive, stable solutions
• Contribute to documentation efforts, maintaining clear and accurate technical specifications for all developed and modified components

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
• Inclusive workplace
• Reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed