Lead RPG Programmer

Mohenis Services•Petersburg, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We are a well-established, family-owned organization with a strong history of reliability and long-term stability. Our business depends on proven IBM i (AS/400) systems that run core operations every day. At the same time, we are making thoughtful investments to modernize our technology, improve maintainability, and better integrate with modern platforms. To lead this effort, we are seeking a Manager / Lead RPG Programmer to take charge of the IT department and lead the upgrade of our RPG applications to the latest standards, working collaboratively with an experienced third-party IT provider. As Manager / Lead Programmer, you will have overall responsibility for the IT department while serving as the technical leader for our IBM i and RPG environment. You will manage people, systems, and priorities, with a primary focus on upgrading, modernizing, and future-proofing our RPG applications. This position would require a majority on-site presence both initially and throughout the modernization process. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with vendor coordination. You will guide a small internal staff, oversee external modernization efforts, and ensure that RPG upgrades are completed safely, cleanly, and in alignment with long-term business goals. The ideal candidate should be at least at a junior level and have experience with later RPG programming and IBM systems.

Requirements

Proven experience leading RPG development and managing technical teams
Strong hands-on background with IBM i / AS/400 systems
Extensive experience with RPG 400 / RPG ILE, including free-format RPG
Solid knowledge of CL programming, DB2/400, and SQL
Experience upgrading or modernizing legacy RPG applications
Demonstrated ability to manage and collaborate with third-party IT vendors
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience leading RPG modernization or platform upgrade initiatives
Familiarity with IBM i modernization tools and best practices
Experience integrating IBM i applications with modern systems using APIs or web services
Exposure to ERP systems, reporting, automation, or data warehousing
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the IT department, including developer and network staff
Set technical direction, priorities, and development standards
Ensure reliable operation of all production systems
Oversee change management, production support, and issue resolution
Maintain clear documentation, standards, and operational procedures
Lead the upgrade of existing RPG applications to current RPG free-format standards
Oversee refactoring of legacy RPG II/III/400 code to improve readability, maintainability, and performance
Drive adoption of modern RPG practices including modular design, service programs, and SQL
Ensure DB2/400 and embedded or standalone SQL are used appropriately as part of modernization
Validate that upgraded code meets quality, performance, and maintainability expectations
Act as the primary liaison between the business, internal IT staff, and the third-party IT provider
Work closely with external partners to plan, schedule, and execute RPG upgrades and modernization initiatives
Review technical approaches, coding standards, and deliverables from the third-party provider
Ensure knowledge transfer, documentation, and alignment with internal support capabilities
Balance outsourced work with internal ownership to ensure long-term sustainability
Collaborate with business leaders to understand system needs and operational priorities
Translate business requirements into practical technical solutions
Help define and execute a long-term roadmap for IBM i and RPG modernization
Ensure modernization efforts improve system stability, scalability, and supportability