Thermo Fisher Scientific

Senior Mainframe Developer

Thermo Fisher Scientific$85K — $114K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree with 8+ years of hands-on Mainframe application development experience
  • Strong expertise in COBOL, CICS, JCL, VSAM, IDMS/DB2, and SORT utilities
  • Excellent understanding of application design and development in Mainframe technologies
  • Demonstrated ownership mindset and ability to work through ambiguity
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead design, development, testing, and maintenance of applications using COBOL and related technologies
  • Own end-to-end delivery of projects, ensuring quality and timeliness
  • Analyze business requirements to create scalable technical solutions
  • Prepare technical documentation and implementation plans
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify risks and propose solutions
  • Mentor junior developers and promote best engineering practices
  • Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for production issues

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with a combination of onsite and remote work
  • Participation in a shared on-call support rotation including occasional off-hours
  • Opportunities for mentorship and team collaboration
  • Focus on continuous learning and modernization initiatives
  • Engagement in cross-functional projects with a global team
Full Job Description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

We are seeking aSenior Mainframe Developer to join our Ottawa-based engineering team supporting the development, enhancement, modernization, and production stability of critical applications. This role is ideal for a hands-on mainframe professional who can take ownership of end-to-end delivery, quickly learn complex business and technical domains, lead design discussions, solve production and delivery challenges, and mentor other team members. The successful candidate will bring deep experience with COBOL-based mainframe applications and related technologies, strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, and the ability to partner effectively with business stakeholders, architects, QA, support teams, and global delivery partners. This is a senior role for someone who combines technical depth, strategic solution thinking, accountability, curiosity, and a strong team-first mindset.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance of applications using COBOL, CICS, JCL, VSAM, IDMS and SORT utilities
  • Own and drive end-to-end delivery of projects, enhancements, defects, and production fixes, ensuring quality, timeliness, and business alignment
  • Analyze business requirements and translate them into scalable, maintainable, and reliable technical solutions
  • Prepare technical design documents, impact assessments, implementation plans, data flow analysis, and interface specifications
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements, identify risks, and propose practical and strategic solutions
  • Mentor and guide junior and intermediate developers, conduct code reviews, and promote engineering standards and best practices
  • Act as a trusted technical resource for application knowledge, design guidance, code quality, troubleshooting, and delivery risk management
  • Lead troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and resolution of complex production issues, ensuring minimal business impact
  • Lead or contribute to modernization and integration initiatives, including impact assessment, interface design, data flow analysis, API or middleware integration, and safe migration strategies
  • Participate in and support release planning, deployment, post-production validation, and operational readiness activities
  • Participate in an on-call support rotation, including occasional weekends or off-hours
  • Ensure adherence to development standards, documentation, security, audit, and compliance requirements
  • Collaborate effectively with global teams, including onshore, offshore, business, QA, infrastructure, architecture, support, and cross-functional partners
  • Proactively identify risks, dependencies, technical debt, and opportunities to improve system stability, delivery effectiveness, and team capability
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree holder with 8+ years of hands-on Mainframe application development experience
  • Strong hands-on expertise in:
    • COBOL
    • CICS
    • JCL
    • VSAM
    • IDMS/DB2
    • SORT utilities
  • Excellent understanding of designing and developing applications in Mainframe technologies
  • Strong experience supporting both batch and online mainframe applications
  • Strong solutioning mindset with ability to design and implement technical solutions
  • Demonstrated ownership mindset with the ability to work through ambiguity, proactively identify risks, and drive issues to closure
  • Ability to quickly learn complex legacy applications, business processes, data flows, and integration points
  • Willing to provide application support as needed and on rotation
  • Ability to collaborate with multiple business teams and solve complex issues
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills
  • Experience with enterprise systems integration
  • Knowledge of security best practices and compliance requirements
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a distributed team
  • Strong team orientation with the ability and willingness to mentor team members and raise overall team capability
Preferred Qualifications
  • Exposure to RPG
  • Experience with Lotus Notes application development or support
  • Understanding of API development, integration, or modernization strategies
  • Experience with MQ, middleware, file-transfer patterns, or enterprise integration approaches
  • Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies
  • Experience working inorder management, fulfillment, supply chain, finance, or other high-volume transactional systems
  • Strong experience in production support and incident management
  • Experience with tools such as TSO/ISPF, File-AID, Xpediter, Endevor, Changeman, Control-M, CA7, or similar mainframe development and scheduling tools
  • Experience working with globally distributed teams, including onshore, offshore, and cross-functional delivery partners
Work Environment
  • Location: Ottawa, Canada
  • Work Model: Hybrid work model with a combination of onsite and remote work, as defined by team and business needs
  • Support Expectations: Participation in a shared on-call rotation, including occasional weekends or off-hours support
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will:
  • Successfully leads projects and delivers high-quality, scalable, and maintainable solutions
  • Provides effective design solutions aligned with business needs, system architecture, and long-term technology direction
  • Acts as a technical mentor and go-to person for application knowledge, design guidance, code quality, troubleshooting, and delivery risk management
  • Demonstrates strong leadership, ownership and accountability in delivery and production support
  • Engages proactively with business stakeholders and adds value in discussions
  • Quickly learns complex systems, business processes, and technical dependencies
  • Identifies risks, technical debt, and improvement opportunities before they become delivery or production issues
  • Continuously learns, explores new approaches, and drives problem-solving initiatives
  • Contributes to team success, system stability, and modernization efforts
  • Supports a positive, collaborative, and team-first culture by sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and helping the team succeed

Compensation

The estimated annualized pay range for this position in Ontario is $85,500.00–$114,000.00.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Careers

Join the vibrant team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global leader in serving science and making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. With a workforce of over 75,000 professionals, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers unparalleled job opportunities and a culture of innovation that propels your career to new heights. Work You’ll Do At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will be part of a team that is dedicated to enabling our customers to make the world healthier. Whether you are involved in the development of life-saving drugs or innovative environmental solutions, your work will have a profound impact on society. Our commitment to leadership in the industry is unwavering. With Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will lead projects that set standards in scientific inquiry and market leadership. You will work at the intersection of science, technology, and industry expertise, driving digital innovation in every aspect of our business. Join our diverse team of professionals and engage in roles that span across various functions and disciplines. From research and development to marketing and sales, the breadth of job opportunities available means that you can find the perfect match for your skills and passions. Innovative Work As part of our team, you will have access to cutting-edge tools and technologies that foster creativity and innovation. Thermo Fisher Scientific is home to a dynamic range of career paths, all designed to challenge you and help you grow as a professional. Our employment philosophy emphasizes diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all team members have the opportunity to thrive. We believe in nurturing talent through robust training programs, leadership development, and opportunities for career advancement. Be Part of a Great Team Working at Thermo Fisher Scientific means being part of a global network of enthusiastic, talented, and ambitious individuals. Our culture is built on collaboration, where each member’s unique skills and perspectives are valued. You will enjoy benefits that support both your professional growth and personal well-being. Future-Proof Your Career Embark on a journey of growth and continuous learning with Thermo Fisher Scientific. We offer a variety of training and development programs that cater to your interests and career goals. From internships for budding scientists to leadership training for aspiring executives, our programs are designed to equip you with the skills needed for a successful and fulfilling career. Explore Discover how our commitment to innovation leads to advancements in health and science: [Read More] Learn about our leadership in environmental sustainability and how you can contribute: [Read More] The Thermo Fisher Scientific Difference Our global presence and commitment to innovation mean that your work extends beyond borders and makes a tangible impact worldwide. The collaboration between our teams drives our leadership in the scientific community and contributes to a culture that embraces diversity and fosters professional growth. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interest. We are always on the lookout for passionate, curious, and driven team players. Explore our job opportunities and find out how you can contribute to our meaningful work. SEARCH THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientific
Size
130,000 employees
Market Cap
$213.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.3 billion
Founded
1956
5 Year Trend
+16.5%
Revenue
$32.2 billion
NASDAQ

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