Mainframe Application Architect

Description and Requirements
The Team You Will Join
The Mainframe Infrastructure team is responsible for all hardware, software, maintenance & upgrades of our mainframe platform. The team also functions as a governance entity for our managed service provider, Kyndryl, and ensuring they maintain operational excellence. While Kyndryl is responsible for all L1/L2 and some L3 support, MetLife is looking to build a team to provide L3 support over the platform, helping to improve existing processes and champion the platform internally to our application developer stakeholders.
The Opportunity
The Mainframe Application Architect is responsible for providing general domain expertise on mainframe middleware (CICS, DB2, MQ, IMS). You will be THE expert at Metlife on these middleware solutions. The architect will also provide guidance to our application developers, helping them modernize their applications to leverage new functionality. You will also provide L3 guidance to Kyndryl employees for middleware related changes. This is an exciting opportunity as we are in the midst of a modernization effort on the mainframe and there are various ongoing projects/POCs where you can make a large impact on our overall enterprise architecture.
Success in this role requires a willingness to learn new technologies (Openshift, CloudPak) as well as demonstrated knowledge of "traditional" z/OS middleware. The Mainframe Application Architect is responsible for driving various POCs and assisting our developers maximize their utilization of the mainframe platform. You'll collaborate closely with application development and infrastructure teams in an environment where every contribution is respected, and every perspective is heard.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities)

• Provide general domain expertise on mainframe middleware (CICS, DB2, MQ, IMS). Be THE expert at Metlife on these middleware solutions
• Provide L3 guidance/work with our infrastructure managed service provider (MSP), Kyndryl, to implement middleware upgrades, introduce new functionality, optimize existing middleware-to-application interfacing, and everything in between
• Be the architectural intermediary between third party vendors, our developers, and Kyndryl
• Assist with root cause analysis/problem determination efforts when things go south
• Evangelize the platform internally, working with and helping appdev stakeholders improve their applications
• Drive POCs for various modernization efforts (generative AI code refactoring, Openshift on z Linux, etc.)

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications)

• 10+ years working with mainframe middleware (CICS, DB2, MQ, IMS) in both sysplex and monoplex configurations
• 5+ years of core z/OS and major subsystem experience (JES, WLM, job schedulers (TWS), RACF, etc.)
• Experience with building/exposing APIs around mainframe data and related tools (i.e. z/OS Connect)
• Strong middleware debugging and problem investigation skills
• Experiencing working with application developers and mapping their application needs to infrastructure solutions
• Experience migrating application workload on and off the mainframe
• A hunger to learn the latest & greatest technologies to drive various POCs

What Can Give You an Edge (Additional Skills)

• zLinux experience is preferred
• Familiarity with Openshift, IBM CloudPak is a huge plus
• Experience working with MSP's in a governance capacity is also a huge plus
• COBOL, Java, HLASM experience is good to have but not required

The expected salary range for this position is $150,000-$180,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2025 "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™ for 2024, as well as the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.
$150,000-$180,000