Senior COBOL Developer

Job Description BAE Systems is seeking a Senior COBOL Developer to support our work as a prime contractor on a high-profile U.S. Navy logistics program. Accuracy, integrity, willingness to learn, and the ability to work well independently and with others are important traits we expect the successful candidate to possess and demonstrate.

As a Senior COBOL Developer, you will be responsible for:
- Serving as the primary technical bridge between legacy systems and modern development teams, translating complex COBOL logic into actionable specifications for modernization.
- Maintaining and debugging legacy COBOL programs, Korn Shell scripts, and processes within a Unix environment to ensure continued operational stability.
- Analyzing and documenting intricate business flows and legacy architecture, identifying critical dependencies and risks associated with system replacement.
- Collaborating with software developers to design and implement high-quality replacements for legacy systems, ensuring no loss of business logic during the transition.
- Providing senior-level mentorship and technical guidance to developers unfamiliar with legacy procedural logic.
- Developing comprehensive technical documentation and mapping guides to facilitate long-term knowledge transfer.

About BAE Systems and the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP)

Our organization has supported the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) continually since the program’s inception in the 1950s. SSP developed the first sea-based, underwater-launched Strategic Weapon System (SWS), a defense system that is truly critical to our national security. For more than six decades, SSP has maintained and upgraded this weapon system and we have been there every step of the way. The sea-based SWS is the ultimate stealthy weapon system and is the first leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. With over 70% of our nation’s nuclear arsenal its importance to maintaining world peace cannot be overstated. The development of Columbia, the most advanced nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarine ever designed, as well the next D5LE2 weapon system is under way and will begin to be rolled out over the next decade. The Navy projects this system to be operational through 2084, meaning the program will have a total life span of more than 120 years. This is a unique program and BAE Systems employees on this program understand they are part of an important legacy.

As a decades long sole source partner on multiple contracts on behalf of our customer, our program has remarkable stability and is concurrently experiencing significant growth. Combined, these factors provide ample opportunity for professional growth and development for capable and talented individuals on our team.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc.

BAE Systems plc provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defense, aerospace, and security solutions. As one of the top ten defense contractors, we employ a skilled workforce of around 100,000 people in more than 40 countries. We develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to protect national security and keep people safe. Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor's degree and at least six years of related professional experience. (Equivalent experience may be considered: Associate's degree with 8+ years or High School diploma with 10+ years of relevant experience).
- Extensive experience working within Unix or Linux environments.
- Proficiency in shell scripting, specifically Korn Shell (ksh) or Bash.
- Demonstrates strong expertise in COBOL and SQL, with proven ability to read, interpret, and clearly explain complex COBOL logic and SQL queries.
- Proven experience in a senior or lead role, demonstrating the ability to guide technical strategy and communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills to interact with diverse work teams.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Experience leading the modernization or migration of legacy procedural systems to modern object-oriented architectures.
- Ability to develop comprehensive test plan documentation to ensure legacy logic is validated correctly, with a strong preference for experience in automating test scripts.
- Familiarity with modernizing applications into cloud environments.
- Understanding of GitOps, Continuous Delivery, and trunk-based development using Git.
- Experience with Oracle PL/SQL and TOAD for Oracle.
- Agile methodologies and experience working in a Scrum/Kanban environment.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Azure DevOps, GitLab, or Jira.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.