Forward Deployed Engineer – Mainframe Modernization & Cloud Transformation

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses.  We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

The Role

Your Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Forward Deployed Engineer to play a critical role in a large-scale Mainframe Modernization and Cloud Transformation Program focused on modernizing and migrating legacy mainframe workloads to cloud-native architectures using the Kyndryl Agentic Framework (KAF) . Combining deep mainframe expertise with modern cloud-native engineering skills, this hands-on engineering role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to bridge legacy mainframe technologies with modern cloud platforms and software engineering practices.

What You Will Do :

You will work directly with AI-generated modernization outputs, transforming legacy applications into production-ready cloud solutions. In this role, you will consume KAF-generated code, remediate and enhance generated artifacts, resolve compilation and build issues, implement missing business functionality, and prepare transformed applications for testing, deployment, and operational readiness.

Required Qualifications

- Legacy Mainframe Expertise: Deep hands-on experience analyzing and understanding business logic across COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, and VSAM environments.
- Java & Spring Ecosystem: Proven proficiency developing and enhancing cloud-native applications using Java, Spring Boot, and Spring Batch.
- Cloud-Native & Microservices Architecture: Strong experience translating legacy processes into RESTful APIs, microservices, service-oriented, and event-driven architectures.
- Database Modernization: Solid experience migrating DB2 and VSAM access patterns into modern relational, NoSQL, or cloud-native data access layers.
- Containerization & Orchestration: Hands-on experience packaging, deploying, and managing applications using Docker and Kubernetes.
- AWS & CI/CD Engineering: Proven experience supporting operational readiness and cloud deployments on AWS, alongside building and troubleshooting automated CI/CD pipelines.
- Testing, Security & Quality: Demonstrated ability to design automated unit tests, conduct code reviews, support integration/functional/performance testing, and enforce security and coding standards.
- Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to resolve complex compilation, dependency, integration, and runtime issues while collaborating across architects, platform engineers, QA, and modernization teams.

Preferred Qualifications

- Agentic & AI-Assisted Modernization: Direct experience consuming, validating, and remediating AI-generated code or working with agentic modernization frameworks (such as the Kyndryl Agentic Framework).
- Enterprise Mainframe-to-Cloud Migrations: Prior track record delivering large-scale legacy mainframe modernization and cloud transformation programs in enterprise environments.
- Reusable Modernization Accelerators: Experience building reusable modernization patterns, shared libraries, and frameworks to accelerate migrations.
- AWS Cloud Certifications: Relevant AWS certifications (such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or AWS Certified Developer).
- High-Throughput Batch & Transactional Tuning: Experience profiling and optimizing performance for complex cloud batch processing and high-volume transactional workloads.
- DevSecOps & Agile Delivery: Familiarity with Agile methodologies and embedding automated security and quality gates directly into CI/CD pipelines.

Your Future at Kyndryl:

Every position at Kyndryl offers a way forward to grow your career. We have opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else, including hands-on experience, learning opportunities, and the chance to certify in all four major platforms. Whether you want to broaden your knowledge base or narrow your scope and specialize in a specific sector, you can find your opportunity here.

Who You Are

You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important ,you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused , someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless , naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

Required Qualifications

- Education & Experience: 5+ years of overall software engineering experience with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (equivalent practical experience in enterprise application modernization may be considered).
- Mainframe Technologies: Hands-on expertise in COBOL, JCL (Job Control Language), CICS, DB2, VSAM, Batch Processing Frameworks, and mainframe application architecture and business logic analysis.
- Modern Java & Microservices Engineering: Strong proficiency in Java (Java 11+ preferred), Spring Boot, REST APIs, Microservices Architecture, and SQL.
- Build, Version Control & Testing: Experience with Git, Maven and/or Gradle, CI/CD Pipelines, and Automated Unit Testing (JUnit, Mockito, etc.).
- Cloud & Container Technologies: Proven experience with AWS Services, Docker, Kubernetes, cloud-native application development, and distributed systems and service-based architectures.
- AI-Assisted Modernization & Code Remediation: Hands-on ability in AI-generated code remediation and optimization, legacy-to-modern application transformation, and automated test generation and test remediation.
- Legacy Pattern Transformation: Practical experience in COBOL-to-Java mapping and validation, CICS-to-API/service transformation, JCL-to-Spring Batch or cloud batch transformation, and DB2/VSAM modernization patterns.
- Build & Dependency Troubleshooting: Strong analytical skills in build, compilation, and dependency troubleshooting across modernized applications.

Preferred Qualifications

- Large-Scale Modernization Programs: Experience in large-scale mainframe modernization or migration programs.
- AI-Assisted Engineering Frameworks: Hands-on experience with AI-assisted software engineering and code transformation frameworks.
- Mission-Critical Domain Experience: Experience modernizing mission-critical banking, insurance, retail, transportation, or government applications.
- Event-Driven & Cloud-Native Design: Knowledge of event-driven architectures and cloud-native design patterns.
- Code Quality & Security Tooling: Experience with automated code quality and security tools.
- DDD & API-First Methodologies: Understanding of domain-driven design and API-first development methodologies.
- Cloud Certifications: AWS certifications or cloud modernization certifications are a plus.

Being You

The “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose.  We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next.

Get Referred!

If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.