Mainframe Infrastructure Solution Architect - Presales

Key Responsibilities:

• Solution Design & Architecture:
• Lead the design and definition of overall mainframe infrastructure solution frameworks for mainframe components within client proposals and bids.
• Analyze client requirements, existing IT environments, and business objectives to architect tailored mainframe solutions, covering on-premise, cloud, and hybrid deployment models.
• Create detailed architectural designs, high-level designs, and supporting documentation (e.g., application views, multiple sections & views, and artefacts).
• Assess and recommend approaches for integrating mainframe systems with the wider technology ecosystem.
• Determine improvements, options, and tradeoffs to define target state solution architecture.
• Presales & Client Engagement:
• Serve as the primary technical subject matter expert during the presales stage, supporting the sales team with all technical requirements.
• Partner directly with clients, including C-level executives, technical decision-makers, and business stakeholders, to understand their challenges and demonstrate how our mainframe solutions meet their needs.
• Develop and deliver persuasive technical presentations, demonstrations, and proofs-of-concept (POCs).
• Coordinate with sales, program/project, and consulting teams to ensure proposed solutions meet client expectations and align with internal capabilities.
• Contribute to RFP/RFS responses by providing technical analysis, cost estimations, and architectural validation.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective clients.
• Mainframe Modernization & Innovation:
• Provide technical and strategic guidance for mainframe modernization initiatives, including re-hosting, refactoring, re-platforming, and rewriting.
• Advise customers on how to plan, evaluate, architect, and re-engineer legacy applications to take advantage of modern cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.).
• Keep up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML for modernization), and best practices across mainframe and cloud environments.
• Support thought leadership by contributing to white papers, case studies, and other content focused on mainframe solutions and modernization.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship:
• Provide technical leadership to design, development, and implementation teams delivering custom solutions.
• Mentor developers, designers, and junior architects, supporting their professional growth and strengthening their capabilities.
• Strengthen internal architecture practices by conducting interviews and sharing knowledge.
• Costing & Risk Management:
• Create fully costed solution architectures and provide precise cost estimates for implementing mainframe solutions (including MFaaS) and ongoing support.
• Identify implementation risks and potential impacts, and propose mitigation strategies.
• Assess solutions from a technology standpoint, cost-structure perspective, and customer differentiation perspective.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Typically 12+ years of experience in a technology environment, with a strong focus on mainframe infrastructure solutions
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands-on technical experience with mainframe systems and technologies such as:
• Languages: COBOL, JCL, PL/I, Assembler, REXX, Natural, RPG.
• Databases: DB2 for z/OS, IMS DB, VSAM, Adabas.
• Transaction Managers: CICS, IMS TM.
• Operating Systems: z/OS, z/VM, zLinux.
• Middleware: MQ, WebSphere.
• Tools: IBM Debug Tool for z/OS, Syncsort, SPUFI, ChangeMan, Endevor, CA-7/ESP/Control-M (Job Schedulers).
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex mainframe solutions, including large-scale migrations and modernizations.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and experience architecting solutions for mainframe to cloud migration/integration, including tools like Zowe, OpenShift, Wazi
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Proven presentation skills, comfortable presenting to large groups and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in computer Engineering / relevant
• Experience with specific mainframe modernization tools and patterns (re-architecture, rewrite, refactor, rehost).
• Familiarity with distributed client-server architecture systems.
• Exposure to GenAI technologies (LLMs, NLP) for application modernization assessments or code transformation.
• Experience with ITILv3 or ITSM principles.
• IBM Mainframe administration certification