Job Specifications
Data Architect – Mainframe Migration & Modernization
Contract: 6 months initially
Start: ASAP
Day Rate: Up to £550 (Inside IR35)
Location: Central London
Working Pattern: 2 days onsite, 3 days remote
About the Role
We’re looking for a Mainframe Data Architect to lead a critical migration project—moving data off the mainframe with zero surprises. You’ll design CDC pipelines, model data correctly, and ensure a clean, validated cutover. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives on solving complex data challenges in a high-stakes environment.
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement CDC pipelines using IBM CDC or equivalent tools, including subscription management and replay strategies.
Translate Db2 schemas to Aurora PostgreSQL, covering logical/physical modelling and referential integrity.
Build integration pipelines from Db2 to Aurora via Kafka/S3 with strong reliability and ordering guarantees.
Handle data encoding transformations (EBCDIC → UTF-8, packed decimals) with robust validation suites.
Utilize migration tooling for schema conversion and downstream analytics (Glue, Athena, Redshift).
Implement Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform) and CI/CD (GitLab).
Plan and execute cutovers with dual-run validation, reconciliation, rollback strategies, and governance controls.
Develop observability dashboards for lag, throughput, error rates, and cost using CloudWatch/Grafana.
Apply Domain-Driven Design principles and architect event-driven systems using CDC as event streams.
Your Profile
Essential Skills:
CDC expertise (IBM, Precisely, or equivalent): subscription management, bookmarks, replay/backfill.
Db2 & z/OS fundamentals: catalog, batch windows, performance tuning.
Relational modelling: PostgreSQL/Aurora, normalization vs. denormalization, indexing, partitioning.
Integration patterns: Kafka, UPSERT/MERGE logic, Python/SQL troubleshooting.
Strong data quality mindset: validation tests, reconciliation against golden sources.
Logical & physical data modelling, normalization (1NF–BCNF), and trade-offs for OLTP vs. analytics.
Domain-Driven Design and event-driven architecture patterns.
Understanding of CQRS, database internals, and schema validation strategies.
Desirable:
IBM zDIH patterns, zIIP tuning.
COBOL copybook/VSAM ingestion experience.
If you’re passionate about data architecture, mainframe modernization, and delivering zero-defect migrations, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply now to be considered.
Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on all applications.
About the Company
We are an independent recruitment consultancy driven to provide an excellent service to our clients and candidates. We take pride in our service and delivery and have built strong, transparent relationships with all our customers.
How we can help you:
If you're looking to resource an entire project or to fill one strategic position, please get in touch on 020 3887 8700 / 0117 403 8888 or email your requirements to hello@macleanmoore.com - we pride ourselves on our speed of response and are looking forward to hearing from...
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