COBOL Developer

About the Role

This role is integral to maintaining and enhancing the core business systems that manage South Carolina’s drivers and vehicles. As a Senior COBOL Developer, you will work closely with a team of developers and .NET interface specialists to ensure the system meets legislative and our client traffic violation processing requirements. You will be responsible for troubleshooting, code reviews, and leading development efforts within a client-server architecture. The position offers a hybrid work environment with an initial onsite training period, followed by a flexible remote schedule. Your contributions will directly impact the efficiency and reliability of the state’s vehicle registration and licensing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and maintain COBOL code for the core business system.
• Lead and mentor junior developers within the COBOL team.
• Collaborate with .NET developers to integrate backend logic with the user interface.
• Conduct code reviews, unit testing, and performance tuning to ensure high quality deliverables.
• Participate in system design discussions to support new features and regulatory changes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, providing timely fixes and documentation.
• Coordinate with project managers and stakeholders to estimate effort and track progress.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and coding standards for the team.
• Ensure compliance with state and our client data security and privacy regulations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives for development processes and tools.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience developing in COBOL for enterprise applications.
• Strong proficiency in COBOL programming, including data structures, file handling, and performance optimization.
• Experience with client-server architectures and integration with .NET front‑end components.
• Familiarity with database systems (SQL Server or Oracle) and ability to write SQL queries for data access.
• Proven ability to lead a small development team, conduct code reviews, and mentor junior staff.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail in a regulated environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., COBOL certification, Microsoft .NET certification) are a plus.

Tools & Technologies

• COBOL compiler (Micro Focus, IBM COBOL, or equivalent)
• .NET framework (C#, ASP.NET, Visual Studio)
• Version control systems (Git, SVN)
• Build and deployment tools (Jenkins, MSBuild)
• Debugging and profiling tools (IBM Debugger, Visual Studio Debugger)
• Database management systems (SQL Server, Oracle)
• Issue tracking and collaboration tools (JIRA, Confluence)

Work Schedule & Duration

• 12‑month contract with possibility for extension.
• Hybrid work model: initial onsite training period, followed by up to two remote days per week.
• Strong preference for full onsite presence during the training phase.
• Candidate must be a current resident of South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia, or be willing to relocate.

Interview Process

The selection process typically includes an initial virtual screening followed by two rounds of virtual interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. Candidates will be evaluated on technical expertise, problem‑solving abilities, and cultural fit with the development team.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Contract
• Duration: Approximately 12 months (with potential for extension)
• Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States