MercorVerified Source
RemoteSoftware EngineeringAI & Machine Learning

COBOL Programming Expert | $100-$200/hr Remote

$100–$200/hr
Posted July 17, 2026
hourly
26 openings

Overview

A leading AI research lab is seeking seasoned COBOL engineers for a short-term, high-impact engagement. You'll evaluate how well advanced AI systems handle real-world mainframe tasks—specifically around database migration—by benchmarking roughly 100 code-intensive scenarios. Your expert assessments will directly guide how AI models learn to operate on the backbone of global banking and government systems.

What You'll Do4

  • 1Apply your deep COBOL experience to assess technical tasks against professional-grade standards.
  • 2Review complex code-level scenarios—especially those involving database migration on mainframes—and deliver precise, structured written evaluations.
  • 3Provide clear written rationales that explain why a given approach is correct, idiomatic, or suboptimal.
  • 4Complete well-defined, time-bound tasks with explicit criteria, staying fully engaged during a concentrated one-week sprint.

Requirements4

  • 15+ years of professional COBOL development on IBM mainframe (z/OS) in production environments, including hands-on work with JCL, CICS, VSAM, and DB2.
  • 2Demonstrated project or professional experience in at least one supplemental language such as Rust, C++, Java, Kotlin/JVM, or Python.
  • 3Strong written communication skills—able to articulate not just what code does but why it is correct and idiomatic.
  • 4Experience with financial system backends (e.g., banking, insurance) is a significant plus, especially any work touching data or database migrations.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a seasoned COBOL expert who thrives on diving into intricate mainframe details and wants to shape AI's future in legacy systems. You should be comfortable working independently during a short, fast-paced sprint and enjoy explaining your reasoning clearly in writing. Practitioners from banking, insurance, or government backgrounds—even those without a GitHub presence—are warmly encouraged.

Salary Insight

Compensation is $100–$200 per hour, depending on depth of experience and domain expertise.

Application Tip

Emphasize your hands-on experience with database migration projects on mainframes, especially any involving complex VSAM or DB2 schemas. Use concrete examples of your work to demonstrate both technical depth and your ability to write clear, reasoned explanations.

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