Application Modernization Architect

Job Title:Application Modernization Architect
Location: Dallas, TX,
Duration: 12+ months Contract

Description:
Architect role for a modernization program rehosting legacy mainframe applications to UniKix. Responsible for defining testing strategy, evaluating and adopting tools, enabling reverse engineering, executing POCs, and ensuring quality, performance, and functional equivalence of migrated applications. The role works closely with client application SMEs, testing teams, and migration teams.
Project description:
Define endtoend testing scope by identifying inscope application components (batch jobs, online transactions, screens) and required testing types (system, integration, regression, performance, comparison).
Analyze and document internal/external dependencies and data inflow/outflow in source and target (UniKix) environments, including integrations with distributed systems, MQ, and other mainframe systems.
Identify, evaluate, and recommend tools and accelerators for:
Baseline, comparison, and regression testing
Reverse engineering of legacy applications
Performance and load testing across mainframe and Unix environments.

Required skills: Strong experience with mainframe technologies: COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, VSAM. Working knowledge of UniKix or similar mainframe rehosting platforms.
Experience in mainframe modernization/rehosting programs.
Expertise in testing strategy, regression/comparison testing, performance testing, and reverse engineering.
Familiarity with Unix/Linux and distributed systems.
Proven experience leading POCs, tool evaluations, and client demos.
Strong documentation, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
Nice to have skills:
Rehosting (Mainframe to UniKix)

The Application Architect Application Modernization is responsible for designing and guiding the transformation of legacy systems into modern, scalable, and cloud-native architectures. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision to ensure that applications are restructured, replat formed, or refactored to align with current business needs and future growth. Key Responsibilities: Lead the end-to-end architecture of modernization initiatives across cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud, Google Cloud). Design microservices, APIs, data models, and integration patterns that support modular, scalable, and maintainable applications. Define containerization and orchestration strategies using Docker and Kubernetes. Architect secure, resilient, and compliant systems with a focus on cloud-native security and governance. Collaborate with development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to implement CI/CD pipelines and automation frameworks. Guide the adoption of generative AI technologies (Watson, Azure OpenAI, Bedrock, Vertex AI) into modernized applications. Develop modernization roadmaps using methodologies like AMM (Application Modernization Method) and tools such as ICA (IBM Cloud Automation). Ensure robust testing governance and performance optimization throughout the modernization lifecycle.Provide architectural oversight for data migration, legacy system integration (e.g., RPG, AIX, Mainframe Z), and hybrid cloud deployments.