Mainframe Data Modernization Architect

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world’s leading businesses.  We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people—Kyndryls—that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

The Role

Your Role:

As a Principal Data Modernization Architect, you will define and own the target-state data architecture for enterprise modernization and cloud transformation programs. You will provide technical leadership across multiple initiatives, guiding teams and executive stakeholders on legacy database transformation, migration strategies, and enterprise data governance.

What You Will Do:

• Data Modernization Architecture: Assess legacy data environments (DB2, IMS DB, FOCUS, VSAM), define target-state architectures, develop modernization roadmaps aligned with cloud transformation, establish enterprise migration standards/frameworks, and guide target platform selection.
• Database Transformation Strategy: Design migration approaches for legacy hierarchical and relational databases to modern relational, NoSQL, and cloud-native services; drive database decomposition and domain separation; and govern schema transformation, data model redesign, metadata, data quality, and data integrity.
• Data Migration & Coexistence: Architect high-volume, near-zero-downtime migrations and cutovers using migration waves, Change Data Capture (CDC), and real-time synchronization to ensure data consistency during coexistence periods.
• Data Architecture & Governance: Establish enterprise data modeling, lineage, traceability, security, compliance, privacy, performance, scalability, backup, and disaster recovery (DR) standards while collaborating with application architects.
• Technical Leadership: Provide architectural oversight across modernization programs, conduct architecture reviews, approve transformation designs, mentor engineering and migration teams, and advise executive stakeholders on strategic decisions.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience defining target-state enterprise data architectures and modernization roadmaps aligned with cloud transformations.
• Deep hands-on expertise assessing and migrating legacy mainframe data platforms, including DB2, IMS DB, FOCUS, and VSAM.
• Proven track record designing migrations from legacy hierarchical and relational databases to modern relational, NoSQL, and cloud-native databases.
• Strong expertise in database decomposition, data domain separation, schema transformation, and data model redesign.
• Demonstrated experience architecting high-volume, near-zero-downtime data migrations, coexistence architectures, and cutover strategies.
• Practical proficiency implementing Change Data Capture (CDC) and real-time data synchronization mechanisms.
• Solid background establishing enterprise data governance, lineage, metadata management, data quality, security, privacy, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience defining non-functional database standards, including performance, scalability, backup, recovery, and disaster recovery (DR).
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience establishing enterprise-wide migration patterns, frameworks, and architectural review boards.
• Strong background collaborating with application architects to align data and application modernization strategies.
• Proven leadership mentoring database engineers, migration specialists, and cross-functional modernization teams.
• Ability to advise and influence executive stakeholders on complex modernization recommendations and strategic investments.
• Experience managing data consistency and reconciliation across hybrid source and target environments during multi-wave migrations.
• Deep understanding of cloud-native data ecosystems and multi-cloud database services.
• Track record governing large-scale enterprise programs with strict regulatory and data traceability requirements.
  

Your Future at Kyndryl:

Every position at Kyndryl offers a way forward to grow your career. We have opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else, including hands-on experience, learning opportunities, and the chance to certify in all four major platforms. Whether you want to broaden your knowledge base or narrow your scope and specialize in a specific sector, you can find your opportunity here.

Who You Are

You’re good at what you do and possess the required experience to prove it. However, equally as important ,you have a growth mindset; keen to drive your own personal and professional development. You are customer-focused , someone who prioritizes customer success in their work. And finally, you’re open and borderless , naturally inclusive in how you work with others.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 15+ years in data and database architecture, including 7+ years leading enterprise-scale database migration, modernization, synchronization, and coexistence programs from mainframe environments.
• Legacy Mainframe Technologies: Deep expertise in IBM DB2, IMS DB, FOCUS, VSAM, legacy mainframe data architectures, and mainframe data modeling.
• Modern Database Platforms: Strong proficiency across PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, NoSQL databases (MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cassandra, Cosmos DB), and cloud-native database services.
• Data Engineering & Migration: Hands-on experience with data modeling, schema transformation, ETL/ELT design, Change Data Capture (CDC), data synchronization, and data migration frameworks.
• Data Management & Governance: Proven background in establishing data quality management and enterprise data governance frameworks.
• Architecture & Operations: Expertise in enterprise data architecture, High Availability (HA), Disaster Recovery (DR), database security, performance engineering, and capacity planning.
• High-Volume Execution: Demonstrated success designing and delivering high-volume migration solutions and complex cutover plans.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mainframe Modernization Expertise: Skilled in hierarchical-to-relational transformation, database decomposition strategies, relational-to-NoSQL architecture decisions, mainframe data encoding/data-type/structure transformation, and EBCDIC-to-ASCII/Unicode conversion.
• Large-Scale Migration & Coexistence: Experience executing multi-wave migrations using near-zero-downtime cutover strategies, parallel run/synchronization models, CDC architectures, and data reconciliation/validation frameworks.
• Modernization Governance: Background in data lineage, impact analysis, mainframe-to-cloud data coexistence, hybrid data architecture, data domain rationalization, and migration risk assessment/mitigation.
• Industry & Program Governance: Experience governing enterprise-wide data architecture and modernization programs in mission-critical industries (banking, insurance, retail, or healthcare).
• Cloud & AI Tooling: Hands-on experience with cloud database platforms on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, plus exposure to AI-assisted modernization and automated schema transformation tools.

Being You

The “Kyn” in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we’re excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging — being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team — is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That’s The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure with purpose.  We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health—because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won’t just contribute—you’ll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We’re here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you’ll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You’ll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities—from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you’ll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

We want you to thrive here—and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what’s next.

Get Referred!

If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked ‘How Did You Hear About Us’ during the application process, select ‘Employee Referral’ and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.