CGI – Mainframes Trained Grads

Job Description

CGI is looking for Mainframe Trained Graduates to join its Software Development and Engineering team as Mainframe Apprentices. This opportunity is designed for fresh graduates and early-career professionals who have completed foundational training in mainframe technologies and want to build practical experience in enterprise software development. The selected candidates will work under the guidance of experienced developers and support professionals while learning how large-scale mainframe applications are developed, tested, maintained, and supported. The role provides hands-on exposure to core technologies including COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, CICS, z/OS concepts, and mainframe utilities. Candidates will gradually become familiar with organizational applications, development tools, business processes, coding standards, testing practices, and production support activities while working as part of a collaborative technology team.

As a Mainframe Apprentice, you will initially work on assigned technical tasks under the supervision of senior team members. Your responsibilities may include creating and executing basic JCL jobs, analyzing job outputs, performing COBOL coding and debugging, and writing SQL queries for DB2 databases. You will also learn to identify common compilation issues, JCL errors, job failures, and abends while receiving guidance from experienced professionals. Following established software development lifecycle, documentation, testing, and change-management procedures will be an important part of the position. As your technical understanding develops, you will progressively take greater ownership of assigned activities and contribute more independently to mainframe application development and maintenance.

This role offers a strong starting point for graduates who want to establish a career in mainframe development, enterprise application support, COBOL programming, or legacy technology modernization. CGI provides an environment centered on collaboration, learning, ownership, and professional development, giving new team members opportunities to work with experienced colleagues and gain exposure to global technology and business environments. In addition to the core mainframe skills, knowledge of SQL, Python, Oracle, FastAPI, and emerging areas such as AI governance can provide additional value as technology landscapes continue to evolve. Candidates who demonstrate curiosity, discipline, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to learn can use this opportunity to build a solid foundation in enterprise software engineering.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Support mainframe application development and maintenance activities under the direction of senior developers and experienced technical team members.
• Create, modify, submit, and execute basic JCL jobs, while reviewing job outputs and learning how to identify issues within batch-processing workflows.
• Perform basic COBOL programming, testing, and debugging activities under supervision while following established development and coding standards.
• Write and execute basic DB2 SQL queries to retrieve and work with application data and support assigned database-related activities.
• Develop an understanding of VSAM files, CICS transactions, z/OS concepts, and mainframe utilities used within enterprise application environments.
• Analyze basic COBOL compilation errors, JCL errors, job failures, and abends, escalating complex issues to senior team members when required.
• Assist with application testing by executing assigned test cases, validating results, documenting defects, and supporting corrective actions.
• Follow established coding, testing, documentation, version/change-management, and software development processes.
• Learn the organization's mainframe applications, technical tools, operational procedures, and associated business processes.
• Collaborate with senior developers, application support teams, and other technology professionals to understand assigned tasks and resolve technical issues.
• Gradually take ownership of assigned development and support activities as technical knowledge and confidence increase.
• Continuously strengthen mainframe programming, database, troubleshooting, and software engineering skills through hands-on learning and feedback from experienced team members.

Requirements & Eligibility

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline.
• Candidates should have completed foundational training in mainframe technologies.
• Fresh graduates and candidates beginning their professional software development careers are suitable for this apprenticeship-oriented opportunity.
• Basic knowledge of COBOL programming, including an understanding of program structure, variables, data handling, and basic debugging.
• Understanding of JCL and the ability to create, modify, and execute basic batch jobs.
• Familiarity with DB2 and SQL, including the ability to write basic database queries.
• Foundational understanding of VSAM, CICS, z/OS concepts, and mainframe utilities.
• Ability to understand basic compilation errors, JCL issues, job outputs, and abends with appropriate guidance.
• Understanding of fundamental software development practices such as coding, testing, debugging, documentation, and change management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to systematically investigate technical issues.
• Good communication and collaboration skills for working with senior developers and application support teams.
• Willingness to learn enterprise applications, unfamiliar tools, technical processes, and business-domain concepts.

Preferred Skills – Good to Have

• Basic Python programming knowledge.
• Working knowledge of SQL beyond basic DB2 query development.
• Familiarity with Oracle databases and relational database concepts.
• Exposure to FastAPI or Python-based backend development.
• Awareness of AI Governance principles and responsible use of AI technologies.
• Basic understanding of modern software engineering practices and application development workflows.
• Exposure to enterprise application support, batch processing, or production environments.

Key Competencies

• COBOL Programming
• JCL
• DB2 & SQL
• VSAM
• CICS
• z/OS Concepts
• Mainframe Utilities
• Debugging
• Problem Solving
• Application Support
• Software Testing
• Analytical Thinking
• Team Collaboration
• Continuous Learning

What We Are Looking For

CGI is looking for graduates who have already developed a foundational understanding of mainframe technologies and are ready to convert their classroom or training knowledge into practical experience. The ideal candidate should have a basic understanding of COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, CICS, and z/OS and should be comfortable learning how these technologies work together within enterprise applications. Advanced professional experience is not expected at this stage. Instead, the ability to understand technical concepts, follow instructions carefully, troubleshoot basic problems, and learn from experienced team members will be particularly valuable.

The successful candidate should also demonstrate ownership, discipline, curiosity, and a genuine interest in building a career in enterprise software engineering. Mainframe environments often support critical business applications, so attention to detail, adherence to established processes, and careful testing are essential. Candidates should be comfortable collaborating with senior developers and support teams while gradually taking responsibility for their assigned work. Additional knowledge of Python, SQL, Oracle, FastAPI, or AI governance can strengthen a candidate's profile, particularly for professionals interested in combining traditional enterprise technologies with modern software development practices.

Role Focus

Primary Focus: Mainframe Software Development

Secondary Focus: COBOL, JCL, DB2, Application Support, Testing

Experience

Freshers / Mainframe Trained Graduates

This role is primarily suited to graduates who have completed foundational mainframe training and are looking to begin their professional career in software development and enterprise application support.

Expected Salary

For a Mainframe Apprentice / entry-level Mainframe Developer position in Hyderabad, a reasonable market estimate is approximately ₹3 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh per annum, depending on the candidate's educational background, mainframe training, technical proficiency, and recruitment level. The actual compensation offered by CGI may vary based on internal pay structures, candidate profile, applicable policies, and benefits.

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