Lead Product Developer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Lead Product Developer based in United States.

This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an experienced mainframe developer to shape and enhance mission-critical IBM Db2 products. You will lead the design, development, testing, and maintenance of core solutions operating in complex z/OS and Db2 environments. Acting as a subject matter expert, you will influence technical direction, solve challenging system-level problems, and help maintain product quality and reliability.

The role combines deep expertise in C, C++, and mainframe internals with technical mentoring and collaboration across global teams. You will also engage directly with international customers to resolve complex product issues and escalations. This is a fully remote position for candidates based in Canada or the United States, with occasional business travel.

• Lead the design, development, testing, maintenance, and delivery of Db2 products and solutions using C, C++, HLASM, and related technologies.
• Drive the implementation of complex product enhancements and resolve sophisticated software defects across core mainframe solutions.
• Develop high-quality technical designs and evaluate alternative solutions using broad knowledge of mainframe architecture and systems programming.
• Conduct code and design reviews to maintain engineering standards, product quality, and technical consistency.
• Assess changes introduced by IBM Db2, determine their impact on existing products, and keep development practices aligned with evolving mainframe technologies and industry trends.
• Investigate and troubleshoot complex issues at both application and system levels, including dump analysis and low-level operating system behavior.
• Work directly with global customers to investigate and resolve critical product issues and technical escalations.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert, mentoring developers and providing guidance across projects and teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvements in the product development lifecycle, including the adoption of AI-assisted tools for software design, coding, testing, debugging, refactoring, and documentation.

• 10+ years of experience working in IBM z/OS environments, with strong knowledge of z/OS structure, logic, and internals, as well as Db2 internals.
• 10+ years of IBM mainframe development experience, including extensive systems-level programming in C and C++, beyond application development alone.
• Strong working knowledge of HLASM, CLIST, and JCL.
• Significant experience with JES2 and the IBM mainframe ecosystem, including TSO/ISPF, Db2, and VSAM.
• Strong dump-reading and diagnostic skills using tools such as IPCS and XDC.
• Experience developing system-level code that uses low-level operating system functions to achieve specific technical outcomes.
• Ability to translate business requirements into functional designs and technical specifications.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex application and system-level problems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Clear communication and technical leadership skills, including the ability to mentor developers and explain complex technical concepts.
• Familiarity with source code management tools such as BMC Code Pipeline and Git Hub is an advantage.
• Knowledge of IBM z/OSMF workflows and SMP/E is beneficial.
• Experience with mainframe Db2 and z/OS system administration or mainframe product support is an asset.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools such as Cursor.ai, particularly for code generation, unit testing, debugging, refactoring, code reviews, and technical documentation, is a plus.
• Candidates must be based in Canada or the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available.

• Estimated annual base salary range of $132,975–$221,625; actual compensation depends on skills, experience, training, and organizational considerations.
• Potential eligibility for variable compensation, depending on the role and applicable plan.
• Country-specific employee benefits; detailed healthcare, retirement, and leave provisions are not specified in the listing.
• Fully remote working arrangement for eligible candidates based in Canada or the United States.
• Opportunity to work on established, business-critical IBM Db2 and z/OS products.
• Exposure to complex systems programming, evolving mainframe…