AS400 / IBM i Application Architect (RPG/ILE)Work Authorization: USCClearance: Active Public Trust Clearance – 6C (required)Location: RemotePosition SummaryWe are seeking a highly experienced AS400 / IBM i Application Architect to own end-to-end architecture, modernization strategy, and technical governance for large-scale IBM i environments. This role requires deep hands-on expertise in IBM i (AS400), RPG/ILE, CL, and DB2 for i, with strong architectural leadership across legacy modernization, system integration, performance optimization, and operational governance. The architect will be responsible for assessing the full IBM i landscape, including applications, data, batch and online workloads, integrations, security controls, and operational processes—and defining a pragmatic modernization roadmap that enables coexistence with modern platforms such as .NET-based systems.
Experience with Synon is preferred to core IBM i architecture and RPG/ILE expertise. The ideal candidate can modernize and evolve IBM i systems while preserving stability, transaction integrity, and operational SLAs.Experience Requirements (Mandatory)25+ years of total IT experience15+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, modernizing, or governing IBM i (AS400) enterprise systemsDeep expertise in RPG/ILE (primary), including architecture-level design, refactoring, and performance tuningStrong experience with DB2 for i, batch/online processing, and IBM i operational architectureSynon / CA 2E preferred but not mandatory – sufficient depth to assess models, analyze impact, and plan modernizationProven experience integrating IBM i systems with .NET or other distributed platforms (coexistence, service enablement, or phased migration)Experience leading modernization initiatives in complex, high-volume, mission-critical environmentsCore Technical SkillsIBM i / AS400 Architecture & Development (Primary)IBM i platform architecture: Subsystems, job queues, workload managementMemory, storage, and performance planningObject-level security and authorization modelsRPG III/IV, RPGLE (ILE RPG) – expert-levelCL / CLLECOBOL (nice-to-have)DB2 for i: Schema and physical designIndexing and query optimizationJournaling and commitment controlBatch and online processing: Job scheduling and orchestrationThroughput tuning and batch window optimizationSQL on IBM i: Embedded SQLStored proceduresPerformance diagnostics and tuningDevelopment tooling: RDi (preferred)SEU/PDM (legacy)Compare/merge and change management toolsIntegration & ModernizationIntegrate IBM i applications with .NET-based and distributed systems using: APIs and service layersMessaging and event-driven patternsETL and data synchronization approachesApply modernization patterns: Strangler patternService encapsulationModularization and capability-based migrationModernize: User interfacesBatch workloadsReporting and data access layersIntegration technologies: IBM i Web Services / IWSODBC / JDBCMQSFTP and file-based integrationsKey ResponsibilitiesOwn enterprise and solution architecture for IBM i (AS400) environmentsAssess the full system landscape: Application inventory and dependenciesData models and flowsBatch and online processingIntegrations and operational controlsDefine target-state architecture connecting IBM i with.NET and other platforms: Integration standardsData governanceService boundariesSecurity architectureProduce architecture deliverables: High-level and low-level designs (HLD/LLD)Sequence and integration diagramsDeployment modelsOperational runbooksLead modernization from RPG-based systems toward service-enabled and modular architecturesDevelop and execute a phased modernization roadmap, including: StabilizationEncapsulationModularizationService extractionSelective re-platformingMake refactoring decisions that preserve: Transaction integrityAuditabilityPerformance SLAsBatch window constraintsDefine and enforce: RPGLE, CLLE, and SQL coding standardsAPI and service design standardsLead performance tuning across: DB2 for iBatch parallelizationJob orchestration and workload managementImprove DevOps and ALM practices: Version controlBuild and release automationRegression testing strategiesEnsure compliance with Public Trust (6C) security requirements: Least privilegeSegregation of dutiesLogging and monitoringSecure data handlingSupport audits through evidence gathering: Access logsChange and deployment recordsApproval trailsCollaborate with security teams on vulnerability management and remediationTranslate complex legacy constraints into clear, actionable modernization strategies for business and technical stakeholdersMentor senior developers and lead technical design reviews and architecture sessionsEmployment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship and maintaining an active Public Trust (6C) clearance. The candidate must comply with all federal security and data handling policies.