Senior IBMi Architect
Role Overview
Highly experienced AS400 (IBM i / iSeries) Architects with around 20 years of enterprise IT experience to lead modernization, migration, and strategic transformation initiatives across critical systems. Deep expertise spanning technical architecture, business domain knowledge, and enterprise solution design, particularly within Leasing, Banking, and Insurance industries.
IBMi /iSeries Architect focuses on below aspects
Technical: Platform engineering, modernization, integrations, performance, and migration.
Functional: Business processes, domain mapping, system capabilities, and functional transformation.
Solutioning: End-to-end architecture, enterprise integration, modernization strategy, and governance.
Key Responsibilities
Define enterprise architecture strategy for AS400/IBMi platforms.
Design scalable and resilient application architectures.
Lead large-scale legacy migrations & modernization initiatives mentioned below
AS400 → Cloud based applications
AS400 → Distributed platforms (Java/.NET/Microservices)
Database modernization (DB2 → RDBMS/Data Lakes)
Executes code analysis & rationalization, dependency mapping, data migration strategies, parallel run & cutover planning, define rollback and risk mitigation strategies and implement automated migration tooling and frameworks.
Decommissioning & Application Rationalization
Identify redundant/obsolete applications.
Perform system usage and business impact analysis.
Define decommissioning strategy like Data archival, Compliance retention, Interface retirement, ensure zero business disruption during Migration phases and Lead legacy system sunset governance.
Interfaces & Integration Architecture
Design and govern integrations between AS400 and enterprise ecosystems like APIs (REST/SOAP),MQ Series, event-driven integrations, batch interfaces, file-based integrations, Integrate with Digital platforms, Core banking systems, CRM/ERP systems, Payment gateways, define API enablement strategy for legacy systems and Implement middleware and integration patterns.
Application Architecture
Architect modular and service-oriented AS400 applications.
Define layered architecture, data access strategies, security architecture and performance optimization
Modernize RPG/RPGLE/CL/CLLE/COBOL monoliths, Green-screen applications → Web/UI platforms, Establish coding and architectural standards.
Domain Expertise Responsibilities
Leasing:
Contract lifecycle management, Asset finance systems, Billing & payment schedules,
Residual value management, Regulatory leasing compliance.
Banking:
Core banking operations, mortgage & deposits processing, payments & settlements, risk & compliance workflows, regulatory reporting frameworks.
Governance & Leadership
Provide architectural governance and design authority, lead architecture review boards, mentor engineering teams and architects, collaborate with business stakeholders/executives and define enterprise standards and best practices.
Technical Skills
AS400 / IBM i Expertise, RPG III / RPG IV / RPGLE / Free-format RPG, CL Programming, COBOL (AS400), DB2/400 database design & optimization, Query/400, SQLRPGLE, ILE concepts, Modernization & Integration, API enablement, Microservices architecture, Middleware platforms, Messaging systems (MQ), Event-driven architecture, Modern Platforms migration strategies, Hybrid architecture, containerization concepts, Code analysis & scanning tools, Data migration tools, Aldon, x-Analysis, Robot, Macro4, implementer, OMS, life/400.
Functional Skills
Business process modelling, requirement decomposition, functional gap analysis, stakeholder workshops, regulatory compliance mapping, enterprise data modelling.
Solution Architecture Competencies
Architecture governance, solution blueprinting, non-functional design, security, availability, performance, scalability and Cost optimization & ROI analysis.
Experience Requirements
20+ years IT experience.
15+ years working on AS400 / IBM i environments.
Proven leadership in enterprise modernization programs.
Experience with complex application transformation initiatives.
Hands-on architecture and delivery experience.
Soft Skills
Executive communication capability.
Strategic thinking mindset.
Stakeholder influence and negotiation.
Strong documentation and presentation skills.
Cross-functional leadership.