SAS Mainframe Modernization Architect

We are seeking an experienced SAS Mainframe Modernization Architect to join our high-performing team supporting a strategic client. This hybrid role blends hands-on technical expertise with architectural leadership - you will analyze and optimize legacy SAS workloads running on mainframe systems, ensure seamless integration with COBOL, JCL, and other utilities, and define the roadmap to modernize and transition SAS pipelines into cloud-native platforms. What You'll Do SAS Code Expertise * Reverse-engineer, analyze, and document existing SAS codebases on mainframe (z/OS). * Interpret complex SAS jobs, including macros, stored processes, datasets, PROCs, and data transformations. * Optimize existing SAS workloads for efficiency, scalability, and maintainability. * Recommend opportunities to refactor, consolidate, or replace SAS jobs with modern tooling. Modernization & Cloud Transition * Design the end-to-end architecture for migrating SAS jobs, datasets, and reports into modern data and analytics platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, SAS Viya). * Map existing SAS workflows to equivalent cloud-native ETL/ELT pipelines. * Collaborate with data engineers to re-engineer batch-driven SAS processes into real-time or micro-batch pipelines. What You Bring SAS & Mainframe Specialization * Deep expertise in SAS Base, SAS Macro, SAS SQL, and Proc-based programming. * Proven ability to analyze large SAS codebases and translate them into modernization requirements. * Strong hands-on experience with SAS on Mainframe (z/OS), including job execution, debugging, and optimization. Mainframe Technologies * Advanced knowledge of JCL, COBOL, DB2, and VSAM, with experience integrating SAS jobs across these technologies. * Familiarity with batch scheduling tools such as CA7, Control-M, and ESP. Modernization & Cloud * Prior experience leading SAS-to-cloud migration or modernization programs. * Strong understanding of modern data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake). General Requirements * 12+ years of IT experience, with at least 6-8 years in SAS Mainframe Architecture and modernization. * Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills. * Strong communication and leadership skills, ideally in the banking/financial services domain.