Mainframe Migration Test Architect-REMOTE

Req ID: 383109

NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.

We are currently seeking a Mainframe Migration Test Architect-REMOTE to join our team in McKinney, Texas (US-TX), United States (US).

Mainframe Migration Test Architect

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Test Architect to lead the end-to-end testing strategy, planning, governance, and execution for a large-scale z/VSE to z/OS migration program . This role will be responsible for defining the testing approach, ensuring comprehensive coverage across applications, infrastructure, data, security, and operational processes, while providing overall quality and release readiness governance.

The ideal candidate must possess deep Mainframe testing and migration expertise and have prior experience leading testing efforts for Mainframe modernization, platform migration, or legacy transformation programs. A key responsibility of this role is establishing a risk-based testing strategy , ensuring testing effort is aligned to the scope and complexity of changes introduced by the migration rather than applying uniform testing across all components

Key Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Governance

• Define and own the overall migration testing strategy, framework, and roadmap.
• Establish testing standards, quality gates, entry/exit criteria, and governance processes.
• Develop a risk-based testing methodology aligned to migration waves and cutover milestones.
• Provide executive reporting on testing progress, quality metrics, risks, and release readiness.

Risk-Based Testing & Change Impact Assessment

• Lead application and infrastructure impact assessments to understand migration-related changes.
• Establish a risk-ranking model to classify components as High, Medium, or Low Risk based on:
• Code modifications
• JCL conversion impacts
• Data migration changes
• CICS transaction changes
• Interface dependencies
• Security changes
• Operational and scheduler impacts
• Business criticality
• Design testing depth and coverage based on migration risk and business impact.
• Focus testing effort on areas of highest risk while optimizing effort for unchanged components.
• Maintain a Testing Risk Register and Migration Testing Heat Map.
• Identify migration-specific risks and ensure mitigation plans are incorporated into testing activities.

Test Planning & Design

• Develop comprehensive testing plans covering:
• System Testing
• System Integration Testing (SIT)
• End-to-End Business Process Testing
• Regression Testing
• Data Validation & Reconciliation Testing
• Performance & Volume Testing
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Cutover & Rollback Validation Testing
• Establish traceability between requirements, migration changes, risks, and test cases.

Mainframe & Migration Validation

• Define testing coverage for:
• COBOL applications
• CICS transactions
• JCL conversion and batch processing
• VSAM, DB2, and IMS databases
• File transfers and interfaces
• Security configurations and access controls
• Enterprise schedulers
• Infrastructure and operational procedures
• Validate functional equivalence and operational readiness of workloads migrated to z/OS.
• Ensure proper reconciliation of converted data and migrated business processes.

Federated Test Leadership

• Coordinate testing across:
• Mainframe Teams
• Application Teams
• Infrastructure Teams
• Security Teams
• Database Teams
• Business SMEs
• Establish testing standards and reusable assets across workstreams.
• Lead defect triage, prioritization, and remediation activities.
• Drive issue resolution and dependency management across teams.

Cutover Readiness & Deployment Validation

• Define cutover rehearsal and mock migration testing strategies.
• Validate production deployment procedures and rollback capabilities.
• Ensure all critical business processes are successfully executed during rehearsal events.
• Provide Go/No-Go recommendations for migration releases.

Preferred Qualifications

Mandatory Mainframe Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Test Architecture, Test Management, or Quality Engineering.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Mainframe applications, platforms, and testing methodologies.
• Experience with:
• z/VSE
• z/OS
• COBOL
• CICS
• JCL
• VSAM
• DB2 and/or IMS
• RACF / ACF2 / Top Secret
• Batch Processing
• Enterprise Scheduling tools
• Demonstrated experience leading testing for Mainframe modernization, platform upgrades, rehosting, or z/VSE-to-z/OS migration initiatives.

Risk-Based Testing Expertise

• Proven experience implementing risk-based testing methodologies within complex transformation programs.
• Strong ability to conduct migration impact assessments and translate findings into targeted testing strategies.
• Experience identifying and prioritizing testing scope based on technical, business, operational, and compliance risks.
• Ability to balance test coverage, quality, and program timelines through intelligent risk management.

Leadership & Communication

• Experience leading large, cross-functional testing organizations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across business and technology teams.
• Exceptional executive communication and governance reporting capabilities.

Deliverables

• Enterprise Test Strategy
• Risk-Based Testing Framework
• Migration Test Plan
• Test Coverage Matrix
• Impact Assessment & Risk Heat Map
• Environment & Test Data Strategy
• SIT and End-to-End Test Plans
• Defect Management Process
• Cutover Rehearsal Plan
• Go/No-Go Readiness Assessments
• Executive Quality Dashboards

Basic Qualifications

Minimum 8 years Technical Architecture-Mainframe experience

NTT DATA provides a reasonable range of compensation for U.S.-based positions. The starting pay range for this remote role is $122,648-$283,906. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Actual compensation will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate’s actual work location, relevant experience, technical skills, and other qualifications. 

This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation based on individual and/or company performance. 

This position is eligible for company benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution, flexible spending or health savings account, life and AD&D insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program with company match, and additional voluntary or legally-required benefits.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com, @nttdatafed.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, 

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