Software Engineer Principal - Mainframe

Position Overview At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Software Engineer Principal-Mainframe within PNC's C/IB organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh PA PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals.   PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position. Job Description The Principal Software Engineer provides technical direction, drives architecture decisions, and ensures alignment with PNC’s engineering standards and strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities Lead the design, development, and implementation of mainframe applications supporting enterprise banking systems Provide subject matter expertise in COBOL-based development, ensuring scalable and maintainable solutions Develop, enhance, and maintain applications utilizing: CICS (Channels & Containers) JCL (Job Control Language) Batch processing and scheduling tools (CA7 / Control-M) Design and optimize high-throughput batch and online transaction processing systems Analyze and translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions Drive modernization initiatives, including integration of mainframe systems with distributed architectures Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and performance tuning efforts across mainframe environments Ensure adherence to SDLC, DevOps practices, and enterprise governance standards Collaborate cross-functionally with architects, product owners, and infrastructure teams Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across project teams Preferred Skills: Strong experience in Mainframe Development Advanced proficiency in: COBOL CICS (Channels & Containers) JCL CA7 / Control-M (job scheduling and batch processing) Proven ability to design and support mission-critical, large-scale systems Deep understanding of batch and real-time processing frameworks Experience working in regulated, high-availability environments (e.g., banking, financial services) Strong analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills Nice to have: Prior technical leadership or lead engineering experience Demonstrated ability to operate as a self-motivated, independent contributor Strong solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to drive outcomes Experience leading or supporting application modernization initiatives Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be: Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions. Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework. Qualifications Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position. Preferred Skills Application Development, Business Management, CICS COBOL, COBOL, Customer Solutions, Design, Group Problem Solving, Job Control Language (JCL), Mainframe Programming, Process Improvements, Release Management, Software Solutions, User Experience (UX) Design Competencies Application Design, Architecture, Packaged Application Integration, Product and Vendor Evaluation, Software Process Improvement (SPI), System Development Life Cycle, Technical Troubleshooting Work Experience Roles at this level typically require a university / college degree, with 5+ years of industry-relevant experience. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered. Education Bachelors Certifications No Required Certification(s) Licenses No Required License(s) Benefits PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives. In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service. To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visit  pncthrive.com . Disability Accommodations Statement If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at Accommodat