Mainframe Platform Architect

Description and Requirements
The Team You Will Join
The Mainframe Infrastructure team is responsible for all hardware, software, maintenance & upgrades of our mainframe platform. The team also functions as a governance entity for our managed service provider, Kyndryl, and ensuring they maintain operational excellence. While Kyndryl is responsible for all L1/L2 and some L3 support, MetLife is looking to build a team to provide L3 infrastructure support over the platform, helping to improve existing processes and champion the platform internally to our application developer stakeholders.
The Opportunity
The Mainframe Platform Architect is responsible for providing both architectural direction and oversight to Kyndryl L1/L2 staff. This primarily includes ensuring Kyndryl meets their KPIs on both BAU and project oriented work, as well as providing technical direction to Kyndryl on Metlife's behalf. This role is also responsible for ensuring that all access related requests meet Metlife's internal security policies across our USA based systems. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team of contractors active in various projects and drive modernization efforts.
Success in this role requires both technical and people management acumen. The Mainframe Platform Architect is responsible for over 100 contractors and various third party vendors. You'll collaborate closely with both Metlife associates and third party vendors in an environment where every contribution is respected, and every perspective is heard.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities)

• Lead technical direction for the future state of the mainframe platform.
• Create and implement project plans & various POCs where Kyndryl staff are required.
• Oversee Kyndryl's daily BAU work and ensure they meet their KPI's.
• Manage Metlife's interests on mainframe infrastructure related items.
• Perform risk analysis on weekly changes from a security, reliability, and performance perspective.
• Be a coordinator between Kyndryl and Metlife on mainframe infrastructure, as well as a technical leader.
• Work with third party vendors to stay up to date on our product licensing.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of experience working with/on mainframe related technologies.
• Experience using ServiceNow, SailPoint, and/or Archer, etc.
• Experience with RACF and/or SAF and/or having a security-first mindset.
• Experience with project management and/or people management.
• Familiarity with change management processes & change management lifecycles.
• Experience working with internal audits.

Preferred Skills:

• Having deep expertise of the overall mainframe platform (hardware, z/OS, middleware, and everything in between) is preferred. Having a "jack of all trades" knowledge for this role is highly valuable.
• zSecure/CARLa scripting is a plus, along with a security-first mindset.
• Previous governance role experience is a massive plus.
• Experience with mainframe modernization efforts and related technologies (zLinux, Ansible, Python, etc.), or a strong willingness to learn.
• Willingness to learn the "Metlife" way of doing things (i.e. internal tooling for vendor management, security requests, etc.).

At MetLife, we're leading the global transformation of an industry we've long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we're dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.
The expected salary range for this position is $110,000 - $165,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2025 "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™ for 2024, as well as the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.
$110,000 - $165,000