Associate Director - Application Architecture

Role Summary

As a Solution Architect specializing in Application and Mainframe Modernization, you will help enterprise clients transform and modernize complex legacy application environments. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will define modernization strategies, target architectures, migration approaches, and implementation roadmaps aligned to business objectives.

You will work closely with business and technology stakeholders while providing architectural leadership across assessment, planning, integration, migration, and modernization initiatives, leveraging AI-powered modernization capabilities to accelerate business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead application modernization assessments and discovery activities to understand business objectives, application landscapes, dependencies, risks, and transformation opportunities.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business and technology stakeholders, facilitating workshops, architecture reviews, and modernization planning sessions.
• Define modernization strategies, target-state architectures, migration approaches, and implementation roadmaps for large-scale application transformation programs.
• Analyze legacy environments including mainframe applications, databases, integrations, and batch workloads to develop practical modernization recommendations.
• Provide architectural leadership throughout delivery, including governance, design reviews, migration planning, testing strategies, implementation oversight, and solution assurance.
• Leverage AI-assisted modernization capabilities and automation technologies to improve application analysis, code understanding, testing, documentation, and migration efficiency.
• Support business development activities, including solution design, proposal development, RFP responses, effort estimation, and executive-level presentations.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in application architecture, software engineering, enterprise modernization, or technical consulting, with proven leadership in large-scale modernization or transformation programs.
• Proven experience in client-facing architecture, advisory, consulting, or pre-sales roles, with the ability to translate business objectives into modernization strategies and technical roadmaps.
• Hands-on experience with IBM Z, Fujitsu, Unisys, or comparable legacy platforms, including technologies such as COBOL, PL/I, JCL, CICS, IMS, DB2, VSAM, MQ, and batch processing.
• Experience assessing complex application portfolios and defining modernization strategies, target-state architectures, migration approaches, transition-state architectures, and implementation roadmaps.
• Strong understanding of application dependencies, interfaces, databases, operational processes, technical risks, and modernization patterns across mission-critical enterprise environments.
• Experience leveraging AI-assisted modernization capabilities, with knowledge of responsible AI principles, data privacy regulations, and enterprise security requirements.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and consulting skills, with business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English, a customer-first mindset, and a passion for continuous learning and innovation.

Preferred skills and experience

• Experience with CA/Broadcom technologies such as Endevor, Gen (Cool:Gen), IDMS, Datacom, CA 7, CA Ideal, Easytrieve, and other enterprise application development and management tools.
• Experience working with legacy data platforms and databases, including IMS, IDMS, Adabas, Natural, VSAM, hierarchical databases, and related technologies.
• Experience with 4GL and legacy application development environments, such as Natural, Ideal, EGL, PowerBuilder, or similar technologies.
• Experience with IBMi (AS/400 / iSeries) environments, including RPG, COBOL, CL, and application modernization initiatives.

Being You

The "Kyn" in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we're excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging - being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team - is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That's The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn't just a job-it's an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health-because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you'll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won't just contribute-you'll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We're here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you'll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You'll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities-from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you'll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

• We want you to thrive here-and we're committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what's next.
• Get Referred!
• If you know someone that works at Kyndryl, when asked 'How Did You Hear About Us' during the application process, select 'Employee Referral' and enter your contact's Kyndryl email address.

About the Company

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world's leading businesses. We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people-Kyndryls-that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.