JCL Experts in Germany
in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.Hire experts who write and review Job Control Language, run z/OS batch jobs, and keep mainframe schedules stable across COBOL, DB2, and VSAM flows. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used JCL
Robert Karash
Last position:
Interim Manager | Group Leader in the IT Operations & Digitalization Division "Databases, Operations & Support" (DOS) at Landwirtschaftliche RentenBank
- Technical leadership and further development of a team of 28 IT staff (internal & external) in the areas HelpDesk/HelpLine, RHEL (Red Hat), MUREX (trading system & applications), SAP basis operations
- Managing external service providers (including FI-TS for SAP basis operations)
- Personnel, resource and budget planning for the IT department and projects
- Introducing and establishing regular communication formats (weekly status meetings, team and cross-department meetings)
- Ensuring application operations in a hybrid environment (Windows/Linux with database and web/application servers)
- Supporting transformation projects to modernize the application landscape (e.g. DevOps approaches)
- Setting up and implementing a digital IT procurement for hardware & software (e.g. with DELL)
- Developing and managing the "IT Operations DOS" department based on corporate strategy
- Preparing management reports & decision papers on IT projects, optimization potential and automation opportunities
- Representing the department in the advisory boards of the Rentenbank and ensuring regulatory compliance (BaFin §44, GDPR, BSI, MaRisk)
Ibrahim Bayramov
Last position:
Senior Mainframe Developer at Tata Consultancy Services Deutschland GmbH
- Development and maintenance of business-critical COBOL applications in the IBM z/OS mainframe environment
- Carrying out database changes and updates on DB2 for z/OS
- Handling incident, problem, and change management in a production-critical environment using ServiceNow
- Carrying out and supporting load tests, performance tests, and pre-production tests to stabilize business-critical mainframe systems
- Using mainframe tools such as ISPF, TSO, SDSF, XINFO, as well as job control via UC4 / Automic
- Development and integration of Java-based services and API-related components
- Working in agile project teams (Scrum/Kanban), including using Jira and Confluence for backlog, change, and documentation management
Alex Volnov
Last position:
CTO, Co-Founder, Cryptography(incl. Post-Quantum Cryptography) and AI Security Expertise at AISLEIPNIR
- Integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms into high level protocols.
- Security of implementations of Post-Quantum Cryptography algorithms.
- Transition to Post-Quantum public key infrastructures.
- Security evaluations of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) primitives.
- Drone Cybersecurity
- Satellite Cybersecurity
- AI Security
Ulm Paunel
Last position:
DataStage ETL Expert at ING Bank
- Datastage 11.7, dbt, Oracle 19, Python 3.12 / PySpark 3.5, Azure GitHub, Azure DevOps, Automic
- Development of migration jobs to transfer data from the collection DWH to the new Risk Mart, as well as development of ETL pipelines to migrate historical data from the old Mart to the new Risk Mart.
- Storage of the silver layer on Hadoop and the gold layer in Oracle.
- Translation of DataStage jobs into dbt to publish reporting data in Google Cloud to a PostgreSQL database.
- Creation and optimization of complex SQL queries for data extraction from a data vault, taking into account historical data in the point-in-time tables.
- Creation of Oracle table definitions (DDL) and adjustment of existing stored procedures.
- Versioning changes in GitHub and deployment via the CI/CD portal.
- Refactoring long-running DataStage jobs into Python using PySpark to reduce server load.
- Migration of SAS scripts to PL/SQL, including new development of distribution functions that have no direct equivalent in Oracle.
- Development of Automic jobs to run DataStage pipelines and Python scripts (PySpark jobs) that control the population of the SME and institutional risk tables in the Risk Mart and perform business calculations.
- Participation in the agile process, including creating user stories, estimations, and planning in Azure DevOps.
- Handling Azure DevOps tickets and close collaboration with testers and business teams for error analysis and resolution.
Hans-Dieter Große-Kreul
Last position:
Training as an AI Expert
I continuously expand my expertise in AI and automation, working with ChatGPT, OpenAI, Manus, Gemini, MS CoPilot, API, LangChain, Hugging Face, Manus, TensorFlow and Auto-GPT as well as Python-based ML frameworks and MLOps tools to intelligently transform classic software development, analysis, and testing processes.
Hartmut Ullrich
Last position:
Freelancer at Freelancer
Projects at Raiffeisen Software Group (RSG), Linz from 2022-01-01 to 2025-03-31: application development on mainframe with PL/1, DB2, JCL, Tabex; development environment with idz, Jira, Dimensions, Confluence; execution of projects in banking reporting (own funds, capital requirements, large exposures, leverage ratio)
Project at Airbus, Hamburg from 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31: mainframe system enhancements (TAKSY) in agile environment (Scrum, SAFe); business analysis; technical design; implementation (PL/1, DB2, IMS, JCL); test management; deployment
Thorsten Otremba
Last position:
Workstream Lead (WS) at Bank-Verlag GmbH
- Introduction of giro card with Visa Debit card payment function (Combocard) for Commerzbank
- Support for the Card Processing Team (card processing; Clearing & Settlement incl. Dispute Management teams) in project work
- Creation of requirements for the Clearing & Settlement team, Authorization team (AZ) and Card Production team (KP) as part of a requirements catalog
- Requirements engineering (requirements management) with business contact person
- Participation in workstream meetings between VISA Inc., SRC Security Research & Consulting GmbH, Commerzbank AG and consulting firms (PwC and Senacor Technologies AG)
- Sprint planning with Jira tickets of type Task and use of Confluence
- Creation and presentation of weekly status reports for the Clearing & Settlement, Dispute Management and Reporting & GUI workstreams
- Coordination with network and file transfer teams for connection tests of new interfaces, e.g. setup of host keys, use of VPN or sipnet connections
- Coordination of the delivery of test files, e.g. exchange rates (FX rates; TC 56 of VISA rates), VISA Debit and Credit transactions (format Base II) and EANSS/ISS Base II clearing files to the Debit Clearing System (DCS)
- Conducting coordination meetings on the use of Visanet Settlement Service (VSS) and PSD2 reports and payment traffic statistics (ZVS)
- Organizing workshops with FiServ (First Data) on Dispute Management and complaint handling
- Setup and maintenance of Open Point List (OPL) in Confluence
- Technologies/methods: Jira, Confluence, giro card, VISA Debit card, payments, Kanban board, BIN, routing, CIQ, VPAY, ScalaTest, Dispute Management
Martin Schaefer
Last position:
MS Fabric Certification
MS Fabric certification with creation of pipelines and notebooks in Fabric using data from Azure, Azure Repos, Azure Boards, and GitHub. Data ingestion via OneLake Explorer, direct IP connection, and API (REST) are the main topics
Christian Wegener
Last position:
Functional Senior Tester and Test Manager at Christian Wegener Beratung
Creation and review of test conditions
Execution of functional tests
Defect management
Supplier management
Team coordination
Estimation of test effort and reporting
Test planning
Ongoing and new development of integrated scheduling systems
Java web client / Linux server, Oracle Instant Client / Oracle Database Appliance server, Unix, ESB – Enterprise Service Bus, SQL, TIBCO EMS – Enterprise Message Service / JMS, REST, Impero Guest
HP ALM / Micro Focus Quality Center, Citrix, JIRA, XRAY, Impero Guest, MobaXTerm, Confluence, SharePoint, MS Teams, MS Office
Jürgen Schoemaker
Last position:
IT Consultant / Analyst / Developer / Tester / Support at Automotive Manufacturer
- Analysis, software development/customization, and testing of various transaction and batch objects
- Conducting functional integration and regression tests on TEST and QA platforms under z/OS for later production implementation
- Hardware / Software / Tools: IBM MVS, z/OS, JES2/3, TSO-ISPF, JCL, DB2, SQL, SQL/PL, QMF, QMF for Workstations, SPUFI, FileAid, IMS-DB/DC, MFS, XPEDITER, COBOL, REXX, Windows 10, MS Office 365, MS Teams, batch job management via OPC, BETA92, RVS, BVB, ABL, DIALOGplus, PROBA, PRODPR (VW internal systems), JIRA, CONFLUENCE
Thomas Jahn
Last position:
Test Manager at Hamburger Energienetze GmbH
- Method: none
- Environment: ERP, S4/Hana, Confluence, Jira, Xray, SAP Solution Manager, Tosca
- Created the test concept for the migration from ERP to S/4HANA
- Created manual test cases and test plans for the acceptance test
- Coordinated tests between the business testers
- Test automation with Tosca
- manual testing
Peter Ruppert
Last position:
System support / further development at Allianz
- Software management
- Release management, automated release deployment
- Handover of PL1 modules to Linux for MF-Pl1 compiler
- Maintenance of XINFO, Lexicon, DB design, migration
Abdullah Abdullah
Last position:
Technical Program Manager - IT & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Maxon Computer GmbH (a Nemetschek Company)
Led cross-functional compliance and IT programs spanning infrastructure, security, legal, and executive stakeholders, ensuring audit readiness and regulatory alignment.
Acted as single point of ownership for IT governance and CSR programs, defining scope, milestones, risks, and success metrics.
Partnered directly with VP of IT as a governance and control counterpart, supporting security incidents, compliance posture (ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 2), and executive reporting.
Supported organizational readiness for emerging EU regulations, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and EU AI Act, by analyzing regulatory requirements, identifying governance and compliance impacts, and aligning internal policies and control processes.
Designed and scaled data collection and reporting processes for CSR and regulatory reporting across group and subsidiary level.
Drove process improvements and standardization, increasing transparency, predictability, and audit readiness.
Technologies and tools: Office 365 Power BI, MS SharePoint, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Teams, Zendesk, Confluence, JIRA, Vanta.
Axel Telthörster
Last position:
Migration of Host Programs to Decentralized Processing (Cobol to Java) at Freelancer
- Analysis of calculations in the legacy system (Cobol), reconciliation with specification and checking differences in the new system
- Managing change requests with Jira
- Basis for compare reconciliation: XML formats for further processing in Dopix (business: VS certificate, customer info, contribution statements)
- Automated XML comparisons via TWS jobs in various test systems
- Reviewing and documenting related utility programs and interface calls
- Reviewing legacy programs in terms of content, technology, and business logic
- Creating and extending JCLs for regression tests host <> decentralized
- Analyzing error cases and comparing with specifications for correctness
- Creating Jira tickets as requests or bug fixes for the Java programs
Technical environment:
- COBOL
- TSO/ISPF
- DB2/SQL (Spufi, QE2)
- IMS-DB/DC application development
- JCL, TWS (Tivoli), EJM Beta48 (AIX)
- Changeman (Extended Release Option)
- Citrix environment
- MS Office
- Ticket management with Jira
- Agile development
Benedikt Tebbe
Last position:
Actuarial Analyst at Standard Life
- creating realization concepts based on given technical business plans and actuarial requirements
- testing changes made to the policy administration system
- performing actuarial individual case calculations
- carrying out portfolio and system corrections
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using JCL
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
35 years
Position duration
2.5 years
Positions per freelancer
19
Top business areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence
Top industries
Banking and Finance, Information Technology, Insurance
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence
Bachelor's degree or higher
57%
Master's degree or higher
43%
Doctorate
14%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
87%
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates of experts in Germany using JCL
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the technology
What JCL does
Job Control Language, or JCL, controls work on IBM mainframes. It tells z/OS what programs to run, which data sets to use, and how to step through batch processing. Companies rely on it for payroll, billing, reporting, and other scheduled work that must finish cleanly.
Core tasks
- Define batch jobs and execution steps
- Pass data sets, sort rules, and return codes
- Handle job streams for COBOL, DB2, CICS-related batch, and utilities
- Manage restart logic, dependencies, and output handling
Tooling and environment
Strong specialists work across JCL, SDSF, ISPF, JES2 or JES3, and the wider z/OS toolchain. They read spool output, trace abends, and tune job flow with utilities such as SORT, IDCAMS, IEBGENER, and FTP scripts where needed. They also know how JCL fits into scheduler-driven operations.
When companies bring help
Freelance expertise is useful when a team must stabilize old job streams, document inherited scripts, or move batch work into a cleaner operating model. It also helps during releases, incident fixes, and MVS to z/OS transitions where small JCL mistakes can stop critical processing. In Germany, this often matters in large enterprises with long-lived mainframe estates and mixed on-site or remote teams.
What strong experts do
- Spot syntax errors and step-level issues quickly
- Read return codes and spool logs with confidence
- Improve readability without changing business behavior
- Coordinate with COBOL, DB2, storage, and operations teams
Good fit for the project
A strong JCL professional writes clear job cards, understands dataset allocation, and keeps attention on restartability and operational control. Experience with z/OS batch, automation, and mainframe naming standards matters more than flashy tools. The best specialists leave behind jobs that operations can trust and support.
Frequently asked questions
Not sure where to start with JCL? These answers cover the essentials.
JCL is used to tell IBM mainframes how to run batch work under z/OS. It defines the program steps, the input and output data sets, and the conditions for success or failure. Teams use it for recurring processing such as billing, reporting, file movement, and utility runs.
Job Control Language is the full name, and IBM JCL or z/OS JCL are common ways people refer to the same thing. In practice, the term usually means the job streams that run on IBM mainframes. If a project talks about MVS JCL, it is usually referring to the older naming on the same mainframe line.
Ask whether the specialist has worked on your exact batch environment, such as JES2, utilities, and scheduler handoffs. A strong JCL professional should also explain how they handle return codes, restart points, and data set allocation. If your estate is large, ask for experience reading inherited job streams rather than only writing new ones.
Good JCL specialists usually know z/OS basics, batch operations, and how COBOL, DB2, VSAM, and system utilities fit together. They should also be able to read spool output, trace abends, and work with storage or operations teams. Clear documentation skills matter too, because many problems start with unclear job definitions.
JCL is not a general-purpose scripting language. It is built for IBM mainframe batch control, so it works differently from shell scripts, Python automation, or cloud workflow engines. Companies keep using it where reliability, queue control, and tight z/OS integration matter more than newer tooling.
It depends on the job, but JCL work often needs someone who has seen real batch failures, not just textbook examples. Small fixes can be handled by a focused specialist, while job stream redesign or migration work needs deeper mainframe operations knowledge. If the batch chain touches production finance or customer data, choose someone who can work carefully under change control.
Yes, many JCL specialists work remotely with teams in Germany, especially for analysis, documentation, and controlled changes. On-site collaboration can help when access, operations procedures, or legacy environments are strict. In either case, make sure the specialist is comfortable with German team routines, release windows, and mainframe support processes.
Look for clear explanations of why a job step exists, not just whether it runs. A strong JCL expert writes readable job streams, understands dependencies, and can trace failures from return code to root cause. Good signs are careful comments, clean restart logic, and changes that improve supportability without changing business output.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects is 93 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 742 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects, 57% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 43% hold at least a Master's degree, and 14% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects have 35 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.5 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects are German (100%), English (87%), and French (17%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects are Banking and Finance (87%), Information Technology (83%), and Insurance (73%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used JCL in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Quality Assurance (87%), and Business Intelligence (63%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used JCL
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
