---
title: 'Senior Manager, Mainframe Solution Architecture - Chicago or East Coast preferred at Ensono'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-mainframe-solution-architecture-chicago-or-east-coast-preferred-zeza7p5r5a13'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Senior Manager, Mainframe Solution Architecture - Chicago or East Coast preferred at Ensono

- **Company:** Ensono
- **Location:** United States
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-08-14
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://ensono.com/company/careers/jobs-board/?gh_jid=4722614005

## Job description

Senior Manager, Solution Architecture

At Ensono, our Purpose is to be a relentless ally, disrupting the status quo and unleashing our clients to Do Great Things!  We enable our clients to achieve key business outcomes that reshape how our world runs. As an expert technology adviser and managed service provider with cross-platform certifications, Ensono empowers our clients to keep up with continuous change and embrace innovation.

We can Do Great Things because we have great Associates. The Ensono Core Values unify our diverse talents and are woven into how we do business. These five traits are the key to achieving our purpose:

Honesty, Reliability, Curiosity, Collaboration, and Passion.

About the role and what you'll be doing:

As a Senior Manager, Solution Architecture, you will lead complex mainframe solution design and delivery initiatives for existing Ensono customers and new logo opportunities. You will drive strategic solution architecture for large-scale mainframe modernization, hybrid integration, and mission-critical platform enhancements, ensuring alignment with both client business objectives and Ensono's technology vision.

## KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Solution Architecture & Design Leadership

- Design and oversee cross-solution impact assessments for mainframe solutions and enhancements, with emphasis on enterprise architecture, system integration, and business requirements alignment
- Ensure overall solution integrity on large, complex mainframe environments (CICS, IMS, DB2, z/OS, and hybrid cloud connectivity scenarios)
- Provide technical direction to other Solution Architects on mainframe technology choices, best practices, and design patterns
- Accountable for accuracy, quality, integrity, and stewardship of client mainframe solution architecture

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management

- Engage proactively with client stakeholders using a consultative approach; anticipate obstacles and recommend mainframe-specific solution options
- Gather technical and business requirements; transform stakeholder input into logical process flows and data flows for mainframe applications
- Maintain focus on client value and satisfaction while balancing Ensono corporate objectives, feasibility, and scalability of mainframe solutions
- Communicate technical concepts at appropriate granularity levels to both IT and business leaders

Mainframe Solution Roadmap & Delivery

- Maintain and enhance the roadmap for client mainframe solutions, incorporating technical changes, emerging mainframe technologies, and Ensono standard components
- Define, scope, and estimate mainframe projects; lead scoping and estimation efforts for new business and account expansions
- Monitor solution enhancement and implementation progress against SLAs; identify and mitigate risks proactively
- Ensure mainframe solution designs fulfill functional, technical, and regulatory requirements; verify consistency with service-level agreements

Subject Matter Expertise & Continuous Learning

- Maintain deep expertise in Ensono mainframe products, services, and industry technologies (COBOL, JCL, DB2, RACF, z/OS, mainframe modernization platforms)
- Document and share best practices, case studies, and lessons learned related to mainframe architecture and delivery
- Keep informed of mainframe industry trends, competitor offerings, and emerging technologies (cloud-to-mainframe connectivity, AI/ML on mainframe, hybrid platforms)
- Develop internal relationships with Ensono product teams to provide feedback on mainframe product enhancements

Standards, Processes & Process Improvement

- Define and adhere to Ensono solution standards, methodologies, processes, and policies; promote consistency across teams
- Familiar with Ensono's Delivery Methodology, project management, and development methodologies
- Identify areas of process improvement that drive profitability and client value
- Instill a culture of continuous improvement and best-practice adoption within designated teams

Thought Leadership & Team Development

- Consult, advise, and educate management, technical teams, and clients on mainframe architecture and emerging solutions
- Mentor and develop less experienced Solution Architects in mainframe domain expertise
- Share lessons learned and best practices with internal teams and clients; incorporate feedback into standards and estimates
- Lead by example in demonstrating technical excellence and client-focused problem solving

We want all new Associates to succeed in their roles at Ensono. That's why we've outlined the job requirements below. To be considered for this role, it's important that you meet all Required Qualifications. If you do not meet all of the Preferred Qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.

What You Will Need:

- Minimum 6 years of experience in technical roles; minimum 3 years in architect or senior technical leadership roles
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with mainframe platforms (z/OS, CICS, IMS, DB2, or equivalent mainframe technology)
- Minimum 5 years of experience in an external client-facing environment, including managing complex stakeholder relationships
- Minimum 5 years of experience with change management procedures and enterprise solution governance
- Minimum 6 years of Ensono experience, OR equivalent experience with mainframe managed service providers or systems integrators
- Demonstrated expertise in mainframe modernization, cloud-to-mainframe integration, or hybrid mainframe architectures
- Strong knowledge of Ensono Delivery Methodology, Solution Center Framework, and Ensono's mainframe service offerings
- Ability to lead scoping, estimation, and pre-sales activities; proficiency with Ensono estimation tools and methodologies

Bonus Qualifications

- Experience with mainframe security (RACF, ACF2, TSS) and compliance (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX)
- Knowledge of mainframe DevOps, container technologies, or API-first architecture for legacy systems
- Certifications in mainframe technologies or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Experience leading mainframe migrations or platform consolidations

Why Ensono?

Ensono is a place to make better happen – for our clients and for your career. You can do great things through innovation or collaboration, by learning or volunteering, or to promote diversity and inclusion. You can do great things for your own health or for a healthier planet. Whatever it means to you to do great things we want Ensono to be the place you can do it.

We are a client-facing business, but we do encourage clients to allow us to work remotely most of the time so if you are not required to be on a client site, you can choose to work from home or in our Ensono offices.

Some of our benefits include:

- Unlimited Paid Days Off
- Three health plan options
- 401k with company match
- Eligibility for dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life and AD&D coverage, and flexible spending accounts
- Family Forming Benefit including fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy reimbursement
- Paid childbearing and paternal leave
- Education Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance or 529 College Funding
- Sabbatical leave
- Wellness program
- Flexible work schedule

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this role is $155,000 to $210,000 annually based on a full-time schedule. Please note that placement in the range may vary based on numerous factors including but not limited to skills, experience, internal equity, and business needs. In addition to base salary, other compensation programs, depending on eligibility, include a role-based, sales-incentive plan, and an equity grant under our Associate Equity Appreciation Program.

Ensono is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment to our Associates and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

Pay transparency nondiscrimination statement/posting OFCCP’s pay transparency policy can be found on [OFCCP’s website](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf).

If you need accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know or email USTalentAcquisition@ensono.com.

## About Ensono

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Ensono is a managed IT services provider specializing in mainframe modernization, hybrid cloud migration and management, and AI enablement for Fortune 500 enterprises.
- **Entity Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: Downers Grove, Illinois, USA
- **Founded**: 2015 (spun off from a larger entity; celebrated 10 years in 2025)
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (formed as a spin-off/private equity-backed entity)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: IT Services & Consulting, Managed Cloud Services, Mainframe Modernization
- **Target customers**: B2B Enterprise; specifically Fortune 500 companies in highly regulated sectors including Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Public Sector, Retail, and Manufacturing
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "To be a relentless ally, disrupting the status quo, enabling our clients to do great things" [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/company/about-us/)

## Products & Services
- **Mainframe Modernization**: Services to modernize legacy mainframe environments, including migration to cloud (Azure, AWS) and modernization of workloads.
- **Cloud Migration + Managed Cloud**: Consulting and managed services for migrating to and operating within hybrid cloud environments (AWS, Microsoft Azure).
- **Data + AI**: Predictive analytics and AI/ML services to turn data into business outcomes.
- **Managed IT Services**: Ongoing infrastructure management, security, and operations for enterprise IT environments.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric (Total Funding/Revenue)**: Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The company is backed by private equity (Kohlberg & Company is a known investor).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Kohlberg & Company (private equity); AWS (Premier Managed Service, Consulting, and Mainframe Modernization Partner); Microsoft Azure (2020 Azure Partner of the Year); IBM (multiple Challenge Coin awards); Kong (award-winning partnership with Pay.UK) [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/)
- **Growth Signals**: Named a "Top 15 managed services growth company"; celebrated 10 years of progress in January 2026; appointed Alisdair Wright as Managing Director of Europe in January 2026; won a Kong Innovation Award for a fraud prevention platform with Pay.UK in December 2025 [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/insights-and-news/newsroom-and-press/ensono-celebrates-10-years-of-progress-transforming-the-future-of-modern-services/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Mainframe expertise**: Recognized as an ISG leader in Mainframe-as-a-Service, Mainframe Modernization, and Mainframe Operations — a rare and deep specialization.
- **Hyperscaler partnerships**: Premier partner status with both AWS and Microsoft Azure, offering multi-cloud flexibility.
- **"Relentless ally" model**: Positions itself as a transparent, flexible partner rather than a vendor, with a focus on long-term client relationships.
- **Highly regulated industry focus**: Deep expertise in compliance-heavy sectors (finance, insurance, healthcare, government) which creates high switching costs.
- **Associate Equity Program**: All associates are offered equity through the Associate Equity Appreciation Program (AEAP), aligning employee and company success [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/company/careers/).

## Strategic Focus
- **Hybrid cloud & mainframe modernization**: Helping clients bridge legacy systems with modern cloud architectures.
- **AI enablement**: Turning data into actionable insights via AI/ML, a key growth vector.
- **European expansion**: Recent appointment of a Managing Director for Europe signals geographic growth.
- **Talent development**: Investing in the "Ensono Academies" to develop next-gen tech leaders and the "Fellows Program" to retain expert technologists in non-managerial executive roles.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: High employee engagement (92% overall engagement in a Gallup survey with 91% participation rate). Core values: Honesty, Reliability, Curiosity, Collaboration, Passion [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/company/culture/).
- **Work model**: "Global-first organization" with physical offices in Europe, India, and the United States, plus remote workforce concentrations. Remote, hybrid, and office-based roles available globally.
- **Perks**: Health and benefits from day one; paid volunteer days; Associate Equity Appreciation Program (AEAP); Ensono University for continuous learning; recognition and award programs.
- **Engineering culture**: Focus on innovation without requiring management responsibilities through the "Fellows Program" (Technical Fellow Career Path). IBM Champions are recognized and celebrated within the company.
- **DEI & Community**: Associate Community Groups (Culture Clubs), Ensono Women Connected initiative, global charity programs, and sustainability commitments.
- **Growth**: Strong emphasis on internal mobility and career development via "Ensono Academies" and ongoing learning.

## Sources
1. [ensono.com](https://www.ensono.com/)
2. [ensono.com - About Us](https://www.ensono.com/company/about-us/)
3. [ensono.com - Careers & Culture](https://www.ensono.com/company/careers/)
4. [ensono.com - Company Culture](https://www.ensono.com/company/culture/)
5. [ensono.com - Jobs Board](https://www.ensono.com/company/careers/jobs-board/)
6. [ensono.com - Newsroom (10 Year Anniversary)](https://www.ensono.com/insights-and-news/newsroom-and-press/ensono-celebrates-10-years-of-progress-transforming-the-future-of-modern-services/)
7. [ensono.com - Newsroom (Kong Innovation Award)](https://www.ensono.com/insights-and-news/newsroom-and-press/ensono-wins-kong-innovation-award-for-fraud-prevention-platform-with-pay-uk/)
8. [ensono.com - Newsroom (Europe MD Appointment)](https://www.ensono.com/insights-and-news/newsroom-and-press/ensono-appoints-alisdair-wright-as-managing-director-of-europe/)

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