Manager - US Mainframe Applications

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Manager, Mainframe Applications

Onsite – Pittsburgh, PA

About the Role

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Manager, Mainframe Applications to lead and support mission-critical mainframe systems that underpin key business operations. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of mainframe application support and delivery, including people leadership, operational stability, and project execution. The successful candidate will balance hands-on leadership with strategic thinking, ensuring existing systems remain reliable while supporting ongoing modernization efforts.

This position is onsite in Pittsburgh, PA and supports primarily U.S.-based business operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of mainframe application professionals, including full-time employees and contingent resources

• Oversee day-to-day support of production mainframe applications, ensuring high availability, performance, and timely issue resolution

• Manage and prioritize enhancement, maintenance, and project work, including direct management of select application projects

• Serve as a primary technology partner to business stakeholders, translating business needs into effective technical solutions

• Ensure effective development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance of mainframe applications

• Provide leadership and oversight for systems utilizing IDMS databases, VSAM files, and related mainframe technologies

• Support modernization initiatives, including system enhancements, technical debt reduction, and integration with distributed or cloud-based platforms

• Collaborate closely with architecture, infrastructure, security, QA, and other IT teams to ensure aligned delivery

• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, including performance oversight and deliverable management

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, security standards, and regulatory requirements

• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning for mainframe applications

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and accountability

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 8 years of relevant IT experience, or Advanced degree plus 6 years of experience

• Minimum of 3+ years in a people management or technical leadership role

• Significant experience working in mainframe application environments

• Strong working knowledge of IDMS databases, VSAM files, and mainframe application support

• Demonstrated ability to manage both operational support and project delivery concurrently

• Proven experience partnering with business stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives

• Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing hybrid teams with both employees and contractors

• Exposure to mainframe modernization or system transformation initiatives

• Familiarity with SDLC methodologies (Agile, waterfall, or hybrid)

• Experience working in regulated environments (e.g., GxP, FDA)

• Industry certifications such as ITIL, PMP, or Agile

• Experience with enterprise integration and modern IT architectures

• Travel may be required up to 25%