Mainframe Systems career : Paths, Opportunities & Earnings

In this globalised economy, companies have started depending on the insights which present a massive intricate set of data. A mainframe is critical to these databases, transaction servers or even applications that require high resiliency, security, agility, etc. Careers in mainframe have a great role in the world economy and students need to have a minimum of bachelor’s degree in engineering to take the next big step in this field. 

Why Choose Computer Mainframe 

Computer Mainframe is a critical sector which deals with the security and resiliency of the servers and databases. Companies spend substantial amount in maintaining the security of their IT systems and ensuring that it is safe from any attack and data theft. Therefore it is a rewarding career option.

• According to Gartner report, some of the large organisations have shown their mainframe footprint growing from 5- 15%. 
• The Gartner report also predicts that the mainframe’s installed capacity would increase 8% annually in the coming years. 

• According to ambitionbox.com, the average annual salary of a mainframe engineer in India is around INR 8 LPA.  
• The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), an American multinational technology corporation, reported a 61% rise in sale of its mainframes. 
• There are more than thousand job opportunities available for mainframe engineers

Top Careers in Computer Mainframe Engineering

omputer Engineering was voted as the most popular engineering discipline as it keeps growing and evolving with time. But one thing that has still maintained its repute with the changing technology is Computer Mainframe. In fact, Computer Mainframes are becoming vital than ever in this data driven world leading to expansion of opportunities for the candidates: 

Some of the major job roles related to mainframe engineering in computer are as follows:

• Systems Engineer- Systems Engineers develop and oversee all aspects of a complex system to solve a problem, i.e., designing and implementing systems tools, installing new hardware and software, performing system upgrades or troubleshooting issues with systems and networks, etc. 
• Mainframe Developer- A Mainframe Developer is responsible for designing, development and management of mainframe software. They are also responsible for program analysis, troubleshooting and development of custom features and functions for applications. 
• Information Security Engineer- Information Security Engineers are responsible for planning, designing, building and integrating tools and systems that are used to protect electronic information and devices. They install and configure security related hardware and software, conduct regular security audits as well as research and recommend new security measures.  
• Production Support Engineer- A Production Engineer is also known as a Manufacturing Engineer who utilises aspects of engineering and science to create safe and efficient methods to transform raw materials into a finished product. They provide technical expertise, diagnostics and problem resolutions as a part of their day- to- day responsibilities.  

• Network Engineer- The average annual salary of a network engineer in India is around INR 8 LPA with the ranges depending upon the experiences of the candidate. They may work as a network manager, network analyst, network technician, network solution architect and many others.  
• Mainframe Tester- Mainframe Testers, as the name suggests, tests software applications and services on mainframe systems and may earn between INR 1.6 LPA to INR 4.7 LPA. Mainframe testers ensure the performance, reliability and the quality of software application or service through verification and validation methods.  
• Analyst- As any analyst, Mainframe Analysts research, analyse and report on different trends. They may be required to perform industry research using publicly available data sources or purchase private data sources to provide research and analysis. The salary of a Mainframe Analyst ranges between INR 3 LPA to INR 13 LPA with an average annual salary of INR 6 LPA.  

Computer Mainframe Engineering scope in India 

The usage of mainframe is particularly high in industries that involve extensive transactions and rely mainly on data. Reports say that there are over ten thousand mainframe computers active worldwide which are primarily being used by banks and other financial services industries. Some of the industries that depend highly on mainframe systems and offer job opportunities to students are: 

• E- Commerce and E- Business- Mainframe engineers are highly sought after by the top investment banks and e- commerce companies as mainframes are considered fundamental to the running of their core operations. They are also described as ‘the back- office engines behind the world’s financial markets and much of global commerce’ thus proving to be a massive field for students. 
• Healthcare- Data plays a very important role in the healthcare industry and regulations for proper security of these data have let mainframe be eminent. These data are easy to manage through mainframe and to develop and maintain these technologies, skilled engineers are in high demand.   
• Military- Among the many career paths available in the military, mainframe engineering is an ideal option for those who wish to use their technical knowledge to facilitate military data. Information Security Analyst, Database Administrator, Network Architect, Mainframe Developer, etc. are some of the choices available for the candidates in this highly- rewarding field. 
• Academics and Research- Big data and mainframes go hand in hand. Many big companies rely on mainframes for the management and security of their data and therefore the field of academics and research is also highly dependent on mainframe technology. There is a large data of students and teachers, academic records, research papers, etc. which has to be kept updated and secured, hence many opportunities are present for mainframe engineers in this field. 
• Retail- Retail sector performs large scale dealing processes, or say, hundreds or thousands of transactions in a short period of time. For the processing of such large transactions as well as maintenance of these data they rely on the mainframe technology and therefore people can find jobs in the field of retail also after computer mainframe engineering.  

• IT Services- In today’s time, large IT companies are growing at a very fast pace to cater the void in the technology industries such as big data analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Industrial Internet of Things, Audience Intelligence, etc. All the above will require a 24*7, reliable and secure uptime guarantee and a high- volume transaction capable machine and the answer to all these is the expansion of mainframe. 

Average Salary Based on Computer Mainframe Job Positions

With the salary estimates ranging between INR 2.8 LPA to 11.6 LPA, the average annual salary of a mainframe computer engineer is around INR 8 LPA. Here is a list of a few job positions along with the estimated average annual salary: 

Job Position	Average Annual Salary
Systems Engineer	INR 4 LPA
Mainframe Developer	INR 7 LPA
Information Security Engineer	INR 7 LPA
Software Engineer	INR 9 LPA
Production Support Engineer	INR 9 LPA
Network Engineer	INR 8 LPA
EIS MQ Engineer	INR 6 LPA

Top Recruiters for Computer Mainframe Engineers

Mainframe is a legacy technology and therefore a lot of companies host their strategic applications on mainframe. Also, mainframe systems are highly affordable compared to other platforms. This also creates opportunities for students who study to develop or maintain the mainframe functioning. Some of the top private companies hiring computer mainframe engineers in India are: 

• Infosys 
• Concentrix 

• Cognizant Technology Solutions 
• Tata Consultancy services 
• IBM 
• Capegemini 
• Wipro 

• DXC Technology 
• Citi 
• State Farm 

A list of top government corporations hiring computer mainframe engineers in India are: 

• Center for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) 

• Steel Authority of India (SAIL) 
• Coal India Limited (CIL) 
• Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) 
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) 

Top Colleges for Computer Mainframe Placements

There are various factors that students consider before opting for a specific college. The choices could be based on location, cost, academics, housing facility and various others. One of the major factors affecting the choice of college for a student could also be the package offered after the completion of course. 

Here is a list of the top government colleges in India offering some of the highest CTCs in computer mainframe engineering:

Name of College	Highest CTC (2021- 22)	Average CTC (2021- 22)
National Institute of Technology Trichy, Tiruchirapalli	INR 42 LPA	INR 6 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela	INR 46.08 LPA	INR 9.36 LPA
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur	INR 45 LPA	INR 12 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Surathkal	INR 45 LPA	INR 20.95 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Warangal	INR 88 LPA	INR 19.9 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Calicut	INR 49.75 LPA	INR 11.58 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra	INR 43.75 LPA	INR 11.37 LPA
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad	INR 51.75 LPA	INR 19.08 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur	INR 44 LPA	INR 8.5 LPA
National Institute of Technology, Silchar	INR 44 LPA	INR 14.90 LPA

A list of the top private colleges in India offering some of the highest CTCs in computer mainframe engineering are:

Name of College	Highest CTC (2021- 22)	Average CTC (2021- 22)
Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar	INR 54.22 LPA	INR 16.06 LPA
The LNM Institute of Information Technology, Jaipur	INR 100.5 LPA	INR 14.34 LPA
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala	INR 40 LPA	INR 10.97 LPA
BIT Mesra, Ranchi	INR 49.76 LPA	INR 11.76 LPA
RV College of Engineering, Bangalore	INR 53.18 LPA	INR 8.63 LPA
People’s Education Society University, Bangalore	INR 49.75 LPA	INR 12.5 LPA
Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh	INR 64.5 LPA	INR 13.5 LPA
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai	INR 58 LPA	INR 13 LPA
Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, Mumbai	INR 42 LPA	INR 11 LPA
College of Engineering, Pune	INR 33.80 LPA	INR 6.5 LPA

 How to get a Job after Computer Mainframe Engineering 

The real struggle starts when you start looking for a job after the completion of your course. It requires more hustle than you did to get your degree. Hence, with the increasing competition, there are numerous things that an employee must do beforehand or after applying for the job. Below are the steps to that outline the best way of landing your dream job: 

• Create a catchy resume- You may have little or no professional experience to discuss within your resume but you can surely highlight the skills that you have learnt in these years. Showcase your qualifications and tailor your resume to every position because resumes are the best ways to promote yourself to an employer. 
• Network with your peers- When you are just starting your career, try to network at every available opportunity. Talk to your friends, family or mates that you are actively seeking a job and try to get help in every possible way. 

• Prepare for the interview- Always be clear about your choices and prepare for the interviews beforehand. Go through the job description, take notes of particular attributes or skills, research about the business, its history and mission and if possible, try to find out the interviewer and look up their networking sites. It will help you learn about their interests and wants and also make you feel confident. 
• Consider a job for the experience- Your first job may not be exactly what you wanted but it will surely help you gain valuable experiences which will prove helpful for your future. It may lead to advanced positions directly because of the skills you have developed in your past. 
• Develop relevant skills- In order to excel in this job- hunting race and even to maintain that pace of growth in your future endeavours, learning both technical skills as well as soft skills is equally important. Your technical skills should be related your field of expertise and your soft skills should complement your job nature. 

Indian Cities to get Lucrative Jobs after Computer Mainframe Engineering

Cities also play a crucial role in determining your growth, both personal as well as professional. Since mainframe engineers work with some of the top-notch technology and data related firms, the best spots could be found in the industrial areas of the country. 

Here is a list of some of the top Indian cities to get lucrative jobs after Computer Mainframe Engineering in India: 

Top Cities	Job Positions	Average CTC (2021- 22)
Bangalore	Systems Engineer, Software Engineer	INR 5- 9 LPA
Hyderabad	Mainframe Developer	INR 7 LPA
Pune	Engineer- Mainframe Developer, Production Support	INR 5- 8 LPA
Gurgaon	Network Engineer	INR 8 LPA
Noida	UC Engineer, EIS MQ Engineer	INR 5- 6 LPA

Life after Computer Mainframe Engineering

Mainframes are high performance computers that can handle billions of calculations and transactions in real time and therefore large companies keep investing in mainframes which makes it a booming sector till now. There were predictions that the mainframes era is over, but the extinction is far from over and even in the current era of AI, the mainframe is still enough to be used, making it a suitable choice of field for the students interested in big data and transactions. Mainframe engineers are highly sought after by investment banks, healthcare sectors and government organisations. A mainframe developer has similar responsibility and roles as a software developer, the only difference being that they have to work within the mainframe system. The experts in this field are diminishing and therefore it has created an increasing demand for engineers in this field. Mainframe engineers can work in a wide range of industries with some of the highest salary packages anywhere around the world which makes it a perfect choice for candidates who wish to have an extremely valued career.

Following are the most popular Mainframe Systems Colleges in India. Learn more about these Mainframe Systems colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the top exams for Mainframe Systems. Students interested in pursuing a career on Mainframe Systems, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.