VENKATA NARENDRABABU ELCHURI
Summary
Experienced Mainframe DevOps Engineer and Mainframe Modernization Specialist with over 15 years in enterprise application development and CI/CD modernization. Skilled in IBM Developer for z/OS, GitLab CI/CD, UrbanCode Deploy, Java, and Mainframe technologies such as COBOL and DB2. Led modernization initiatives, automated deployment pipelines, and integrated legacy systems with modern APIs to enhance development efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Software Engineer I
USAA
02.2022 - Current
- Developed and maintained enterprise source code management (SCM) tool for mainframe environments, enabling 500+ developers to efficiently manage source code versioning and deployment workflows
- Architected change management system for mainframe application lifecycle, implementing approval workflows, audit trails, and compliance tracking for production deployments
- Engineered custom SPF panels and REXX utilities to provide intuitive user interfaces for source code checkout, version control, and deployment automation
- Designed and implemented COBOL, PL/I, JCL, and REXX-based utilities for automated source code migration, validation, and deployment across development, test, and production environments
- Created SPF table-driven configuration frameworks to manage environment-specific parameters and deployment rules, which reduced configuration errors by 40%, enhancing deployment reliability.
- Developed z/OS Connect REST API services to expose mainframe business logic and data to modern applications, enabling seamless integration with cloud-native platforms
- Built CI/CD pipelines integrating z/OS Connect services with GitLab and UrbanCode Deploy (UCD), automating API deployment and version management
- Implemented RESTful service interfaces using z/OS Connect, enabling real-time data exchange between mainframe COBOL/PL/I programs and web/mobile applications, improving integration efficiency.
- Led enterprise-wide CI/CD migration from legacy z Configuration Manager (zCM) to GitLab and Urban Code Deploy, modernizing build and deployment processes for 200+ mainframe applications
- Designed and implemented GitLab CI/CD pipelines for mainframe source code, integrating automated compilation, dependency resolution, and deployment orchestration
- Automated mainframe build processes using GitLab runners and UCD agents, reducing deployment time from hours to minutes and eliminating manual intervention
- Migrated legacy change management workflows to GitLab-based merge requests and approval gates, improving code review processes and deployment governance
- Developed integration scripts using REXX, JCL, and shell to connect GitLab repositories with z/OS file systems, streamlining version control and deployment processes.
- Implemented IBM Dependency-Based Build (DBB) framework for intelligent, incremental mainframe builds, reducing compile times by 60% through impact analysis
- Created DBB Groovy build scripts for COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, and JCL programs, implementing smart dependency tracking and parallel compilation
- Integrated DBB with GitLab CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated impact analysis, incremental builds, and artifact management for mainframe applications
- Developed DBB build property files and configuration repositories, standardizing build processes across multiple mainframe application portfolios
- Established automated testing frameworks within CI/CD pipelines, integrating unit tests and deployment verification for mainframe components
- Optimized JCL procedures and PROC libraries for automated deployment, implementing parameterized templates and error handling mechanisms
- Developed custom Eclipse-based plugins for IBM Developer for z/OS (IDz) using Java, Eclipse RCP framework, and OSGi bundles to extend IDE capabilities for mainframe development workflows
- Engineered Java-based compilation and link-edit utilities integrating with IDz workbench, enabling developers to compile COBOL, PL/I, and Assembler programs directly from the IDE with real-time feedback
- Built custom diff and merge tools using Java Swing/SWT to provide visual comparison of mainframe source code, copybooks, and JCL with syntax highlighting and conflict resolution capabilities
- Developed RESTful web services using Spring Boot and JAX-RS to expose SCM tool operations, enabling integration with IDz, GitLab webhooks, and third-party DevOps platforms
- Created Java-based GitLab plugins and extensions using GitLab4J API to automate mainframe-specific workflows including impact analysis, dependency scanning, and automated code review checks
- Implemented UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) custom plugins using Java and Groovy for mainframe-specific deployment operations including dataset management, CICS/IMS deployment, and DB2 bind processes
- Built Java-based parsing engines to analyze COBOL, PL/I, and JCL source code for dependency extraction, dead code detection, and code quality metrics
- Implemented Java-based code generators to automate creation of COBOL copybooks, PL/I includes, JCL templates, and DBB build scripts based on metadata definitions
- Engineered custom Eclipse perspectives and views using Java SWT/JFace to provide unified dashboard for viewing build status, deployment pipelines, and SCM operations within IDz
- Developed Java-based test automation frameworks using JUnit, TestNG, and Selenium for automated testing of IDz plugins, web services, and CI/CD pipeline components
- Implemented Java message queue integrations using IBM MQ and Apache Kafka for event-driven automation of build triggers, deployment notifications, and system alerts
- Created Java-based configuration management utilities for managing environment-specific properties, connection parameters, and deployment configurations across multiple platforms
- Built custom Maven/Gradle plugins for mainframe artifact management, enabling standardized versioning, packaging, and publishing of compiled load modules to artifact repositories
- Developed Java-based reporting engines using Apache POI and Jasper Reports to generate automated deployment reports, audit trail documentation, and compliance reports
- Implemented authentication and authorization modules using Spring Security and LDAP integration for securing custom tools, web services, and API endpoints
Advanced Programmer Analyst
KFORCE INC
10.2015 - 02.2022
- Analyzing user requirements and defining functional specifications using Agile methodologies
- Analyzed existing Mainframe applications to create technical analysis for enhanced system understanding
- Developed detailed application system models to visualize architecture and functionality.
- Designed software systems and applications using Java and Oracle technologies to meet project specifications
- Created JavaScript and Unix scripts to automate processes and improve efficiency.
- Developing J2EE Design Patterns.
- Developed application system models to streamline design processes
- Developing UML class diagrams and sequence diagrams.
- Developing and implementing test validations of the applications;
- Analyzing test results and recommending modifications to the applications to meet project specifications
- Conducting root cause analysis of issues
- Maintaining version control using Git and CVS.
- Participating in the deployment of the applications into existing system
- Creating system documentation and playbooks;
- Generated comprehensive system documentation and playbooks for user guidance.
- Documented modifications and enhancements made to the applications and systems.
Software Developer
IDEA HELIX INC
02.2015 - 10.2015
- Design, develop and test new web application and platforms.
- Maintain and enhance existing web applications
- Work with other team members during design, implementation and deployment process.
- Work in a fast-paced, agile development environment.
- Consult with customers about software system design and maintenance.
- Document software code and test process.
- Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functioning to ensure specifications are met.
- Use technologies: JAVA, Oracle, UNIX servers, CVS and SVN versioning systems. Ant Build scripts, SOAP Web-Services and Maintain/legacy systems.
Program Analyst
HCL AMERICA
12.2013 - 02.2015
- Enhance and develop the IBM Rational Developer for System z tool to make mainframe development more efficient.
- Provide new capabilities for RDZ to make main frame development more efficient.
- Coordinated with onsite team to gather requirements and understand processes for effective project execution.
- Analyze the business requirements and prepare application design that includes technical. Flow, impact list, logical design, etc.
- Code the business logic to meet the customer requirement.
- Review the design documents and codes done by other offshore team members.
- Develop test plan and perform testing to ensure defect free deliverables.
- Gained proficiency in product design and development of mainframe tools, Java tools, and IBM Rational tools including RTC, HATS, RDZ.
- Assist team members to understand the projects and processes.
- Trained offshore, nearshore and onsite developers in the use of RDz
- Created RDZ training material for Host Boot Camp
- Supported students and instructors during Host Boot Camp and Back-to-School for RDz related curriculum
- Provided expertise in specific software tools and methodologies.
- Developed RDz base software to enhance mainframe development capabilities.
- Utilized RDz Debugger for identifying and resolving code issues.
- Conducted static code analysis using RDz to ensure code quality.
- Implemented IBM HATS for enhanced web integration in applications.
- Executed RDz Push-to-Client for efficient deployment of applications.
- Leveraged RDz CARMA for effective resource management in projects.
- Analyzed RDz usage metrics to assess tool effectiveness.
Software Engineer
HCL Technologies
05.2010 - 12.2013
- The project enables the business to view and maintain 403B (retirement plan) transaction history for a specific remitter, retirement account, etc.
- Coordinated with onsite team to gather requirements and clarify processes.
- Analyze the business requirement and prepare application design that includes technical. Flow, impact list, logical design, etc.
- Code the business logic to meet the customer requirement.
- Prepared test cases, test scripts, test scenarios, and data guidelines to ensure comprehensive testing coverage.
- Execution of Test cases, Test Scripts and Test Scenarios.
- Develop test plan and perform testing to ensure defect free deliverables.
- Supported system testing and resolved issues raised by testing team to facilitate smooth deployment.
- Developed and maintained COBOL/CICS applications for retirement and brokerage reporting systems.
- Worked on IRS compliance and contribution tracking enhancements.
- Participated in design, testing, production support, and defect resolution activities.
Education
Master of Computer Applications -
CVR Engineering College
HyderabadSkills
- Java Development
- Spring Framework
- Microservices Architecture
- REST APIs
- GraphQL APIs
- Hibernate
- JSON/XML
- JAX-RS
- Databases
- SQL Optimization
- Database tuning
- Continuous Integration
- GitLab CI/CD
- Jenkins
- Maven
- Gradle
- Git
- Artifactory
- Automated Testing
- Tools & Automation
- Modern IDE Tools
- Shell Scripting
- PowerShell
- PowerShell
- Apache Kafka
- Message Queuing
- OAuth 20
- OpenAPI/Swagger
- Agile Methodologies
- SDLC
- Test-Driven Development
- Object-Oriented Design
- Mainframe Technologies
- COBOL
- PL/I
- JCL
- REXX
- CICS
- IMS
- DB2
- VSAM
- TSO/ISPF
- NDM/Connect:Direct
- IBM DBB
- UrbanCode Deploy (UCD)
- Z/OS Connect
- Agile Methodologies
- SDLC
- Test-Driven Development
- Object-Oriented Design
Timeline
Software Engineer I
USAA
02.2022 - Current
Advanced Programmer Analyst
KFORCE INC
10.2015 - 02.2022
Software Developer
IDEA HELIX INC
02.2015 - 10.2015
Program Analyst
HCL AMERICA
12.2013 - 02.2015
Software Engineer
HCL Technologies
05.2010 - 12.2013
Master of Computer Applications -
CVR Engineering College