"Legacy mainframe systems are still the backbone of many government agencies, and the demand for experts who can modernize them has never been higher. As states push digital transformation, professionals with deep Natural and ADABAS knowledge are essential to bridge old and new technologies. This Senior Natural/ADABAS Architect role offers a unique chance to lead high\u2011impact modernization projects for the State of Mississippi.\n\n# Job Summary\nThe Senior Natural/ADABAS Architect will lead architecture and modernization initiatives for critical state-wide legacy applications. Responsibilities include translating business requirements into scalable technical solutions, driving integration across mainframe and modern platforms, and ensuring performance, quality, and security throughout the project lifecycle.\n\n# Top 3 Critical Skills Table\n| Skill | Why it's critical | Mastery Level |\n|-------|-------------------|---------------|\n| Natural / ADABAS | Core language for existing business logic; needed to understand and refactor legacy code | Senior |\n| Mainframe Technologies (COBOL, CICS, JCL, VSAM) | Underpin the platform where Natural runs; essential for integration and performance tuning | Senior |\n| Legacy System Modernization & Architecture | Drives the transition to modern environments while preserving functionality | Senior |\n\n# Interview Preparation\n1. **Explain how you would approach modernizing a large Natural/ADABAS application while keeping it operational.**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Understanding of phased migration, risk mitigation, and integration strategies.\n2. **Describe the role of CICS and VSAM in a mainframe environment and how they interact with Natural programs.**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Depth of mainframe knowledge and ability to optimize I/O and transaction processing.\n3. **How do you ensure data integrity when moving from ADABAS to a relational database or NoSQL store?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Experience with data mapping, ETL processes, and validation techniques.\n4. **What Agile or SCRUM practices have you applied to legacy modernization projects, and what challenges did you face?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Ability to blend traditional SDLC with modern agile methods.\n5. **Can you discuss a time you used Software AG tools (e.g., EntireX, ApplinX) to enable integration between mainframe and distributed systems?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Hands\u2011on experience with integration middleware and problem\u2011solving skills.\n\n# Resume Optimization\n- Natural\n- ADABAS\n- COBOL\n- CICS\n- JCL\n- VSAM\n- Software AG\n- EntireX\n- Legacy Modernization\n- Agile\n\n# Application Strategy\nWhen reaching out to the recruiter, send a concise email that starts with a friendly greeting, attaches your updated resume, and clearly highlights your top relevant skills. Make sure to mention related skills you possess, such as Natural/ADABAS expertise, mainframe technologies (COBOL, CICS), and experience with legacy system modernization. Reference specific projects where you led architecture or migration efforts, and align your experience with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.\n\n# Career Roadmap\n| Current Role | Typical Experience | Core Focus | Next Position |\n|--------------|-------------------|------------|---------------|\n| Senior Natural/ADABAS Architect | 10\u201115 years in mainframe & modernization | Architecture of legacy systems, stakeholder alignment | Lead Enterprise Architect |\n| Lead Enterprise Architect | 15+ years, multiple platform migrations | End\u2011to\u2011end technology strategy, governance | Director of Technology / CTO |\n| Director of Technology / CTO | 20+ years, enterprise\u2011wide digital transformation | Visionary leadership, portfolio management | VP of Engineering or CIO |\n"