Senior Back-End Software Engineer (London)

This role provides the opportunity to lead and shape Manulife’s core mainframe platforms that underpin critical business capabilities. You will drive the design, modernization, and operational excellence of mission‑critical systems, ensuring reliability, security, and scalability while enabling integration with modern digital and cloud ecosystems. The role contributes directly to Manulife’s mission by setting engineering standards, leading complex initiatives, and influencing technical direction across multiple teams. Position Responsibilities - Designs, develops, tests, and deploys secure, scalable back‑end components across core mainframe platforms - Translates business and functional requirements into clear technical designs, specifications, and user stories - Builds and maintains integrations between mainframe systems and distributed or cloud‑based services using APIs and messaging patterns - Ensures high availability, performance, and data integrity through optimization of batch, online, and database processing - Leads or contributes to code reviews, production support, and continuous improvement of engineering standards and practices Required Qualifications - 10+ years of hands‑on mainframe engineering experience delivering enterprise‑scale solutions - 10+ years of experience with COBOL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, JCL and related mainframe utilities - Experience working with mainframe integration technologies (e.g., z/OS Connect, REST APIs) - Experience supporting production systems and resolving complex incidents in regulated environments - Post‑secondary education in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience Preferred Qualifications - Experience leading projects or workstreams across multiple teams or geographies - Exposure to mainframe modernization and hybrid (mainframe + cloud) architectures - Experience with CI/CD practices and automation in a mainframe or multi‑platform environment - Strong understanding of security, data protection, and access controls for sensitive systems - Ability to mentor engineers and influence engineering practices across teams Benefits - Opportunities to learn and grow the career you want - Recognition and support in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are priorities - Part of a global team supporting the future you want to see Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life and AD&D; insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness perks, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and the full range of statutory leaves of absence. Salary range is expected to be between 113,000.00 CAD - 163,000.00 CAD. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job‑related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact for the salary range for your location. Working arrangement: hybrid, location: Waterloo, Ontario. Job information: The role being advertised is an existing vacancy. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Manulife/John Hancock is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity. We strive to attract, develop, retain, and promote a diverse workforce and provide an inclusive workplace. All hiring, retention, promotion, and compensation practices are conducted fairly. All accommodations are available when requested in the application process. Please contact for reasonable accommodation requests. We use data and analytics technologies to analyze and process the information you provide in the application process. For more information refer to our personal information collection statement. Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.ca/job/2parzc