Senior Power Builder Developer

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on PowerBuilder expert with proven experience leading legacy application modernization and migration initiatives. This role combines deep technical PowerBuilder expertise with the ability to independently assess legacy systems, define modernization roadmaps, and lead delivery workstreams that take applications from legacy platforms to modern architectures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead assessment of legacy PowerBuilder applications object inventory, complexity/effort analysis, target architecture recommendations, and migration roadmaps.
• Own and drive a significant workstream within a larger modernization program, from assessment through delivery.
• Develop, maintain, and re-engineer PowerBuilder applications, including DataWindows, user objects, inheritance structures, events, and functions.
• Guide the decomposition of monolithic PowerBuilder applications into services/modules aligned with target architecture (.NET, Java, or web-based stacks).
• Lead or contribute to cross-database migration efforts (e.g., Sybase to SQL Server or Oracle), including dialect conversion and data migration.
• Write and optimize complex SQL — queries, stored procedures, indexing, and performance tuning.
• Mentor developers, conduct code reviews, and serve as a technical point of contact for client stakeholders.
• Produce clear technical documentation to support delivery teams and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate using Git and standard defect/task tracking tools within an agile delivery environment.

Required Skills and Experience

• Hands-on PowerBuilder development experience, including PowerBuilder 2019 or later (2019 R3, 2021, 2022 R3 or newer), along with experience on older versions (PB 9/10/11/12.x).
• Experience with PowerBuilder framework code (PFC or in-house frameworks).
• Strong PowerScript skills with practical depth in DataWindows, user objects, inheritance, events, and functions.
• Demonstrable experience on at least one PowerBuilder modernization, migration, or re-engineering project to a modern stack (.NET, Java, web front-end, or comparable target).
• Working knowledge of at least two of: Sybase (SQL Anywhere or ASE), Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database.
• Strong SQL skills: complex queries, stored procedures, indexing basics, and query tuning.
• Experience leading or owning a significant workstream on a full modernization program, from assessment through delivery.
• Ability to independently run a legacy application assessment: object inventory, complexity/effort analysis, target architecture recommendation, and migration roadmap.
• Solid grasp of application architecture and design patterns in the target stack, including decomposing monolithic PowerBuilder applications into services or modules.
• Cross-database migration experience (e.g., Sybase to SQL Server or Oracle), including dialect conversion and data migration.
• Experience mentoring developers, reviewing code, and acting as a technical point of contact for client stakeholders.
• Proficiency with version control (Git) and defect/task tracking tools.
• Clear written and verbal communication in English, with the ability to produce documentation others can build from.

Good to Have

• Experience with PowerBuilder .NET, PowerServer, or Appeon PowerBuilder web/cloud deployment.
• Cloud platform exposure (Azure or AWS), containers, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Familiarity with .NET (C#) or Java, and understanding of REST API design.