Intermediate/Senior Informix -  HP-UX -4GL

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Intermediate/Senior Informix - HP-UX - 4GL Developer

Company: VTekis Consulting LLP

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: Technical Operations & Legacy System Modernization

Date Posted: April 02, 2026

Experience Level: Intermediate/Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This contract role focuses on the modernization and maintenance of a critical legacy ERP platform, requiring deep expertise in Informix 4GL and related Unix technologies.

• The position involves bridging legacy system logic with modern integration requirements, particularly for Salesforce and e-commerce platforms.

• Responsibilities include direct Informix 4GL development, API build-out, and collaboration within a lean, cross-functional, and geographically distributed team.

• The role demands strong technical troubleshooting skills for both application issues and database performance bottlenecks, alongside robust documentation and support capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is heavily focused on legacy system modernization and integration, a niche but critical area within IT operations. The emphasis on Informix 4GL, HP-UX, and Genero BDL indicates a need for specialized skills in maintaining and evolving older, yet vital, enterprise systems. The "Contract" employment type suggests a project-based engagement with a defined scope.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Legacy System Modernization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions for migrating Informix 4GL logic to Genero BDL, ensuring seamless transition and modern functionality.

• Code Development & Optimization: Write, test, and optimize clean, maintainable code in Informix 4GL, Genero BDL, and Unix Shell Scripting (Korn, Awk), focusing on efficiency and performance.

• Technical Troubleshooting & Performance Tuning: Diagnose and resolve complex application issues and database performance bottlenecks using specialized utilities such as oncheck and set explain.

• Integration Development: Lead API build-out and integration projects (RESTful/SOAP), working with technologies like XML and understanding EDI standards (810, 820) to connect legacy systems with modern platforms.

• Deployment & Testing: Oversee and execute integration, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and performance testing activities to ensure high-quality deployments with minimal business disruption.

• Support & Documentation: Manage incidents and work orders escalated from the Service Desk, adhering to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for legacy systems and new integrations.

• Team Coordination: Coordinate daily activities with a small, lean team, including one onsite resource and three offshore members, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a dual focus: deep maintenance and enhancement of existing Informix 4GL applications, and the strategic implementation of modern integration layers (APIs) to connect these legacy systems with newer platforms like Salesforce and e-commerce solutions. This requires a blend of historical system knowledge and forward-looking integration skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is typically expected for roles requiring this level of technical expertise. Equivalent practical experience may also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience with the Informix legacy platform, specifically Informix 4GL.

Required Skills:

• Primary Languages: Expert-level proficiency in Informix 4GL, Genero BDL, and SQL.

• Operating Systems: Mastery of Unix-based systems, with a strong emphasis on HP-UX. Proficiency in IBM AIX and Linux is also valuable.

• Scripting: Strong command of Unix Shell Scripting, including Korn shell and Awk.

• Database Management: Advanced knowledge of IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS), including performance tuning and diagnostic utilities.

• Integrations: Understanding of EDI (810, 820), XML, and API integration concepts (RESTful/SOAP).

• Version Control: Hands-on experience with Git, GitHub, or GitLab for code management.

• Communication: Exceptional communication skills, essential for coordinating with offshore team members and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in a high-pressure environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Secondary Languages: Proficiency in Java, Python, or Perl for integration tasks and support of modern applications.

• Database Diversity: Familiarity with SQL Server, Oracle, or Snowflake.

• Domain Knowledge: Experience with ERP Supply Chain concepts (Order creation, Pick-Pack-Ship, Invoicing, BOM) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and manufacturing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "expert-level" Informix 4GL and "mastery" of HP-UX indicates a need for senior-level candidates with deep, specialized knowledge. The inclusion of Genero BDL points towards a modernization path where candidates familiar with this target language will have a distinct advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Legacy System Case Studies: Showcase examples of maintaining, troubleshooting, or enhancing Informix 4GL applications, detailing the complexity and impact of your contributions.

• Modernization Projects: Include projects where you've migrated or integrated legacy systems with newer technologies, highlighting the transition process and outcomes.

• API Integration Examples: Demonstrate experience in designing, developing, or consuming APIs (RESTful/SOAP), illustrating your understanding of data exchange protocols.

• Performance Optimization Reports: Present documented instances of identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in Informix databases or applications, with measurable results.

• System Design Documentation: Provide samples of technical documentation, architectural diagrams, or workflow designs related to Informix or integration projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document your approach to analyzing existing workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and proposing optimized processes within legacy systems.

• Implementation & Automation: Detail your experience in implementing code changes, system integrations, or automation scripts, emphasizing testing and deployment procedures.

• Measurement & Analysis: Showcase how you measure the success and impact of your work, using metrics related to performance, efficiency, or system stability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on legacy system modernization and integration, a portfolio that demonstrates a clear progression from deep-rooted legacy expertise to modern integration capabilities is crucial. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process for analyzing legacy code, planning migrations, and executing integrations, supported by tangible examples of their work and its impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract position advertised without a specific salary, and given the specialized nature of Informix 4GL and HP-UX expertise, combined with the Chicago, Illinois location, a competitive hourly rate for a Senior Developer would range from $70 to $100+ per hour. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for contract roles requiring niche legacy technology skills and advanced integration experience in a major US metropolitan area.

Benefits: As a contract role through VTekis Consulting LLP, benefits typically vary based on the specific contract terms and the client engagement. Common benefits for contract IT professionals may include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (often through a third-party provider or offered by the contracting agency)

• Paid Time Off (less common for pure contract roles, but may be negotiated)

• 401(k) or Retirement Savings Plan (may be offered by the agency)

• Professional Development Opportunities (access to training or certifications relevant to the contract)

• Potential for contract extension or conversion to full-time employment (depending on client needs)

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are expected to be 40 hours per week, aligning with typical full-time employment. The role requires daily coordination with offshore team members, implying a need for flexibility to accommodate different time zones for critical communications or urgent issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range reflects the high demand for specialized legacy system expertise coupled with modern integration skills. Candidates should negotiate based on their specific experience level, the duration of the contract, and the full scope of responsibilities, including any travel or on-call requirements. The absence of explicit benefits in the listing suggests a need for clarification with the recruiter.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: VTekis Consulting LLP operates within the Staff Augmentation, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and Outsourced Solutions sector, serving a diverse client base across various industries. The specific project for this role appears to be within a client's technology department, likely in a sector that relies heavily on established ERP systems, such as manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain.

Company Size: VTekis Consulting LLP is a consulting firm. While the exact employee count isn't provided, their service offerings suggest a mid-sized to large consulting operation capable of managing multiple client engagements and global talent pools. The project team itself is described as "small, lean."

Founded: The founding date of VTekis Consulting LLP is not provided, but their established service offerings imply a company with several years of operational history.

Team Structure:

• Project Team: This role is part of a small, lean team comprising one onsite resource (this position) and three offshore members.

• Reporting: The onsite resource will likely report to a Project Manager or IT Lead within the client organization, with daily coordination responsibilities for the offshore team.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires collaboration with various internal teams (e.g., Service Desk, other IT departments) and potentially business stakeholders, especially concerning Supply Chain and ERP functionalities.

Methodology:

• Agile/Hybrid Approach: Given the mix of legacy maintenance and new integration projects, the team likely operates under an Agile or hybrid methodology, balancing iterative development for modernization with structured support for existing systems.

• Data-Driven Support: The emphasis on oncheck and set explain suggests a data-driven approach to diagnosing and resolving issues within the Informix database.

• Process Optimization: The role's responsibilities include identifying and implementing process improvements within the legacy ERP and integration workflows.

Company Website: [VTekis Consulting LLP - Website URL not provided in raw data. Assuming a typical domain structure: www.vtekis.com]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is geared towards client service and talent placement. For this specific role, the team dynamics are crucial: a small, distributed team requires strong communication and leadership from the onsite resource to ensure cohesive progress on a technically demanding project.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is categorized as Intermediate/Senior due to the requirement of 5+ years of specialized experience. It's not an entry-level role; it demands a deep understanding of legacy technologies and the ability to mentor or guide less experienced team members (implicitly, the offshore team). The role is operational in the sense that it's responsible for the continuous functioning and strategic evolution of critical business systems.

Reporting Structure: The candidate will likely report to an IT Manager or Project Lead within the client organization that VTekis Consulting LLP is serving. They will also be responsible for coordinating the daily activities of the offshore team members, acting as a lead for the onsite component of the project.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on business operations by:

• Ensuring System Uptime: Maintaining the mission-critical legacy ERP platform prevents disruptions to core business functions like order processing, shipping, and invoicing.

• Facilitating Modernization: Enabling integration with Salesforce and e-commerce platforms directly supports sales growth, customer experience, and operational efficiency in the digital age.

• Improving Efficiency: Optimizing legacy code and database performance reduces operational costs and speeds up business processes.

• Bridging Technical Gaps: Connecting legacy systems with modern infrastructure is vital for data flow and overall business agility.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in legacy system modernization, Genero BDL, and complex ERP integrations.

• Leadership: Developing team coordination and project management skills by leading the onsite effort and guiding offshore resources.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining broader understanding of Supply Chain, WMS, and manufacturing workflows through direct involvement.

• Transition to Modern Tech: Opportunities to learn and apply modern languages (Java, Python, Perl) and integration patterns in a practical, high-impact setting.

• Contract Extension/Conversion: Potential for longer-term engagement or full-time employment based on project success and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the "Intermediate/Senior" designation and the responsibility for coordinating offshore resources suggest a significant level of autonomy and potential for leadership. The growth opportunities lie in becoming a highly specialized expert in bridging legacy and modern technology stacks, a valuable skill in many established enterprises.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role located in Chicago, Illinois. The specific office environment would be within the client organization that VTekis Consulting LLP is contracted to serve. This could range from a traditional corporate office to a more modern, collaborative workspace.

Office Location(s): The job posting specifies "Illinois 43, Chicago, IL, USA," indicating a specific location within the Chicago metropolitan area. Accessibility via public transport or major roadways would be a factor for on-site employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being an onsite resource, the role requires close collaboration with a predominantly offshore team. This necessitates strong remote communication tools and practices.

• Technical Resources: Access to necessary hardware, software licenses (Informix, Genero, HP-UX environments), and development tools will be provided by the client.

• Team Interaction: While the onsite team is lean, interaction with other IT professionals within the client's organization is expected, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking.

• Focus on Legacy & Modernization: The workspace will likely involve environments for both maintaining legacy systems (potentially requiring specific hardware or virtualized environments) and developing/testing new integrations.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be required for critical deployments, issue resolution, or coordination with offshore team members in different time zones. This flexibility is key to managing a distributed team and ensuring continuous support for mission-critical systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role, coupled with a distributed team, presents a unique dynamic. The candidate will need to be comfortable bridging the physical office environment with virtual collaboration, potentially acting as the primary point of contact and facilitator for the offshore team within the client's physical location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter from VTekis Consulting LLP will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience with Informix 4GL, and understanding of the role's technical scope.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more technical interviews with hiring managers or senior technical staff from the client organization. These interviews will delve deeply into your Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL, and API integration expertise. Expect scenario-based questions and problem-solving exercises.

• Portfolio Review: Be prepared to present and discuss specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your experience with legacy system modernization, performance tuning, and integration projects. This is a critical part of the evaluation.

• Cultural Fit/Team Interview: An interview focusing on your ability to collaborate with a distributed team, communicate effectively, and adapt to the client's work environment.

• Final Offer: If successful, VTekis Consulting LLP will extend a contract offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Informix 4GL & HP-UX: Showcase your deepest experience with these core technologies. Detail specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

• Demonstrate Modernization: Provide case studies of migrating or integrating legacy systems. Clearly articulate the "before" and "after" states, focusing on improvements in efficiency, scalability, or functionality.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible (e.g., "reduced query time by 30%", "enabled X new integration points", "resolved Y critical bugs").

• Explain Your Process: For each portfolio item, describe your problem-solving methodology, the tools you used, and your role in the project.

• API Integration Clarity: Clearly explain the architecture and data flow for any API integration projects you present.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions like: "How would you approach migrating this Informix 4GL module to Genero BDL?", "Describe a time you resolved a complex Informix performance issue.", "How would you design an API to connect our ERP to Salesforce for order data?"

• Code Snippets: Be ready to discuss or analyze small code snippets in Informix 4GL or shell scripting.

• Troubleshooting Walkthroughs: Practice explaining your thought process for diagnosing and resolving issues related to database performance, application logic errors, or integration failures.

• Team Coordination Scenarios: Prepare for questions about managing offshore teams, handling communication breakdowns, and ensuring project alignment across different locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should curate their submissions to specifically address the requirements of Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL migration, and API integration. Practical demonstrations of problem-solving and system enhancement will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Informix 4GL: Core development and maintenance language.

• Genero BDL: Target language for system modernization/migration.

• IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS): The primary database management system.

• HP-UX: The primary operating system environment.

• Unix Shell Scripting: Essential for automation, system administration, and data manipulation (Korn, Awk).

Analytics & Reporting:

• SQL: For database querying, analysis, and reporting.

• set explain: Informix utility for analyzing query execution plans and identifying performance bottlenecks.

• oncheck: Informix utility suite for database integrity checks and diagnostics.

• Custom Reporting Tools: Potentially built using Informix 4GL, Genero, or scripting languages to generate operational reports.

CRM & Automation:

• API Integration Tools: Experience with RESTful and SOAP APIs is crucial for connecting legacy systems to modern platforms.

• XML: For data formatting in integrations.

• EDI Standards (810, 820): Important for business-to-business transaction data exchange.

• Version Control Systems: Git, GitHub, GitLab for code management and collaborative development.

• Potential for Automation Frameworks: Scripts written in Python, Perl, or Java might be used for automating tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily weighted towards established, enterprise-grade legacy systems. Proficiency in these specific tools, especially Informix 4GL and HP-UX, is non-negotiable. Familiarity with modern integration technologies like APIs is equally important for the modernization aspect of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Reliability & Stability: A core value for maintaining critical legacy systems, ensuring business continuity and minimizing downtime.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Driving performance improvements in both legacy code and integration processes to reduce costs and increase throughput.

• Accuracy & Data Integrity: Ensuring that data processed and managed by the ERP system is accurate and consistent.

• Collaboration & Communication: Essential for success in a distributed team environment, fostering clear understanding and alignment across geographies.

• Problem-Solving & Innovation: A proactive approach to identifying and resolving technical challenges, and finding innovative ways to bridge legacy systems with modern solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Bridging Onsite/Offshore: The onsite resource is expected to be a key facilitator, ensuring clear communication, task delegation, and knowledge transfer between the onsite and offshore team members.

• Process-Oriented: A structured approach to task management, code reviews, and issue resolution, likely adhering to established ITIL or Agile principles.

• Feedback Exchange: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged to continuously improve processes, code quality, and team dynamics.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactive sharing of technical insights, best practices, and documentation to build collective expertise within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture will likely be pragmatic and results-oriented, driven by the need to keep critical systems running while advancing modernization efforts. The success of the onsite resource will heavily depend on their ability to foster a cohesive and productive working relationship with the offshore team, overcoming potential communication barriers.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Legacy System Complexity: Deeply understanding and maintaining intricate legacy codebases (Informix 4GL) that may lack comprehensive documentation or have been developed over many years.

• Bridging Old and New: Effectively integrating older, often monolithic, ERP systems with modern, agile platforms like Salesforce and e-commerce solutions.

• Distributed Team Management: Ensuring effective communication, coordination, and productivity across different time zones and cultural backgrounds with the offshore team.

• HP-UX Environment: Working within a less common, though robust, Unix environment that requires specialized knowledge for administration and troubleshooting.

• Keeping Skills Current: Balancing the need to maintain legacy systems with the imperative to stay updated on modern technologies and integration patterns.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Genergo BDL Mastery: Significant opportunity to become an expert in Genero BDL through hands-on migration projects.

• Advanced API Integration: Deepen expertise in designing, building, and consuming complex APIs for enterprise-level integrations.

• Supply Chain & ERP Domain Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of critical business processes within Supply Chain, WMS, and manufacturing.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Develop enhanced soft skills in managing and collaborating with international teams.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor offshore team members, honing leadership and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in managing the technical debt of legacy systems while driving forward-looking integration initiatives. Success in this role offers substantial growth in specialized technical areas and in managing complex, distributed project teams.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Informix 4GL/Genero BDL Migration: "Describe your approach to migrating a complex Informix 4GL application module to Genero BDL. What are the key challenges and how would you mitigate them?"

• API Integration Design: "How would you design a RESTful API to synchronize order data between our legacy Informix ERP and Salesforce? What security considerations would you prioritize?"

• Performance Tuning: "Walk me through your process for diagnosing and resolving a slow-running query in IBM Informix Dynamic Server. What tools would you use, and what are common causes of performance degradation?"

• Shell Scripting Utility: "Provide an example of a complex Unix Korn shell script you've written to automate a critical operational task. What problem did it solve?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• Team Coordination: "How would you ensure effective daily coordination and task alignment with an offshore team of three developers?"

• Onsite vs. Offshore Dynamics: "What strategies would you employ as the sole onsite resource to foster a strong working relationship with your offshore colleagues?"

• Client Engagement: "How would you handle a situation where the client's business requirements for an integration project conflict with technical feasibility?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution, your role, the technologies used, and the quantifiable results.

• Focus on Informix & Integration: Prioritize examples that directly showcase your Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL migration, and API integration skills.

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to explain how you approached the problem, not just what you did. This includes your analysis, design, implementation, and testing phases.

• Anticipate Technical Deep Dives: Be prepared for detailed questions about your code