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: Software Engineering / Legacy Systems Modernization

Date Posted: March 31, 2026

Experience Level: Intermediate/Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

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

• The position involves bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern applications, particularly Salesforce and e-commerce platforms, through API development and integration.

• Candidates will be responsible for direct development, technical troubleshooting, and ensuring the stability and performance of the ERP system within a Unix/Linux environment.

• Effective collaboration with a distributed team, including offshore resources, is a key aspect of this role, demanding strong communication and leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title suggests a primary focus on Informix 4GL, the description clearly indicates a need for modern integration skills (Java, Python, Perl, APIs) and a strategic approach to system modernization. This is not just a maintenance role; it's a critical bridge between legacy and future tech stacks. The contract nature suggests a project-based engagement, likely focused on specific modernization milestones.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Directly manage and execute development tasks for the Informix 4GL legacy ERP platform, ensuring code quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and implement solutions that modernize legacy logic, potentially migrating Informix 4GL components to Genero BDL or similar modern platforms.

• Develop and maintain robust integrations using Java, Python, or Perl, and lead API build-out (RESTful/SOAP) to connect the legacy ERP with Salesforce, e-commerce platforms, and other business systems.

• Perform advanced technical troubleshooting of application issues and database performance bottlenecks within IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) using diagnostic utilities like oncheck and set explain.

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

• Provide ongoing support for the ERP system, manage incidents and work orders escalated from the Service Desk, adhering to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation for legacy code, new integrations, and system processes to facilitate knowledge transfer and support.

• Operate effectively within a Unix/Linux environment, utilizing shell scripting (Korn, Awk) for automation and system management tasks.

• Coordinate daily activities and provide technical guidance to a small, lean team, including three offshore members, fostering effective communication and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: maintaining critical legacy systems (Informix 4GL, IDS) and driving modernization through modern integration techniques (APIs, Java, Python, Perl). The emphasis on "System Modernization & Design" and "API build-out" suggests this role is instrumental in the company's digital transformation efforts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in developing and maintaining enterprise-level applications, with a significant portion dedicated to legacy systems.

Required Skills:

• Primary Languages: Expert-level proficiency in Informix 4GL, Genero BDL, and SQL for complex data manipulation and application logic.

• Operating Systems: Mastery of Unix-based systems, specifically HP-UX, and strong familiarity with IBM AIX and Linux environments.

• Database Management: Advanced knowledge and practical experience with IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS), including performance tuning and troubleshooting.

• Integration Technologies: Understanding and practical experience with EDI standards (e.g., 810, 820), XML, and API integration concepts (RESTful/SOAP).

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

• Shell Scripting: Proficiency in Unix Shell Scripting languages such as Korn, Awk, and Sed for system administration and automation.

Preferred Skills:

• Secondary Languages: Proficiency in modern programming languages like Java, Python, or Perl for integration, scripting, and supporting modernized components.

• Other Databases: Familiarity with SQL Server, Oracle, or Snowflake would be beneficial for understanding broader database landscapes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5 years of experience" is explicitly stated for Informix legacy platform expertise. The AI-generated range of "5-10 years" is a reasonable interpretation for an "Intermediate/Senior" level, encompassing both the core legacy requirement and the broader integration/modernization experience. The distinction between primary and secondary languages is crucial for candidates to understand their core strengths versus areas for growth.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Legacy System Modernization Case Studies: Demonstrations of how you have successfully bridged legacy systems (like Informix 4GL) with modern technologies, showcasing problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• API Development & Integration Examples: Portfolio pieces illustrating your experience in designing, building, and deploying APIs (RESTful/SOAP), including examples of data exchange formats like XML.

• Database Performance Optimization Projects: Tangible examples of identifying and resolving complex database performance issues within Informix IDS or similar relational databases, including the methodologies used.

• Workflow Automation & Scripting: Showcases of Unix Shell Scripting (Korn, Awk) or Python/Perl scripts used to automate tasks, manage systems, or enhance operational efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Examples of documented workflows for system maintenance, incident management, change control, and development processes within a legacy or hybrid environment.

• System Implementation & Testing Standards: Evidence of established processes for system deployments, integration testing, UAT, and performance testing, ensuring high-quality releases.

• Performance Analysis & Reporting: Demonstrations of how you document and report on system performance, database health, and the impact of optimizations or new implementations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving legacy system modernization and integration, a portfolio demonstrating practical application of skills in these areas is critical. This section emphasizes showcasing not just technical skills but also the candidate's approach to process, problem-solving, and delivering measurable improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• As a contract role through VTekis Consulting LLP, benefits may vary based on the specific contract terms and duration. Typically, contract employees may be eligible for:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (often through a third-party provider or the contracting agency).
  • Retirement savings plan options (e.g., 401k, subject to eligibility).
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) or vacation accrual, depending on contract agreement.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training related to project scope.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, approximately 40 hours per week. The role is on-site in Chicago, IL, implying adherence to standard business hours, though some flexibility might be available for critical tasks or coordination with offshore teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market data for contract IT roles in Chicago, IL, with specific consideration for the niche Informix 4GL and HP-UX skills, combined with modern API integration requirements. The benefits are typical for contract positions managed by staffing agencies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Staff Augmentation, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Contract Hiring, Direct Hire, Outsourced Solutions.

Company Size: VTekis Consulting LLP is likely a medium-sized firm within the staffing and consulting sector. Given their focus on providing "complete solutions," they would need a diverse pool of specialized talent.

Founded: While not explicitly stated, the company's focus on a broad range of staffing solutions suggests an established presence in the market.

Team Structure:

• The immediate project team is described as small and lean, consisting of one onsite resource (this role) and three offshore members.

• This structure requires strong leadership and clear communication from the onsite resource to effectively coordinate and guide the offshore team.

Methodology:

• VTekis Consulting emphasizes "matching the right professional for your staffing needs" and ensuring "perfect fit" through proper assignment. This suggests a client-centric approach focused on understanding specific technical and business requirements.

• For this specific project, the methodology will involve a blend of legacy system maintenance best practices and agile principles for modernization and integration efforts, likely prioritizing rapid deployment and iterative improvements.

Company Website: VTekis Consulting LLP (Note: The provided company_url was null, so a placeholder is used. A real job description would link this.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core business is staffing and consulting, meaning this role is likely an augmentation for one of their clients. The description of the "Team Dynamics" is crucial for understanding the collaborative environment and the need for strong self-management and leadership from the candidate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an Intermediate to Senior level, requiring significant independent contribution and technical expertise in specific legacy and modern technologies. It's a hands-on development role with a strong component of technical leadership and project coordination.

Reporting Structure:

• The candidate will likely report to a Project Manager or a Senior IT Lead within VTekis Consulting LLP or directly to a client-side IT manager.

Operations Impact:

• The primary impact of this role is on the stability, performance, and modernization of a "mission-critical Legacy ERP platform."

• By expediting integration with Salesforce and e-commerce platforms, this role directly contributes to enhancing sales effectiveness, customer experience, and operational efficiency across supply chain and order fulfillment processes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in legacy ERP systems and their integration pathways, becoming a go-to specialist in Informix 4GL and Genero BDL modernization.

• Modern Integration Leadership: Gain extensive experience in API development, Salesforce integration, and e-commerce platform connectivity, potentially leading future integration projects.

• Team Leadership: Develop leadership and project management skills by coordinating offshore teams and managing project deliverables.

• Broader Domain Exposure: Expand knowledge in supply chain, WMS, and manufacturing workflows through direct involvement with the ERP system's core functions.

• Contract-to-Hire Potential: Depending on client needs and candidate performance, there may be opportunities for contract extension or conversion to a permanent position with the client organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities lean heavily into specialization within a niche but critical area of enterprise technology, coupled with the in-demand skills of modern integration. This role offers a unique chance to impact core business operations by transforming legacy systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Chicago, IL. This suggests a typical corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Specific address provided is "Illinois 43, Chicago, IL, USA." This implies a location accessible within the Chicago metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be within a professional office setting in Chicago, facilitating direct collaboration with any local client-side team members.

• Access to necessary hardware, software, and network resources for development, testing, and communication will be provided.

Work Schedule:

• The role is specified as Contract, with standard working hours (approximately 40 per week). While the exact schedule will be determined by the client's needs, it will primarily align with U.S. business hours for effective coordination with both local and offshore teams. Some flexibility might be expected for critical deployments or urgent issue resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Chicago is a key factor. Candidates should be prepared for a traditional office environment and the commute associated with it. The need to coordinate with offshore teams implies a dynamic schedule where some flexibility might be needed beyond strict 9-to-5.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A phone or video call with a VTekis Consulting recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview: A detailed interview, likely with a senior technical resource or hiring manager from VTekis or the client. This will focus on Informix 4GL, HP-UX, SQL, API concepts, and problem-solving scenarios.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to present specific examples from their portfolio that demonstrate their experience with legacy system modernization, API development, database optimization, and Unix scripting. This may be integrated into the technical interview or be a separate session.

• On-site Interview (or final video call): A final interview, potentially with key stakeholders at the client company, to assess overall fit, communication skills, and strategic thinking related to the project's goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the technologies used, and the measurable business impact (e.g., efficiency gains, cost savings, improved performance).

• Legacy to Modern Transition: Highlight any projects where you've successfully migrated or integrated legacy systems with newer technologies. Detail the challenges and how you overcame them.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to walk through code snippets, database schemas, or API designs to showcase your technical proficiency.

• Collaboration Examples: If possible, include examples of how you've managed or collaborated with distributed or offshore teams.

Challenge Preparation:

• Expect technical challenges related to Informix 4GL coding, SQL query optimization, or Unix shell scripting.

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios for integrating legacy systems with modern platforms like Salesforce.

• Prepare to explain your approach to troubleshooting complex application or database issues.

• Familiarize yourself with basic supply chain operations concepts, as domain knowledge is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and specific technical challenges underscores the hands-on nature of this role. Candidates should prepare concrete examples and be ready to discuss their approach to problem-solving in both legacy and modern tech contexts.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Legacy Development: Informix 4GL, Genero BDL (preferred for modernization).

• Database: IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) - expert level.

• Operating Systems: HP-UX (primary), IBM AIX, Linux (strong familiarity).

• Scripting: Unix Shell Scripting (Korn, Awk, Sed - essential).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Database Utilities: oncheck, set explain for performance analysis and troubleshooting.

• Reporting Tools: Standard reporting capabilities within Informix IDS and potentially custom reporting solutions built using 4GL or other languages.

• Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab are essential for code management.

CRM & Automation:

• Integration Technologies: EDI (810, 820), XML, RESTful APIs, SOAP APIs.

• Programming Languages for Integration: Java, Python, Perl (proficiency is a plus).

• Potential Client Systems: Salesforce (for integration), e-commerce platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations professionals to quickly assess their technical alignment. The combination of deep legacy expertise and modern integration skills is what makes this role unique and in demand.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Reliability & Stability: Given the mission-critical nature of the ERP, a strong emphasis on delivering stable, reliable code and maintaining system uptime is paramount.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to improve system performance, streamline processes, and automate tasks is expected, especially in managing legacy systems and integrating new ones.

• Collaboration & Communication: With a distributed team structure, open, clear, and proactive communication is essential for successful project delivery.

• Problem-Solving & Innovation: A willingness to tackle complex technical challenges and explore modern solutions for legacy systems.

• Client Focus: As this is a contract role, understanding and meeting client-specific needs and objectives is a core value.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates with a lean structure, requiring a high degree of autonomy and self-direction from each member.

• Daily coordination with offshore team members will be critical, likely involving daily stand-ups or check-ins.

• Proactive communication and knowledge sharing are vital to bridge geographical and time zone differences.

• The onsite resource is expected to lead by example and provide technical direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "lean team" and "offshore members" context strongly suggests a culture that values proactivity, excellent communication, and a results-oriented approach. Candidates who thrive in independent work but can also lead and collaborate virtually will be most successful.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Legacy System Constraints: Working with older technologies like Informix 4GL and HP-UX can present limitations in terms of development tools, debugging capabilities, and integration complexity.

• Bridging the Gap: Effectively integrating a deeply entrenched legacy ERP with modern platforms like Salesforce requires careful planning, robust error handling, and deep understanding of both systems.

• Team Coordination: Managing and coordinating tasks across different time zones and cultural backgrounds with an offshore team can be challenging.

• Technical Debt Management: Balancing the need to maintain existing systems with the drive to modernize and reduce technical debt requires strategic decision-making.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into ERP & Supply Chain: Gain unparalleled insight into the operational backbone of a business through a mission-critical ERP system.

• Modern Integration Mastery: Become highly proficient in API development, data mapping, and integrating enterprise applications.

• Cross-Cultural Team Leadership: Hone skills in managing and communicating with distributed, international teams.

• Exposure to Multiple Technologies: By working on both legacy and modern components, candidates can broaden their technical repertoire.

• Project-Specific Training: Potential for training on Genero BDL or specific Salesforce/e-commerce integration tools if required for the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth for individuals looking to become experts in the critical intersection of legacy systems and modern enterprise architecture. The challenges are substantial but provide excellent opportunities for skill development and impactful contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Legacy Modernization Approach: "Describe your strategy for modernizing a critical legacy ERP system like Informix 4GL. What are the key risks, and how would you mitigate them?" (Focus on phased approaches, testing, and stakeholder alignment.)

• API Integration Design: "Walk me through the process of designing and building a RESTful API to integrate an ERP system with Salesforce. What data would you expose, and what security considerations would you prioritize?" (Highlight your understanding of data flows, security protocols, and common integration patterns.)

• Performance Bottleneck Diagnosis: "You're experiencing slow query performance in Informix IDS. What steps would you take to diagnose and resolve the issue? What tools would you use?" (Be ready to discuss oncheck, set explain, indexing strategies, and query optimization techniques.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "VTekis Consulting emphasizes finding the 'perfect fit.' How do you ensure your technical contributions align with the client's broader business objectives?" (Connect your work to business outcomes and client satisfaction.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on the "Why": For each project, explain the business problem or opportunity that drove the technical solution.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., "reduced processing time by 30%," "increased data accuracy by 99%," "enabled real-time sales data synchronization").

• Technical Storytelling: Clearly explain your role, the technologies used, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned. For legacy systems, emphasize how you maintained stability while enabling new functionality.

• Integration Showcase: If you have API or EDI examples, walk through a sample transaction flow and explain the data mapping and transformation involved.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation highlights the need for candidates to demonstrate not only technical prowess but also strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and strong communication skills, particularly in the context of a distributed team and client-facing role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to prominently feature your experience with Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Unix Shell Scripting, and any relevant API/integration projects. Use keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility. Highlight quantifiable achievements.

• Portfolio Preparation: Compile specific examples of your work that showcase legacy system modernization, API/integration development, database performance tuning, and Unix scripting. Be ready to discuss these in detail during interviews.

• Technical Readiness: Review core Informix 4GL syntax, SQL query optimization techniques, common Unix commands, and fundamental API concepts (REST/SOAP). Refresh your understanding of supply chain workflows.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with VTekis Consulting LLP's services and their client-centric approach to staffing and consulting. Understand the potential client's industry (likely related to supply chain or manufacturing) and the importance of their ERP system.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.