Intermediate/Senior Informix -  HP-UX -4GL

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: VTekis Consulting LLP

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: Legacy Systems Modernization & Support (Operations Technology)

Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Experience Level: Intermediate/Senior (5+ Years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

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

• The position involves bridging the gap between existing foundational systems and modern integration platforms like Salesforce and e-commerce solutions.

• Candidates will be responsible for both direct development and maintenance of legacy code, as well as leading API build-out and integration initiatives.

• This role demands strong technical acumen in database management, operating systems, and scripting to ensure the stability and evolution of mission-critical business applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly specialized within the operations technology domain, focusing on the critical but often overlooked area of legacy system modernization and integration. The emphasis on Informix 4GL, HP-UX, and bridging to modern platforms like Salesforce positions this as a key role for ensuring business continuity and enabling digital transformation for the client. The "Contract" employment type suggests a project-driven need for these specific skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Legacy System Modernization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions that transition Informix 4GL logic to modern environments such as Genero BDL.

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

• Technical Troubleshooting & Performance Tuning: Diagnose and resolve complex application issues and database performance bottlenecks using tools like oncheck and set explain within the IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) environment.

• Integration & API Development: Lead the build-out and integration of APIs (RESTful/SOAP) to connect the legacy ERP with modern systems like Salesforce and e-commerce platforms.

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

• Incident Management & Support: Manage and resolve escalated incidents and work orders from the Service Desk, adhering strictly to Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive technical documentation for legacy systems, new integrations, and operational procedures.

• Offshore Team Coordination: Provide daily coordination, guidance, and technical direction to a small, distributed offshore team of three members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a dual focus on maintaining and enhancing the existing legacy system while actively driving its integration with newer technologies. The explicit mention of Genero BDL as a migration target, alongside API development and coordination with offshore resources, highlights the strategic importance and complexity of this role within a GTM or operational technology context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience with the Informix legacy platform, with a strong emphasis on Informix 4GL.

• Proven experience in system modernization and bridging legacy logic with modern requirements.

• Hands-on experience with Unix/Linux environments, specifically HP-UX, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level Informix 4GL: Deep understanding of its syntax, programming constructs, and best practices for development and maintenance.

• Genero BDL: Proficiency or demonstrated ability to quickly learn and work with Genero Business Development Language for modernization efforts.

• SQL: Advanced proficiency in writing complex SQL queries, particularly for IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS).

• Unix/Linux Shell Scripting: Mastery of Korn and Awk scripting for automation, data manipulation, and system administration tasks.

• Database Management (IBM Informix Dynamic Server - IDS): Advanced knowledge of IDS architecture, performance tuning utilities (oncheck, set explain), and data management.

• API Integration (RESTful/SOAP): Practical experience in developing and integrating with APIs for system interconnectivity.

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

• Technical Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues across applications and databases.

Preferred Skills:

• Secondary Programming Languages: Proficiency in Java, Python, or Perl for integration, scripting, and supporting modern application components.

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

• Operating Systems: Experience with other Unix variants (AIX, Linux) and Windows environments.

• EDI Standards: Understanding of EDI formats such as 810 and 820.

• XML: Experience working with XML data structures.

• ERP Supply Chain Concepts: Strong business understanding of Order creation, Pick-Pack-Ship processes, Invoicing, and Bill of Materials (BOM).

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Familiarity with WMS functionalities and manufacturing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "minimum 5 years of experience on the Informix legacy platform (specifically 4GL)" and "Mastery of Unix-based systems (HP-UX, IBM AIX, Linux)" strongly indicates a need for seasoned professionals. The inclusion of Genero BDL as a primary language alongside Informix 4GL points towards a specific modernization path the company is pursuing. The soft skill requirement for coordinating offshore teams is crucial for this contract role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Legacy Code Samples: Demonstrable examples of Informix 4GL code, showcasing complexity, efficiency, and best practices. This should highlight problem-solving within legacy constraints.

• Modernization Case Study: A detailed example of a project where you modernized a legacy component or system, ideally involving Informix or a similar database technology, outlining the challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• API Integration Project: A case study or examples of APIs you have built or integrated, detailing the technologies used (e.g., REST, SOAP), the purpose of the integration, and the impact on business processes.

• Shell Scripting Examples: Samples of Korn or Awk scripts used for automation, data processing, or system administration tasks in a Unix/Linux environment.

• Performance Tuning Evidence: Documentation or case studies illustrating how you identified and resolved performance bottlenecks in Informix databases or applications, potentially using tools like oncheck or set explain.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Examples of how you have documented and optimized business workflows, particularly those related to Supply Chain (Order to Cash, Procure to Pay) that were impacted by or supported by the legacy ERP.

• System Implementation & Automation: Evidence of processes you've implemented or automated, especially those involving legacy systems, scripting, or API integrations.

• Measurement & Analysis: How you have measured the impact of your work, such as improvements in application performance, reduction in errors, or successful integration metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role heavily focused on legacy systems and modernization, a portfolio demonstrating direct experience with Informix 4GL, Unix scripting, and API integration is paramount. Candidates should be prepared to showcase how they've managed complex technical challenges and facilitated transitions to more modern architectures, highlighting their ability to work effectively with distributed teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• For a contract role with this specialized skill set (Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL, API Integration) and experience level (Intermediate/Senior) in Chicago, IL, contract rates can vary significantly based on the project duration, client's budget, and the candidate's specific expertise.

• Based on industry benchmarks for contract IT professionals in major US metropolitan areas, an estimated range for this role would be $75 - $110 per hour.

Benefits:

• As a contract position, benefits are typically provided through the contracting agency or are the responsibility of the individual contractor. Specific benefits may include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (potentially through a third-party provider or the client if converted to W2)

• Paid Time Off (potentially accrued or a set amount)

• Retirement Savings Plan options (e.g., 401k, if applicable through agency)

• Professional Development opportunities (e.g., training for Genero BDL, API technologies)

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• The role requires daily coordination with an offshore team, which may necessitate some flexibility in start/end times to overlap with global working hours.

• The on-site requirement implies a standard office-based work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for niche legacy skills like Informix 4GL can be quite high due to limited availability of qualified professionals. The upper end of the range would be for candidates with extensive experience and a proven track record in modernization projects. Benefits are contract-dependent, and candidates should clarify these details with VTekis Consulting LLP.

🎯 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 mid-sized to large consulting and staffing firm, given its operational scope across various hiring models and its global reach implied by managing offshore teams.

Founded: Information not provided, but the company's focus on comprehensive staffing solutions suggests an established presence in the market.

Team Structure:

• Small, Lean Team: The immediate team consists of one onsite resource (this role) and three offshore members.

• Reporting Structure: The onsite resource likely reports to a Project Manager, Technical Lead, or Account Manager within VTekis Consulting LLP, with direct collaboration and coordination expected with the offshore team.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: While the direct team is small, this role will likely interact with client-side stakeholders, IT departments, and potentially business units involved in Supply Chain, Sales, and E-commerce operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Staffing: VTekis emphasizes finding the "perfect fit" by aligning professionals with specific staffing needs, suggesting a methodical approach to candidate assessment and client matching.

• Process Optimization: The company's goal is to deliver quality professional services, implying a focus on efficient and effective recruitment and augmentation processes.

• Agile/Hybrid Approach: Given the need to bridge legacy and modern systems, and manage distributed teams, a hybrid approach incorporating elements of agile for new development and more structured processes for legacy maintenance is likely employed.

Company Website: [ VTekis Consulting LLP (though URL was not provided, it can be inferred as vtekis.com based on the email domain) ]

📝 Enhancement Note: VTekis operates within the IT staffing and consulting services sector. This role is a placement with one of their clients, meaning the candidate will experience the client's company culture, but VTekis will manage the contract and HR aspects. The emphasis on "perfect fit" suggests a quality-driven approach to talent placement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Intermediate to Senior Specialist. This role requires deep technical expertise in a niche area and the ability to lead technical efforts, including project coordination and problem-solving.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Project Manager or a senior IT leader within the client organization or VTekis. Direct day-to-day technical leadership and coordination responsibility for the offshore team.

Operations Impact: This role is critical for ensuring the continued operation and modernization of a core business system (Legacy ERP). Successful modernization and integration directly impact operational efficiency, data integrity, and the ability to leverage modern sales and e-commerce channels, thus having a significant impact on revenue generation and business continuity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in Informix 4GL, Genero BDL, and legacy system modernization strategies.

• Modern Integration Skills: Develop advanced skills in API development, integration patterns, and working with platforms like Salesforce, which are highly in-demand.

• Project Leadership: Potential to take on more formal project management or technical lead roles within future modernization initiatives.

• Cross-functional Experience: Gain exposure to Supply Chain, Sales, and E-commerce business processes, broadening understanding of business operations.

• Contract Extension/Permanent Conversion: Successful performance may lead to contract extensions or opportunities for permanent roles with the client.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the technical depth and leadership required offer significant opportunities for skill enhancement and career development, particularly in the high-demand area of legacy system modernization and integration.

🌐 Work Environment

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

Office Location(s): Illinois 43, Chicago, IL, USA. This implies a specific business park or office building location within the Chicago metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Requires close collaboration with the onsite team (if any) and daily coordination with the offshore team, likely utilizing communication tools like Slack, Teams, or Zoom.

• Technology & Tools: Access to a standard corporate IT environment, including development workstations, access to Informix databases, HP-UX servers, and necessary software for coding, testing, and communication.

• Operations Team Interaction: Interaction with IT operations, infrastructure teams, and potentially business analysts or product owners responsible for the ERP and integrated systems.

Work Schedule:

• Standard business hours (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM Central Time), but may require flexibility for daily coordination with offshore teams in different time zones.

• The contract nature means the schedule is likely fixed for the duration of the engagement, with potential for overtime if project demands require it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Chicago suggests a need for hands-on system interaction and direct collaboration, which is often crucial for troubleshooting complex legacy systems. The coordination with offshore teams implies a hybrid work model where remote communication tools are essential.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: likely with VTekis Consulting LLP to assess general fit, experience, and contract expectations.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth interviews focusing on Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL, SQL, Unix scripting, and API integration. Expect coding challenges or deep dives into past projects.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Questions designed to assess problem-solving abilities, handling of complex technical issues, and experience with performance tuning.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager or key stakeholders to assess communication skills, ability to work with distributed teams, and overall fit with the client's operational environment.

• Portfolio Review: A critical component where candidates will be asked to walk through their portfolio, detailing specific projects, their contributions, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Informix 4GL Expertise: Clearly showcase your most complex and impactful Informix 4GL projects, emphasizing your role and specific contributions.

• Demonstrate Modernization Efforts: If you have examples of migrating or integrating legacy systems, detail the process, technologies used (e.g., Genero BDL, APIs), and the business benefits realized.

• Showcase API Integration Skills: Present projects where you developed or integrated APIs, explaining the architecture, data flow, and impact on system interoperability.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced query execution time by 30%", "successfully integrated X system, enabling Y process").

• Prepare to Discuss Offshore Coordination: Be ready to explain how you effectively communicate, manage tasks, and collaborate with remote or offshore team members.

Challenge Preparation:

• Informix 4GL/SQL Coding Challenge: Practice writing efficient Informix 4GL code and complex SQL queries.

• Unix Shell Scripting Exercise: Prepare for tasks involving file manipulation, data parsing (Awk), and basic system automation using Korn shell.

• API Design/Integration Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing an API or integrating two systems, given specific requirements.

• Troubleshooting Scenario: Prepare to diagnose a hypothetical issue within an Informix database or a legacy application, outlining your step-by-step approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the specialized nature of the role, the portfolio review and technical interviews will be rigorous. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge but practical application of their skills, particularly in bridging legacy and modern technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Informix 4GL: The core development language for the legacy ERP.

• Genero BDL: A key target language for modernization efforts.

• SQL: Essential for database interaction and querying within IBM Informix.

• Unix Shell Scripting (Korn, Awk): For automation, data processing, and system administration on HP-UX.

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

Analytics & Reporting:

• set explain: A critical Informix tool for analyzing query execution plans and identifying performance bottlenecks.

• Custom Reporting Tools: May involve Informix reporting utilities or custom scripts to extract data for analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• API Integration (RESTful/SOAP): Tools and frameworks for building and consuming web services.

• Salesforce: As a target integration platform, familiarity with its API and integration patterns is beneficial.

• E-commerce Platforms: Integration with these would likely involve their respective APIs.

• Git/GitHub/GitLab: For version control and collaborative development workflows.

• EDI (810, 820): For electronic data interchange with trading partners.

• XML: For data structuring in integrations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is a blend of deep legacy expertise (Informix 4GL, HP-UX) and modern integration technologies (APIs, Genero BDL). Candidates must demonstrate proficiency across this spectrum, highlighting their ability to maintain the old while building for the new.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Reliability & Stability: Ensuring the continuous operation of critical legacy systems is paramount.

• Efficiency & Optimization: Driving improvements in system performance, code quality, and development processes.

• Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively with a distributed team and client stakeholders is essential for success.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying and resolving complex technical challenges.

• Adaptability: Willingness to work with both established legacy technologies and emerging integration platforms.

Collaboration Style:

• Daily Coordination: Requires proactive and frequent communication with the offshore team to manage tasks, resolve blockers, and ensure alignment.

• Cross-functional Engagement: Working closely with client IT and business teams to understand requirements and ensure solutions meet business needs.

• Knowledge Sharing: An environment where sharing technical insights and best practices is encouraged, especially between onsite and offshore resources.

• Process-Oriented: Adherence to established SLAs and documentation standards for incident management and system maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture for this role will be heavily influenced by the client's environment. However, the contract nature and the distributed team structure suggest a need for strong self-management, proactive communication, and a results-oriented approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

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

• Bridging Old and New: Effectively integrating a mission-critical legacy ERP with modern platforms like Salesforce requires careful design and robust error handling.

• Distributed Team Management: Coordinating a small team across different time zones and cultures requires strong communication and leadership skills.

• Limited Availability of Expertise: Finding and retaining talent with deep Informix 4GL and HP-UX skills can be challenging, making this role critical.

• Modernization Pace: Balancing the need for system stability with the imperative to modernize and integrate with newer technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Genero BDL Mastery: Deepen expertise in Genero BDL, a modern development environment for business applications.

• Advanced API and Integration Patterns: Gain hands-on experience with complex API integrations and modern middleware solutions.

• Cloud Integration: Potentially learn about integrating legacy systems with cloud-based platforms like Salesforce.

• Supply Chain & ERP Domain Knowledge: Enhance understanding of core business processes within Supply Chain management.

• Cross-Cultural Team Leadership: Develop skills in managing and collaborating with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of legacy and modern technology. The challenges are significant but offer substantial growth potential for those who can navigate them effectively.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex problem you solved involving Informix 4GL or HP-UX. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you approach migrating a critical Informix 4GL module to Genero BDL? What are the key considerations?"

• "Walk me through your experience building or integrating RESTful APIs. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you ensure effective communication and task management when working with an offshore development team?"

• "Describe your process for diagnosing and resolving performance issues in a large Informix database."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about VTekis Consulting LLP and the type of clients they serve?"

• "How do you adapt to working in a contract role with potentially changing project scopes?"

• "How do you handle conflicting priorities between maintaining a legacy system and implementing new integrations?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio item, clearly state the problem, your specific role and actions, the technologies used, the challenges, and the quantifiable results.

• Emphasize Informix 4GL & HP-UX: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your strongest Informix 4GL and HP-UX related projects.

• Detail API Integration Projects: Clearly explain the purpose, architecture, and impact of your API-related work.

• Demonstrate Modernization Thinking: Highlight any projects where you contributed to modernizing or integrating legacy systems.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate follow-up questions on specific code snippets, design choices, or troubleshooting steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh technical proficiency in Informix 4GL and HP-UX, alongside practical experience in API integration and managing distributed teams. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates accomplishments is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations technology position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with Informix 4GL, HP-UX, Genero BDL, SQL, Unix Shell Scripting, and API integration prominently. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Gather specific examples of Informix 4GL code, API integration projects, shell scripts, and any modernization efforts. Be ready to present and discuss these in detail.

• Research VTekis and Potential Client: Understand VTekis's business model and try to infer the client's industry (likely manufacturing, distribution, or retail given the Supply Chain focus) to tailor your responses.

• Practice Technical Scenarios: Review common Informix, HP-UX, and API integration interview questions and practice explaining your problem-solving approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with VTekis Consulting LLP or the hiring organization before making application decisions. This is a contract role, and specific terms, benefits, and duration should be clarified during the application process.