Senior PowerBuilder Developer

Oliver James Group; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver James Group in Brussels is seeking a Senior PowerBuilder Developer to lead hands-on development and production support while guiding modernization of a critical client/server application toward Java and Angular.

You will analyse components like PowerBuilder DataWindows and DataStores, translate business rules into technical specs, and collaborate with Java/Angular teams on REST API contracts. Strong English and Dutch or French preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years hands-on PowerBuilder development.
• Strong PowerBuilder 8-2022 / Appeon experience.
• Strong SQL/PL-SQL and data access knowledge.
• Experience with REST APIs, Java/Spring Boot and Angular is a plus.
• Fluent English; Dutch or French preferred.

Responsibilities

• Resolve complex PowerBuilder issues and share production maintenance duties.
• Analyse components and dependencies including PBLs, PowerScript, PFC, DataWindows and DataStores.
• Identify business rules and separate functional requirements from interface logic.
• Decouple business logic from GUI controls and database access (embedded SQL, dynamic SQL, stored procedures).
• Translate existing behaviour into clear functional and technical specifications.
• Collaborate with Java/Angular developers on REST API contracts and validate regression coverage.
• Build shared technical documentation and mentor colleagues; use static analysis and AI-assisted tools to maintain traceability between code and specifications.

Skills

PowerBuilder development

PowerScript

PFC

DataWindows

DataStores

REST APIs

Java/Spring Boot

Angular

Analytical thinking

Documentation & stakeholder comms

Tools

Appeon PowerBuilder

SQL

Job description

Senior PowerBuilder Developer

Technical leadership and application modernisation

Brussels * Hybrid * 3 days on site per week

Contract options: permanent, fixed-term or freelance | Start: as soon as possible

About the role

Help shape the next chapter of a business-critical application. You will combine hands-on PowerBuilder development and production support with technical leadership, preparing an established client/server platform for a progressive transition to Java and Angular.

The role connects existing application knowledge with future development: understanding how the system works, making its business rules explicit and helping developers carry them into the new platform.

Your responsibilities

• Resolve complex PowerBuilder issues and share production maintenance duties, following agreed support and documentation practices.
• Analyse application components and dependencies, including PBLs, PowerScript, PFC, DataWindows and DataStores.
• Identify business rules, edge cases and redundant behaviour; separate functional requirements from interface logic and historical workarounds.
• Decouple business logic from GUI controls and database access, including embedded SQL, dynamic SQL and stored procedures.
• Work with analysts and business specialists to translate existing behaviour into clear functional and technical specifications.
• Collaborate with Java/Angular developers on REST API contracts and validate regression coverage through characterisation and Golden Master tests.
• Build shared technical documentation, mentor colleagues and use static analysis and AI-assisted tools to maintain traceability between code and specifications.

What you bring

• At least 5 years of hands-on PowerBuilder development, with strong expertise in the PowerBuilder 8-2022 / Appeon environment.
• Advanced PowerScript and PFC knowledge: events, functions, structures, transaction handling (SQLCA, COMMIT, ROLLBACK), complex DataWindows (Composite, Group, Nested), expressions (Describe, Modify, Evaluate) and DataStores.
• Strong relational database and SQL skills, including transactional SQL, PL/SQL stored procedures and query optimisation.
• Understanding of stateless REST APIs, microservices, Spring Boot, Angular and JSON DTOs. Practical Java/Spring Boot and/or Angular experience, or a strong aptitude and willingness to develop these skills.
• An analytical approach, clear documentation for non-PowerBuilder developers and confident communication with business stakeholders, management and technical teams.
• French or Dutch, together with professional fluency in English.

Why consider this role

A hands-on technical lead opportunity combining production continuity, knowledge sharing and modernisation. Contribute to team development while building on your PowerBuilder expertise and expanding your involvement in Java and Angular.