Senior PowerBuilder Developer

OptiSol Business Solutions; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,400,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

OptiSol Business Solutions seeks a hands-on PowerBuilder expert to lead modernization of legacy applications. You will assess legacy systems, define roadmaps, and drive delivery worksstreams to modern architectures (.NET/Java/web) while mentoring teams.

Key focus areas include DataWindows, PowerScript, and cross-database migrations (Sybase to SQL Server/Oracle). Strong English communication and documentation are required.

Qualifications

• Hands-on PowerBuilder development experience (PB 9/10/11/12.x and 2019+).
• Experience with PB framework code (PFC or in-house).
• Strong PowerScript skills: DataWindows, inheritance, events, functions.
• At least one modernization/migration project to .NET/Java/web.
• Knowledge of two of: Sybase ASE, SQL Server, Oracle.
• Experience leading a modernization workstream and delivering in agile setups.
• Proficient English communication; ability to document clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead legacy PowerBuilder assessment, complexity/effort analysis, and migration roadmaps.
• Own and drive a major workstream from assessment to delivery.
• Develop and re-engineer PowerBuilder apps including DataWindows and user objects.
• Decompose monoliths into services aligned with target architecture (.NET/Java/web).
• Lead cross-database migrations and data migration tasks.
• Write and optimize complex SQL, stored procedures, and indexing.
• Mentor developers, conduct code reviews, and liaise with clients.
• Produce technical documentation for delivery teams and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate using Git and defect/task tracking in an Agile environment.

Skills

PowerBuilder

PowerScript

DataWindows

Migration

SQL Tuning

Git

English communication

Tools

Sybase ASE

SQL Server

Oracle

NET/Java

REST API basics

Job description

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.