DescriptionThe Opportunity We have a stable, revenue-generating ERP platform built on ProvideX (a Business BASIC derivative) that serves a loyal customer base. We are not looking to rebuild it from scratch. We need a senior architect who understands how legacy business logic systems work, can map the existing architecture, and build a modern API layer on top of it so we can connect AI capabilities, third-party integrations, and new product experiences to the data and workflows that already exist. This is a "wrap, don’t replace" strategy. The right person will see the ProvideX codebase not as technical debt, but as encoded business logic worth preserving and exposing through modern interfaces.What You’ll Do Legacy Architecture Mapping & API StrategyReverse-engineer and document the ProvideX ERP architecture: data models, keyed file structures, business rules, and process flowsDesign and build a RESTful (or GraphQL) API layer that exposes core ERP functions and data to modern consumers without rewriting the underlying systemDefine the integration architecture that allows AI tools, third-party platforms, and new front-end experiences to read from and write to the ERP safelyEstablish a service boundary map: what stays in ProvideX, what gets abstracted, and what eventually migratesAI Enablement Through Data AccessMake ERP data accessible and usable for AI/ML workflows by building clean data pipelines from legacy file structures to modern data storesPartner with product and leadership to identify the highest-value AI use cases that depend on ERP data (predictive analytics, workflow automation, intelligent recommendations)Evaluate and recommend AI tools and platforms that can plug into the API layer you buildEnsure data governance, security, and compliance as legacy data becomes more broadly accessiblePlatform Stability & Incremental ModernizationOwn the reliability and performance of the ERP platform throughout the modernization process; nothing breaks for existing customersLead incident response and root-cause analysis for production issuesEstablish pragmatic engineering standards that acknowledge the reality of a legacy codebase while moving it forwardPrioritize modernization efforts based on business impact, not technical eleganceTeam & Stakeholder LeadershipLead and grow the ERP engineering team, building API and integration capabilities alongside legacy maintenance skillsAct as the senior technical voice connecting engineering, product, support, and executive leadershipTranslate complex technical realities ("this is ProvideX, here’s what that means for your timeline") into language that non-technical stakeholders can act onMentor engineers who may be new to legacy systems, helping them see architectural patterns rather than just old codeInfrastructure & CloudOwn the Azure environment hosting the ERP platformDrive infrastructure automation, disaster recovery, and operational hygieneSupport the longer-term cloud and SaaS evolution strategy as the API layer maturesWhat We’re Looking For Must HaveDeep experience with legacy business logic languages: ProvideX, Business BASIC (BBx/BBj), Pick/MultiValue BASIC, RPG, or COBOL. You need to be able to read procedural, record-oriented code and understand the business rules it encodes.Proven track record of building API layers on top of legacy systems without full rewrites. You’ve done the "wrap and expose" pattern before.Senior engineering leadership experience overseeing mission-critical enterprise systems where downtime means lost revenue.Strong understanding of keyed file structures, flat-file databases, and how legacy data models differ from modern relational or document stores.Cloud infrastructure experience, preferably Microsoft Azure.Ability to communicate technical constraints and trade-offs to non-technical leadership clearly and without jargon.Strong AdvantagesHands-on experience with ProvideX specifically, or with Sage or SAP Business One ERP systems built on itExperience designing data pipelines that make legacy data consumable by AI/ML toolsFamiliarity with AI/ML integration patterns (you don’t need to build models, but you need to understand what they need from a data and API perspective)Background in ERP environments within vertical SaaS or software portfolio companiesExperience with Python as a bridge language between legacy and modern systemsWhat Success Looks Like First 90 Days: Understand and StabilizeComplete architecture map of the ProvideX ERP: data structures, key business logic paths, integration points, and technical debt hot spotsDocumented assessment of current system reliability with a prioritized stabilization planRelationship-building with the engineering team, product, support, and leadership; you understand the people as well as the codeMonths 4 through 6: Build the BridgeFirst API endpoints live in production, exposing high-value ERP data or functions to at least one modern consumer (internal tool, integration, or AI workflow)A defined and actively executing modernization roadmap that leadership, product, and engineering all align onMeasurable improvement in system reliability and engineering execution cadenceMonths 6 through 12: Scale and EnableAPI layer mature enough to support multiple consumers: AI capabilities, third-party integrations, and new product featuresAt least one AI-enabled capability in production that delivers measurable business impact (revenue growth, cost reduction, or efficiency gain) built on the data and APIs you createdA credible, market-aligned architecture vision for the platform’s next phase that does not require burning the existing system to the groundImproved customer satisfaction driven by platform stability and new capabilitiesWhy This Role Matters Most companies with legacy ERP systems face a false choice: maintain forever or rebuild from scratch. We are choosing a third path. We want someone who can bridge decades of encoded business logic to the modern AI-enabled product landscape without losing what works. If you’re the kind of engineer who sees a ProvideX codebase and thinks "I can map this and open it up" rather than "burn it down," this role was designed for you.#DemandBridge#J-18808-Ljbffr