Delphi - .Net Developer

Title: Delphi - .Net Developer

Location: Houston, Texas

Type: Contract

Hourly Rate: Depends on Experience

Summary:

The Delphi Developer will lead a critical technology transformation

initiative. This role requires a unique blend of deep legacy system expertise and modern

cloud architecture skills to guide through a comprehensive modernization journey.

You will lead the technical evolution from established Delphi 6/Firebird 2.59 client-server architecture to a modern Azure-based web application platform, while ensuring continuous stability and support. This is a rare opportunity to bridge two technology eras, leading both legacy system optimization and cutting-edge cloud development.

Duties:

- Stabilize and optimize the current client-server environment, ensuring reliability during the transition period

- Mentor team members in Delphi development best practices and legacy system architecture

- Troubleshoot and resolve critical production issues in the legacy codebase

- Evaluate and implement incremental improvements to the existing system without disrupting operations

- Document legacy system architecture and business logic to facilitate knowledge transfer and migration planning

- Spearhead the design, development, and deployment of modern web applications on Microsoft Azure, leveraging cloud-native technologies

- Define and implement comprehensive migration strategies from Delphi/Firebird to

Azure/.NET, ensuring data integrity, security, and zero-downtime transitions

- Lead the architectural transformation from client-server to modern web-based, multi-tier architecture

- Develop modern applications using C#, .NET Framework/Core, ASP.NET, and contemporary web frameworks

- Implement cloud-native services including Azure App Services, Azure Functions, AKS, and Azure DevOps

- Design and build RESTful APIs and microservices to replace monolithic legacy components

- Ensure seamless integration between legacy systems and new Azure-based applications

during the transition period

- Lead a cross-functional Agile team (POD-based), fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement aligned with SAFe 6.0 principles

- Mentor and coach engineers across both legacy and modern technology stacks, promoting best practices in software development, architecture, and DevOps

- Facilitate Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and PI planning

- Own and drive quality and speed of software delivery, setting and enforcing standards for code quality, testing, and release velocity

- Define and enforce rigorous peer/code review processes, providing actionable feedback

elevate team practices

- Serve as the technical authority and primary escalation point for complex technical decisions across both legacy and modern platforms

- Oversee the maintenance, optimization, and modernization of existing technology stack

while introducing modern frameworks and tools

- Evaluate and integrate modern technologies including Marten, Wolverine FX, Postgres, Entity Framework, and LINQ

- Identify opportunities to refactor legacy systems, improve technical debt, and enhance

system performance

- Champion DevOps automation, integrating automated quality and security checks into CI/CD pipelines

- Implement infrastructure as code using Terraform or Bicep for Azure resources

- Design and implement containerization strategies using Docker and Kubernetes where appropriate

- Partner with leadership to define the technical roadmap for the software platform transformation

- Translate business requirements into technical solutions that work across both legacy and modern environments

- Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, ensuring alignment across departments

- Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and processes to drive efficiency and innovation

- Ensure adherence to security, compliance, and quality standards across all software development activities

- Represent the team in cross-departmental initiatives and program-level ceremonies

Requirements:

- 10 years of software engineering experience, with at least 3-5 years in senior or lead roles

- Proven experience with Delphi (Delphi 6 or similar versions) and legacy client-server application

development

- Recent hands-on experience (3 years) with modern .NET development (C#, .NET

Framework, .NET Core)

- Extensive experience with Microsoft Azure, including cloud-native application development, microservices, and DevOps practices

- Demonstrated success in modernizing legacy systems and leading technology migration projects

- Experience mentoring and coaching engineers to foster technical growth and collaboration

- Project management experience leading complex, multi-phase development initiatives

Technical Skills

- Delphi (Delphi 6 preferred, other versions acceptable)

- Firebird or similar embedded/client-server databases

- Client-Server and Multi-tier architecture

- WinForms application development

- C#, .NET Framework, .NET Core/5

- ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, Web APIs

- Entity Framework, LINQ

- Microsoft Azure services (Azure App Services, Azure Functions, AKS, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure DevOps)

- Modern web frameworks (React, Angular, or Vue.js)

- RESTful API design and development (REST, GraphQL)

- SQL Server, Postgres, and modern database technologies

- CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep)

- Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)3

- Git version control system

- IIS and modern web server configurations

Additional Skills:

- Visual Studio (2012-2022 )

- DevExpress UI Controls or similar component libraries

- XML, JSON, and data interchange formats

- Agile/SAFe methodologies

- Event sourcing patterns (Wolverine, EventStoreDB, Kafka) - preferred

Legacy Expertise: Deep understanding of Delphi (particularly Delphi 6) and client-server architectures

- Modern Mastery: Current hands-on experience with .NET, C#, Azure, and modern web application

development

- Dual Leadership: Simultaneously directing legacy system maintenance and new platform development