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Application Modernization Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Java Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52.50 - $68/hr

... Application modernization, migration and development on PaaS platforms. 8+ years experience in enterprise software development Excellent communication skills, both written and oral are required ...

Java Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52.50 - $68/hr

... Application modernization, migration and development on PaaS platforms. 8+ years experience in enterprise software development Excellent communication skills, both written and oral are required ...

Experience leading application modernization or technical debt reduction initiatives. * Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, agentic AI concepts, and AI-enabled business solutions.

Responsibilities : • Lead application modernization initiatives, including migration from legacy .NET Framework to modern .NET (.NET Core / latest LTS) • Drive architectural design for scalable ...

Experience working across multiple solution types (application modernization, headless CMS, composable commerce, etc.). * PMP, CSM, or equivalent certification. * Experience with Jira/Confluence or ...

Enterprise Systems Architect

Itasca, IL · On-site

$115K - $175K/yr

Experience leading application modernization or technical debt reduction initiatives. * Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, agentic AI concepts, and AI-enabled business solutions.

Showing results 41-60

Application Modernization information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$17

$54

$87

How much do application modernization jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for application modernization in Chicago, IL is $54.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.61 and $62.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is application modernization?

Application modernization refers to the process of updating and transforming legacy software applications to make them more efficient, secure, and compatible with modern technologies. This often involves moving applications to the cloud, refactoring code, or integrating with new architectures like microservices. The goal is to improve performance, reduce operational costs, and enable faster innovation. Modernization helps organizations stay competitive by ensuring their IT systems can support current and future business needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in application modernization?

To thrive in Application Modernization, you need expertise in legacy and cloud-native architectures, software development, and system integration, often supported by a background in computer science or IT. Familiarity with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Azure/AWS, and modernization frameworks, as well as certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Azure certifications, is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication are essential soft skills to manage complex transformation projects and collaborate across teams. These skills ensure that legacy systems are efficiently upgraded to meet modern business needs while minimizing disruption and maximizing value.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in application modernization projects?

Professionals working in Application Modernization often encounter challenges such as integrating legacy systems with new technologies, managing data migration without disrupting business operations, and ensuring security compliance throughout the modernization process. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including developers, business analysts, and IT security—is crucial to address these complexities. Additionally, keeping up with rapidly evolving cloud platforms and tools requires continuous learning and adaptability.

What is the difference between Application Modernization vs Software Engineer?

AspectApplication ModernizationSoftware Engineer
Primary FocusUpdating and transforming existing applications to modern platforms and architecturesDesigning, developing, and maintaining software applications from scratch or existing codebases
Required SkillsCloud platforms, legacy systems, system integration, migration strategiesProgramming languages, software development lifecycle, coding, debugging
Work EnvironmentIT departments, consulting firms, project-based teamsDevelopment teams, tech companies, startups
CertificationsCloud certifications (AWS, Azure), system architectureProgramming certifications, specific language expertise

Application Modernization focuses on updating existing applications to improve performance, security, and scalability, often involving migration to cloud platforms. Software Engineers primarily develop new software solutions or enhance existing codebases. While both roles require technical skills, their objectives and daily tasks differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Application Modernization jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Application Modernization jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Application Modernization jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Application Modernization jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Application Modernization jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Application Modernization job openings:

Senior Azure AI Platform Engineer

Strategic Employment

Park Ridge, IL • Hybrid

$130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Senior Azure AI Platform Engineer

Location: Chicagoland or Dallas, TX – hybrid (3 days onsite)

Salary: Up to ~$130K

We're partnering with a rapidly growing, private equity–backed technology company undergoing a major cloud and AI transformation. They're modernizing a legacy .NET platform into Azure and embedding AI capabilities directly into core business applications.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who has already built and shipped AI-enabled features in production and is excited to help scale that capability across an enterprise platform.

What you'll do

  • Build and integrate AI-powered capabilities into a .NET application stack
  • Develop backend services and APIs using C#/.NET
  • Design and implement cloud-native components and microservices in Azure
  • Integrate Azure AI / OpenAI (or similar cloud AI services) into real-world workflows
  • Partner with product and business teams to translate AI ideas into production-ready solutions
  • Help establish patterns and best practices for scalable, secure AI adoption

Preferred Experience

  • 6+ years of software engineering experience
  • Strong hands-on experience with C# and .NET
  • Experience building or integrating AI/ML solutions in production environments
  • Cloud experience (Azure preferred; AWS/GCP acceptable)
  • Strong experience with REST APIs and modern backend architecture
  • Comfortable working in a hybrid environment (3 days onsite weekly)

Nice to have

  • Azure AI services (Azure OpenAI, Semantic Kernel, etc.)
  • Microservices architecture and application modernization experience
  • Frontend exposure (React, Angular, or similar)
  • Experience with Terraform, Kubernetes, or CI/CD pipelines

Strategic Employment Partners logo

About Strategic Employment Partners

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Strategic Employment Partners (SEP) was founded in 2007, serving companies in the Greater Los Angeles area by providing Technology Recruiting and Placement Services. With the combined experience of our seasoned professionals, SEP quickly began to build strong partnerships and provide curated talent for some of the largest and fastest growing companies in Los Angeles. Since then, SEP has expanded its operations and currently has eight divisions nationwide.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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