Software Architect Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description Software Architect Contract for Hire No Sponsorship Available No 3rd Parties Please ESP is seeking an experienced Software Architect to lead the modernization of an established enterprise technology environment that combines legacy applications with modern Microsoft-based technologies. This is a hands-on architecture / lead developer position for an experienced technologist who can operate comfortably across legacy and modern environments. The ideal candidate will be capable of understanding undocumented systems, maintaining critical production applications, leading a small development team, and architecting a phased transition from legacy platforms to modern web and application technologies.

The Software Architect will serve as the primary technical decision-maker across supported platforms. Key Responsibilities: Architecture & Technical Leadership Serve as the primary technical architect and decision-maker across legacy and modern application environments. Assess current-state architecture, applications, infrastructure, integrations, data flows, and system dependencies.

Define target-state architecture, technology strategy, infrastructure requirements, and integration patterns. Evaluate technology options and make well-reasoned recommendations to technical and business stakeholders. Establish development, architecture, integration, security, and operational standards.

Conduct code reviews, architecture reviews, and technical design reviews. Mentor developers and promote strong engineering and documentation practices. Leverage AI-assisted coding and documentation tools to improve development productivity, code quality, and technical knowledge retention.

Modern Application Development Design, develop, maintain, and support applications using C#, C++, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET Core. Develop and integrate web applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Design and implement RESTful APIs and service integrations

Support applications hosted in Microsoft IIS, including deployment, configuration, troubleshooting, and performance optimization. Develop and maintain Microsoft SQL Server databases, including schemas, stored procedures, queries, data transformations, and ETL processes. Perform database performance tuning, troubleshooting, and data integrity management.

Platform Modernization Lead the strategy and execution of modernization initiatives involving legacy and web-based applications. Analyze existing systems and define equivalent functionality and business behavior for modern implementations. Develop target-state architecture and recommend appropriate platforms, frameworks, databases, and integration technologies.

Develop phased migration strategies that minimize operational disruption and maintain business continuity. Lead or participate directly in re-platforming and re-engineering legacy web applications. Design and oversee data migration, schema translation, ETL, reconciliation, and validation processes.

Document legacy system behavior sufficiently to ensure accurate re-implementation on modern platforms. Develop migration roadmaps, cutover plans, rollback procedures, and post-migration stabilization strategies. Balance modernization priorities with the need to sustain existing production systems.

Team Leadership Assign work, establish priorities, and balance resources across sustainment and modernization initiatives. Serve as the technical bridge between legacy and modern development teams. Translate business and technical requirements across disciplines.

Resolve technical conflicts and establish common architectural direction. Mentor team members and help develop technical capabilities across both technology domains. Manage workload and responsibilities as applications transition from legacy platforms to modern technologies.

Required Qualifications 8+ years of experience working with enterprise software, applications, systems integration, or technology architecture. Demonstrated experience working across both legacy and modern technology environments. One or more years of experience in applying AI to practical and comprehensive technology solutions.

Strong software architecture and application development background. Experience with C# and/or C++ development. Strong experience with ASP.NET and/or ASP.NET Core

Experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in web application environments. Strong Microsoft SQL Server experience, including database design, stored procedures, query optimization, and ETL. Experience with IIS-hosted applications and Windows Server environments.

Experience integrating applications through REST, SOAP, ODBC, file-based interfaces, or similar technologies. Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to legacy platform modernization and migration initiatives. Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring developers, and conducting architecture/code reviews.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.