Application Modernization Specialist, ACORN Modernization

Senior Java Modernization Developer (Contract, Hybrid, Toronto)

A large Toronto university needs a hands-on senior Java developer to review its 15-year-old, high-traffic student portal, find what’s slowing it down, and build a practical plan to modernize it. Up to 6 months, hybrid, with possible extension.

What you’ll do

• Review the Java back end and the Angular / AngularJS front end, including the Java services that connect it to the core student records system
• Trace key transactions from the portal through its APIs and Db2 database to find bottlenecks
• Find and fix performance problems using profiling and load testing
• Plan the upgrade from Java 8 and AngularJS to current versions
• Design how to break out the first services from the existing app
• Build a small prototype and measure the results
• Coach the internal development team as you go

What you’ll deliver

1. A code review of the Java and Angular / AngularJS code, with each problem ranked by severity and a prioritized fix plan
2. A map of how key transactions flow through the system, including database and API calls and where business rules live
3. A performance report with measured transaction times and profiling results, separating proven findings from theories
4. Upgrade options for Java 8 and AngularJS, with a recommended order and how old and new can run side by side
5. Detailed designs for selected modules or services: interfaces, data access, error handling, testing and deployment
6. Repeatable load tests using realistic student data and transaction mixes, with baseline and target results
7. A working prototype or controlled refactoring test (where access allows), with documented results
8. Ready-to-build work packages with effort estimates, dependencies, acceptance criteria and risks
9. Hands-on knowledge transfer: editable documents, scripts, code samples and walkthroughs for the internal team

Must haves

• 8+ years of professional Java development
• 3+ projects upgrading old Java apps (Java 8 or older) to a current version
• 2+ AngularJS to Angular migrations in production, including running both side by side during the switch
• Code reviews of very large systems (500,000+ lines) with a prioritized fix plan
• Breaking services out of a large existing app while it stays live
• Speeding up high-traffic apps: removing repeated calls, fixing slow queries, adding caching
• Diagnosing live production problems with profiling, tracing, memory and thread analysis, SQL query plans and load tests, with measurable results
• Spring / Spring Boot, JPA / Hibernate, and older tech such as EJB, JSP or Struts
• REST services in Java (JAX-RS), Maven and Gradle
• Db2 or a similar database, including business logic stored in the database
• Code quality, security scanning and test coverage tools (e.g., SonarQube)
• Java profiling tools (e.g., Java Flight Recorder, YourKit) and load testing tools
• REST API design, Docker and Kubernetes, CI/CD, automated testing
• Secure coding (OWASP Top 10) in Java and Angular
• Experience working alongside in-house developers and teaching through pairing, code reviews or workshops
• Ability to explain technical issues in plain business terms and back recommendations with data
• Bachelor’s in computer science or software engineering, or equivalent experience

Nice to haves

• Db2 specifically, and IBM integration or application tools
• Spring Boot upgrades and building microservices
• Java apps on Microsoft Azure
• Student, registration or payment systems
• Accessibility (AODA / WCAG 2.x) on front-end screens
• Coaching teams on Docker and test automation
• Oracle Java SE, Spring Professional or secure coding certification