Software Developer

We are seeking a hands-on Software Developer to join a small, established in-house development team.

The successful candidate will work closely with a senior developer to maintain, support and enhance a long-established business-critical application built primarily using C#, VB.NET and Microsoft SQL Server.

This role is particularly suited to a developer who enjoys understanding existing systems, troubleshooting complex problems and improving applications incrementally rather than working exclusively on greenfield development.

A significant part of the position involves working within an established codebase, resolving defects, improving system reliability and developing new functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing business processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and support an existing Windows-based business application.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve defects within C# and VB.NET applications.
• Develop and enhance functionality within the existing application architecture.
• Write, modify and optimise Microsoft SQL Server queries.
• Develop and maintain stored procedures, views and other database objects.
• Investigate user-reported system issues and provide effective resolutions.
• Assist with testing and deployment of application updates.
• Refactor and improve legacy code where appropriate while protecting system stability.
• Identify opportunities to improve application reliability, performance and maintainability.
• Document technical changes and contribute to internal knowledge sharing.
• Work closely with the senior developer to understand business processes and translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Participate in discussions relating to future system improvements and potential modernisation initiatives.
• Support ongoing maintenance and development of the existing codebase.

Required Skills and Experience

Candidates should have:

• 3+ years' software development experience preferred.
• Solid development experience using C# (.NET Framework / .NET).
• Working knowledge of VB.NET, including the ability to read, understand and maintain existing VB.NET code.
• Strong experience working with Microsoft SQL Server.
• Good understanding of:
• Stored procedures
• SQL views
• Joins
• Query optimisation
• Transactions
• Data integrity
• Experience maintaining, supporting or extending existing or legacy applications.
• Experience troubleshooting and debugging complex software issues.
• Familiarity with source control systems such as Git or similar.

Candidates with particularly strong C# and SQL Server skills who are comfortable learning and maintaining existing VB.NET code are also encouraged to apply.

Advantageous Experience

The following would be beneficial:

• Experience developing or supporting Windows desktop applications, including WinForms or WPF.
• Experience within manufacturing, logistics, ERP or operational business environments.
• Exposure to reporting tools and reporting solutions.
• Experience with application modernisation or migration projects.
• Basic understanding of networking, application deployment and related infrastructure processes.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Patient and methodical when working with established or older codebases.
• A strong analytical thinker and practical problem solver.
• Comfortable investigating problems in systems they did not originally build.
• Able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Curious and willing to learn an established business application in depth.
• Able to work independently while collaborating closely with a senior developer.
• Responsible and dependable, with a strong sense of ownership.
• Comfortable following tasks through from investigation to implementation and resolution.
• Focused on maintaining system stability while introducing improvements.

What You Will Be Working On

The application supports important day-to-day business operations and has evolved over a number of years.

The role therefore requires someone who understands that successful development is not simply about writing new code. A major part of the position involves understanding how the existing system and business processes work, protecting business continuity and introducing improvements in a controlled and sustainable manner.

Typical areas of work will include:

• Bug fixing and application support
• New feature development
• Database enhancements
• SQL optimisation
• Performance improvements
• User-requested system changes
• Code maintenance and refactoring
• Application stability improvements
• Ongoing support of the existing legacy codebase
• Participation in longer-term modernisation initiatives

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 6–12 months, the successful candidate should be able to:

• Navigate and work confidently within the existing codebase.
• Understand the key business processes supported by the application.
• Resolve most day-to-day application support issues independently.
• Implement new functionality with limited supervision.
• Safely make changes without negatively affecting existing business processes.
• Contribute practical ideas for improving system stability, performance and maintainability.
• Become a trusted technical partner to the senior developer and wider business.

Ideal Candidate

This opportunity will suit a mid-level developer who enjoys practical software development and problem-solving.

It is particularly well suited to someone who is comfortable working with established systems and understands the value of maintaining and progressively improving software that plays a critical role in daily business operations.

If you have strong C#, SQL Server and debugging skills, and are comfortable working with or learning VB.NET, we would like to hear from you.