At a Glance
- Tasks: Dive deep into legacy systems, document them, and prepare for future migrations.
- Company: Join MadeByAI, a forward-thinking company transforming business systems with AI.
- Benefits: Flexible contract work, hybrid options, and the chance to shape future tech.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for impactful contributions.
- Why this job: Be a key player in understanding and modernising critical business systems.
- Qualifications: Experience with legacy systems, strong analytical skills, and a passion for tech.
Legacy Systems Discovery & Migration Readiness Contract / Freelance (Initial 5–15 day engagement) Hybrid / On-site required initially (North West England)
MadeByAI is seeking an experienced technical contractor to support the discovery, interrogation and documentation of a complex legacy business systems environment as part of a wider AI and systems transformation programme. This is not a typical software development role.
The environment includes:
- Microsoft Access applications
- VBA / Visual Basic logic
- ASP.NET applications
- ERP-linked systems
- Synchronised local and central databases
- Stored procedures and transactional business logic
- Complex relational database structures
- Long-standing operational processes and data dependencies
The immediate objective is not to rewrite systems, but to:
- Understand them properly
- Document them accurately
- Identify dependencies and risks
- Prepare the environment for future migration, consolidation or redevelopment
The type of person we need:
- Someone who enjoys understanding how older systems really work — not someone who only operates in greenfield environments.
- You would suit this role if you:
- Enjoy understanding how older systems really work
- Can independently interrogate databases and workflows
- Understand why long-lived systems often contain important business logic
- Are comfortable working without perfect documentation
- Have strong analytical instincts
- Can distinguish between “legacy because old” and “legacy because mission‑critical”
Key responsibilities:
- Review and interrogate existing databases and systems
- Analyse relational database schemas and dependencies
- Understand data flows, synchronisation and locking mechanisms
- Review stored procedures, views and business logic
- Identify manual workarounds and operational dependencies
- Document systems to migration‑ready level
- Support assessment of migration and redevelopment options
- Work with operational stakeholders to extract undocumented knowledge
- Help identify risks, duplication and architectural constraints
Essential technical skills:
You should have strong practical experience with several of the following:
- Core technologies
- Complex schemas and data relationships
- Reverse-engineering undocumented systems
- Technical documentation
- Workflow and dependency mapping
- Understanding operational business processes through data structures
Highly desirable experience:
- Experience with long-running business‑critical systems
- Financial, ERP, invoicing or operational systems experience
- Understanding of synchronisation architectures
- Experience migrating or modernising Access/SQL‑based systems
- Familiarity with audit‑sensitive or highly controlled environments
- Experience working with organisations in regulated sectors
Security & compliance awareness:
- NCSC Cloud Security Principles
- Security considerations for defence or sensitive‑sector clients
Duration:
This role is as much about technical judgement and systems thinking as it is about coding or development. The successful contractor will need to be capable of understanding not just what systems do, but why they evolved the way they did — and what risks exist if that logic is misunderstood during migration or redevelopment.
Contract Technical Consultant — Legacy Systems Discovery & Migration Readiness employer: MadeByAI
MadeByAI is an exceptional employer that values the expertise of its contractors, offering a unique opportunity to engage with complex legacy systems in a collaborative and innovative environment. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide a supportive work culture that encourages independent thinking and problem-solving, all while being located in the vibrant North West England region. Our commitment to meaningful projects ensures that you will be part of a transformative journey, making a real impact in the world of AI and systems migration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Technical Consultant — Legacy Systems Discovery & Migration Readiness
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience with legacy systems. They might know of opportunities or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Be ready to discuss your experience with complex schemas and data relationships. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your expertise in legacy systems. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application better!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Technical Consultant — Legacy Systems Discovery & Migration Readiness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with legacy systems and technical documentation. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges in the past, so don’t hold back on those details!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about working with older systems and how your analytical skills can help us understand and document them better.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, focus on your hands-on experience with complex schemas and data relationships. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we see that expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at MadeByAI
✨Know Your Legacy Systems
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of legacy systems, especially those similar to what MadeByAI is working with. Be ready to discuss how you’ve previously navigated complex environments and the specific challenges you faced.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your analytical instincts. Think about times when you had to reverse-engineer undocumented systems or identify dependencies in complex databases. Highlight your thought process and the outcomes of your analyses.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Documentation Practices
Since documentation is key for this role, be prepared to talk about your experience with technical documentation. Bring examples of how you've documented systems to a migration-ready level and any tools or methods you used.
✨Engage with Operational Stakeholders
Show that you understand the importance of collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with operational stakeholders in the past to extract undocumented knowledge and how you approached those conversations.
