Vaco is partnering with a privately held software company that builds mission-critical platforms for building materials distributors across North America. This organization supports customers ranging from single-location operators to large enterprise chains and is continuing to scale following recent expansion.
The engineering environment includes multiple agile teams working across a shared platform, with a strong emphasis on reliability, performance, and long-term maintainability. This role is a senior, hands-on individual contributor focused on core platform services, requiring deep expertise in Progress OpenEdge and ABL. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys solving complex backend challenges, improving legacy systems, and contributing to architectural direction while still writing code daily.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Design and build core platform services, shared frameworks, and backend components that support multiple product teams
- Develop and maintain systems using Progress OpenEdge (versions 10–12) and ABL, with occasional interaction with legacy environments
- Architect APIs, data flows, and service integrations that support distributed applications
- Establish and enforce standards for system reliability, performance, monitoring, and security
- Evaluate existing systems, identify technical debt, and lead efforts to modernize and improve platform stability
- Collaborate with product, systems engineering, and development teams to ensure seamless system integration
- Review code and technical designs, providing guidance on architecture and scalability
- Troubleshoot production issues, perform root cause analysis, and resolve performance bottlenecks
- Mentor engineers and contribute to technical direction across teams
Required Experience
- 7+ years of software engineering experience with a strong backend (API and database layer) focus
- Deep hands-on experience with Progress OpenEdge and ABL development
- Experience working with Progress PAS, Tomcat, and REST-based architectures
- Strong understanding of distributed systems and backend service design
- Experience working with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
- Proven ability to analyze and resolve complex system and performance issues
- Experience contributing to architectural decisions and engineering standards
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams
Nice to Have
- Experience with Progress database administration
- Exposure to legacy system modernization efforts
- Experience in SaaS or enterprise software environments
- Background supporting supply chain, distribution, or operational systems
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Full-time role with benefits package available
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.