Product Owner - Platform Modernization / Application Discovery (Denver)

Product Owner - Platform Modernization / Application DiscoveryCentral Denver, CO (Hybrid--3 days)Duration: initial 6-month contract (C2H)Pay: $65-75/hrWe are seeking a highly technical Product Owner to lead discovery, documentation, and modernization efforts for a critical internal application platform built on a microservices architecture.This role will focus on reverse engineering existing systems, analyzing C#/.NET applications and Azure Service Bus integrations, documenting architecture and workflows, identifying technical debt and operational risks, and developing a roadmap for stabilization and future enhancements in a complex environment with limited existing documentation.Key ResponsibilitiesProduct & System DiscoveryAssume ownership of an existing enterprise platform built on a distributed microservices architecture.Reverse engineer the current application ecosystem to understand system behavior, service dependencies, and business workflows.Analyze source code written in C#/.NET and collaborate with engineering teams to understand implementation patterns and business logic.Identify undocumented functionality, legacy workflows, and critical integration points.Messaging & Integration AnalysisConduct deep analysis of message flows across Azure Service Bus and related event-driven systems.Trace queues, topics, subscriptions, retry logic, dead-letter handling, and asynchronous workflows.Document how data moves across services, APIs, downstream systems, and integrations.Architecture DocumentationCreate comprehensive end-to-end platform documentation, including:Microservices architectureService ownership and dependenciesEvent and message flowsData contracts and integrationsBusiness process workflowsFailure points and operational risksDevelop architecture diagrams, process maps, and technical documentation to support ongoing engineering and modernization efforts.Product Assessment & Modernization StrategyAssess the current platform to identify:Technical debtRedundant or obsolete servicesScalability and performance concernsSecurity and operational gapsOpportunities for simplification or redesignPartner with engineering leadership to determine which components should be maintained, refactored, rebuilt, or retired.Develop and prioritize a modernization roadmap aligned with long-term business objectives.Stakeholder CollaborationWork closely with engineering, operations, business stakeholders, and leadership teams to gather institutional knowledge about the platform.Translate technical findings into actionable business recommendations.Drive prioritization of system improvements and future product investments.Required Qualifications5+ years of experience as a Product Owner, Technical Product Owner, Software Engineer, Solutions Engineer, or similar technical roleStrong technical understanding of C#/.NET applications with the ability to read and interpret codeHands-on experience with Microsoft Azure cloud environmentsDeep understanding of Azure Service Bus, asynchronous messaging, and event-driven architecturesExperience working within microservices-based systemsStrong background documenting legacy systems, integrations, and application architectureAbility to work independently in ambiguous environments with limited documentationPreferred QualificationsExperience modernizing legacy enterprise applicationsFamiliarity with domain-driven design, event-driven architecture, and API ecosystemsBackground supporting manufacturing, supply chain, ERP, or operational business systems is a plus