C#, ASP.NET, DevExpress, Entity Framework

We have a live C# / ASP.NET application that relies heavily on DevExpress WinForms controls and Entity Framework. Right now I need help on three fronts at once: clearing out a backlog of bugs, extending the feature-set, and tightening up performance through careful refactoring.

Top priority is a stubborn build issue inside Visual Studio that appears whenever the DevExpress Maps control is compiled; fixing that and stabilising the solution come first. Once the build is clean, I want to polish the interface—mainly improving usability and navigation, rather than a wholesale redesign—while continuing to roll out new modules. Next will be changing the licensing in the build.

You will work directly in the existing Git repository, using Entity Framework for data access and the full DevExpress suite for the WinForms UI. Well-commented, readable code is a must; each pull request should include clear notes on what changed, why, and how it was tested. I review and merge daily, so frequent, incremental commits are appreciated.

Deliverables for the first milestone
• Resolve the DevExpress Maps compilation error and restore a clean build in Visual Studio
• Patch any related runtime exceptions discovered during regression testing
• Provide a brief summary of the root cause and fix

Ongoing milestones will focus on feature additions and code optimisation. If you have deep experience with DevExpress components and a knack for clean, maintainable C# architecture, let’s get started.

I'm mainly looking for someone that is close to my timezone (AEDT +10) to make collaboration easier.