Investment Systems Senior Engineer

You will take ownership of critical investment systems and platforms (Portia, Longview, PACE, Automic, Power BI and Snowflake), leveraging Python, SQL, and PowerShell and other scripting languages to build and optimize robust data pipelines while ensuring timely key operational data loads. Applying Lean principles, you will eliminate systemic waste by performing deep root-cause analysis and automating manual processes to improve daily operations. You will lead technical solutioning and design activities as well as the implementation of system enhancements that directly enable the Investment Team’s decision-making. As a key member of our 24/7 on-call rotation, you will ensure the high reliability and performance of our firm's most vital financial technology.

Ideal Candidate StatementWe seek a tenacious problem-solver who thrives on complexity and takes full ownership of systems. You dig deep into root causes, ensuring issues are permanently resolved, and excel under pressure during critical situations. Efficiency drives you to eliminate waste, automate repetitive tasks, and value documentation as the backbone of scalable operations. Proactive by nature, you anticipate needs, propose improvements, and communicate technical solutions clearly to stakeholders. Your commitment and work ethic reflect an understanding that system reliability and data quality directly impacts investment decisions. You are defined by curiosity, grit, and a refusal to settle for “good enough” and an enthusiasm to mentor junior staff in best practices of solutioning, design, and troubleshooting.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Systems Engineering & Project Ownership
• Project Ownership
• Owns large investment projects by providing analysis, development, testing, and deployment; contributes to larger initiatives through effective collaboration with IT and Investment SMEs.
• Platform Management
• Manages and maintains key investment platforms (Portia, Longview, PACE, Power BI, Athena) and utilizes automation and data transformation tools (Python, SQL, Snowflake, PowerShell, and orchestration tools) to improve process robustness.
• Technical Design
• Leads technical approach discussions and independently develops/proposes designs for complex developments that meet established standards.
• Lead Implementation
• Translates architectural designs into complex technical builds. Leads the technical delivery of major projects and peer-reviews all designs for "Lean" efficiency
• Complex Data Logic:
• Develops the most complex data transformations and logic. Optimizes Snowflake performance and ensures data "Lean-ness" (minimizing redundant data).
• Operational Support & Stability
• Troubleshooting
• Troubleshoots daily investment systems/data issues (Tier 1/Tier 2) and resolves incidents (dependent on level: common issues / most issues / all issues without escalation).
• 24/7 On-Call
• Participates in the 24/7 investment systems on-call rotation, taking tenacious ownership of system stability and minimizing downtime.
• Educates and trains non-senior staff to handle on-call rotation. Document new fixes discovered during the shift to improve the team's knowledge. Conducts post-incident "Lean" reviews to ensure the same issue never happens twice.
• Operational Excellence
• Leads the stability of the entire application suite. Proactively identifies systemic risks and builds automated recovery/monitoring solutions. Works with the Architect to optimize and reduce technical debt.
• System Administration & Governance
• Server & App Admin
• Administers and patches investment application servers and database environments.
• Security & Access
• Administers investment system users and roles, ensuring secure authentication and compliant access control.
• Documentation:
• Develops and maintains high-quality system support, troubleshooting, and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documentation.
• Process Governance:
• Defines technical documentation standards. Ensures the team's technical knowledge base is accurate, searchable, and audit-ready.
• Knowledge & Leadership
• Technical Expertise
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of the firm’s investment application systems, business functions across asset classes, and underlying network/database environments.
• Mentorship:
• Shares technical and institutional knowledge with the team, leading training and brainstorming sessions to drive continuous improvement.
• Continuous Learning:
• Proactively stays current on evolving investment technologies and industry best practices through frequent technical training.
• Technical Liaison:
• Acts as the primary bridge between the Investment Team's needs and technical execution. Manages project scope and senior stakeholder expectations.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Vendor Coordination
• Acts as a technical liaison or Subject Matter Expert (Engineer/Senior) when working with vendors to resolve complex application or integration issues.
  

• Degree in technical (STEM) field and four years experience in technical role preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Mastery of SQL and Python/PowerShell; experience with system architecture and Snowflake data modeling.
• Preferred Qualifications
• In depth institutional knowledge of investment systems and complex business functions.
  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine.
• Occasional moving and positioning of supplies in excess of 20 pounds
• All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to operate standard PC equipment
• Ability to manage frequent deadlines and tight schedules

Opportunity to work from home up to three days per week after orientation and training, subject to performance and manager approval. Eligibility is dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.