Solutions Architect

Overview 
We are seeking a Solutions Architect to join our team at LAIKA, the world-renowned stop-motion studio celebrated for its innovative storytelling and cutting-edge animation techniques. In this role, you will help design, develop, and maintain custom software tools and solutions that connect and optimize our finance and business systems. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline data integration across departments and services, leveraging our existing frameworks to deliver user-friendly front-end solutions that integrate seamlessly with back-end operations. Your contributions will play a vital role in enhancing collaboration across teams such as Production, Finance & Accounting, People & Culture, and Facilities, supporting the creative excellence and operational efficiency that define LAIKA. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Project Management: Oversee project management for financial systems initiatives, encompassing planning, execution, testing, and deployment, while ensuring milestones are achieved within scope and budget. Conduct thorough analyses of current financial systems and workflows to translate the finance team's needs into actionable business and technical requirements for system enhancements, optimizations, and new implementations that support LAIKA’s financial objectives and regulatory compliance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with F&A, HR, and other departments to integrate data from diverse systems into a unified architecture. Act as a liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams to ensure effective system implementations. Facilitate cross-departmental meetings to gather requirements and present solutions. 
• Systems Design and Integration: Develop and implement scalable system architectures that integrate Microsoft Dynamics ERP within a Microsoft Azure cloud environment. Design solutions using software such as Solver Global and UKG systems to automate and enhance operational processes. 
• Data Management and Optimization: Oversee Azure-based SQL databases to ensure data integrity, security, and performance across ERP and data warehouse systems. Optimize Python APIs for seamless data integration between Dynamics ERP, Solver Global, and other internal systems. 
• Reporting and Analysis: Design and produce financial and operational reports through Solver, leveraging data from multiple SaaS services. Perform ad hoc analyses to support strategic decision-making and provide actionable insights. 
• Process Automation: Implement automation solutions for reporting, budgeting, and accounting functions. Develop custom tools and establish standardized data collection and taxonomy processes to enhance workflow efficiency and data accessibility. 
• Compliance and Security: Ensure all systems adhere to regulatory requirements, including SOX, GDPR, and PCI-DSS. Establish internal controls to maintain compliance across financial and operational processes. 
• Technical Support and Innovation: Provide ongoing support for system troubleshooting and performance monitoring. Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, cost savings, and the adoption of emerging technologies to improve system performance. 

Qualifications 
Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field.  
• 7+ years’ experience in systems architecture, database engineering, or a similar role, with a focus on ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics.  

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in Microsoft Azure services, including Azure Functions and cloud-based data warehousing. 
• Proficient in SQL databases, data modeling, and performance optimization techniques.  
• Proven experience developing and utilizing Python APIs for data integration with ERP and CPM systems.  
• Advanced skills in financial and operational reporting tools like Power BI, Tableau, or Excel.  

Preferred Skills:  

• Familiarity with Corporate Performance Management (CPM) tools such as Solver Global. 
• Understanding of compliance requirements (e.g., SOX, GDPR, PCI-DSS).  

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to learning and implementing new technologies. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.  

Location
On-site in Hillsboro, OR, and also eligible for hybrid and/or remote work. 
Salary
Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

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