Investment Systems Engineer

Colorado PERA; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado PERA seeks a Systems Engineer to own and optimize critical investment platforms (Portia, Longview, PACE, Ascend, Power BI, Snowflake). You will use Python, SQL, and PowerShell to build robust data pipelines, automate manual tasks, and improve daily operations.

As part of the 24/7 on-call rotation you will ensure high reliability of essential financial technology supporting investment decisions. Strong problem-solving and documentation are valued.

Qualifications

• Degree in a technical (STEM) field or equivalent.
• Strong SQL, Python, and PowerShell skills for data pipelines.
• Experience automating complex processes and root-cause analysis.
• Familiarity with investment platforms and enterprise data tools.

Responsibilities

• Own medium investment projects from analysis through deployment.
• Manage and maintain investment platforms (Portia, Longview, PACE, Ascend, Power BI, Snowflake).
• Troubleshoot daily investment systems and data issues; resolve incidents.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation to ensure system reliability.

Skills

SQL

Python

PowerShell

Automation

Root cause analysis

Data pipelines

Windows Server

Power BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Automic UC4

Airflow

Snowflake

SQL Server

Job description

Summary Of Job Responsibilities

You will take ownership of our critical investment systems (Portia, Longview, PACE, Ascend, Automic, Power BI and Snowflake), leveraging Python, SQL, and PowerShell and other scripting languages to build and optimize robust data pipelines. Applying Lean principles, you will eliminate systemic waste by performing deep root-cause analysis and automating manual processes to improve daily operations. You will contribute to technical designs and lead 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 Statement

We 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 directly impacts investment decisions. Regardless of level, you are defined by curiosity, grit, and a refusal to settle for "good enough".

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 medium 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, Ascend, Power BI, Athena) and utilizes automation and data transformation tools (Python, SQL, Snowflake, PowerShell, and orchestration tools) to improve process robustness.
• Technical Design
  • Contributes to technical approach discussions and independently develops/proposes designs for simple developments that meet established standards.

Operational Support & Stability

• Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshoots daily investment systems/data issues (Tier 1/Tier 2) and resolves incidents
• 24/7 On-Call
  • Participates in the 24/7 investment systems on-call rotation, taking tenacious ownership of system stability and minimizing downtime.

System Administration & Governance

• Server & App Admin
  • Administers and patches investment application servers and database environments to ensure availability for development.
• 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.

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.
• Continuous Learning:
  • Proactively stays current on evolving investment technologies and industry best practices through frequent technical training.

Performs Other Duties As Assigned

• Operational Excellence
  • Participates in code reviews and incident post-mortem reviews with a focus on eliminating manual "toil" and systemic waste.
• Vendor Coordination
  • Acts as a technical liaison or Subject Matter Expert when working with vendors to resolve complex application or integration issues.

Job Qualifications

• Degree in technical (STEM) field and two years of experience in technical role preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• You periodically attend technical training relating to core stack skills development as well as current system support duties.
• You're an expert in key technology/platform within your stack. You have experience managing and troubleshooting, operating systems, servers and storage, and utilizing automation for platform management. Your focus is managing platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL for complex querying, performance tuning, and database object management across enterprise environments (e.g., Snowflake, SQL Server, Oracle).
• Understanding of investment workflows and asset classes
• Strong scripting and development experience using Python (data manipulation, API integrations, automation) and PowerShell (Windows Server administration, automated batch processing).
• Enterprise Workload Automation: Hands-on experience designing, scheduling, and troubleshooting complex multi-step job streams in enterprise orchestrators (e.g., Broadcom Automic / UC4, Airflow, or equivalent) using native scripting and conditional logic.
• Proven track record supporting and maintaining production enterprise applications, underlying Windows servers, and vendor-hosted/SaaS integrations, including REST APIs, SFTP interfaces, cloud-assisted data movements, and routine system maintenance/upgrades.

Working Conditions

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

Hybrid Work Option

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.