Financial Systems Engineer

Overview

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Financial Systems Engineer. This position could be based in any of our U.S. offices, preferably in our Wheeling, WV office, and consideration given for 100% remote US locations.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Financial Systems Engineer to lead the engineering management, support, and ongoing evolution of our core financial and practice management systems. This is a senior-level, hands-on engineering position requiring deep financial systems expertise combined with the ability to support a broader portfolio of enterprise and legal technology solutions reporting to the Manager of Database Administration.

Financial Systems Administration & Support 

• Administer, maintain, and optimize the firm’s financial systems, including configuration, patching, upgrades, and day-to-day troubleshooting across core modules such as client billing, accounts payable/expense management, general ledger, purchasing, fixed assets, trust accounting, and time entry.
• Maintain user security, access management, and administration, ensuring role-based controls and data-governance standards are enforced.
• Monitor scheduled jobs, interfaces, and system health; proactively detect issues using operating-system metrics, application logs, and performance-monitoring tools, and coordinate timely recovery or permanent resolution.
• Provide advanced technical and functional support to end users (Finance staff, attorneys/professionals, billing coordinators), resolving issues through ticket close-out and ensuring user satisfaction. 

Database Administration, SQL & Performance Tuning 

• Administer and maintain Microsoft SQL Server databases both on-premise and in the cloud (e.g. Azure, AWS) supporting financial and related applications, ensuring data integrity, availability, and security. 
• Develop and optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, views, and data endpoints, and perform query optimization, indexing, and performance tuning to maintain responsive system performance.
• Working knowledge of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
• Support data warehouse / reporting initiatives, including optimized data models and ETL processes for financial applications, where applicable.
• Perform backup, restore, and disaster-recovery procedures and validate data integrity across environments. 

Client/Server, SaaS & Integration Engineering 

• Support and maintain both classic client/server applications and cloud-hosted / SaaS platforms, including participation in modernization and cloud-migration initiatives.
• Design, build, test, and maintain integrations and APIs between financial systems and complementary enterprise systems (time entry, expense management, DMS, CRM, HR, bank/ACH connections, e-billing platforms), using REST APIs, middleware, flat-file exchanges, or ETL pipelines as appropriate.
• Administer supporting Microsoft Windows Server environments, including familiarity with IIS, PowerShell, and Active Directory. 

Upgrades, Testing & Change Control 

• Evaluate and implement system upgrades, patches, and new modules; plan and execute test plans including unit testing, system testing, UAT coordination, release validation, and defect triage.
• Manage change-control processes, assessing the impact of proposed upgrades or new offerings and reporting findings to management before implementation; contribute to Change Advisory Board (CAB) discussions as required. 

Collaboration, Documentation & Vendor Management 

• Act as a technical liaison between Finance/Accounting, IT, and business stakeholders, translating business needs into functional and system requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships in accordance with service-level agreements (SLAs), escalating issues as appropriate to ensure quality and timeliness of vendor support.
• Produce and maintain clear documentation for system configurations, integrations, support procedures, release notes, and operational runbooks for audit and continuity purposes; mentor junior staff and share best practices. 

Financial Controls, Compliance & Continuous Improvement 

• Apply accounting and auditing principles to ensure data integrity, internal controls, and audit trails are maintained; support month-end and year-end processing and resolve data issues affecting financial integrity.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation to reduce manual effort, improve user experience, and strengthen controls and auditability.
• Participate in the after-hours on-call support rotation of the Applications team (see Working Conditions). Perform other responsibilities and duties as required. 

Qualifications

Required: 

• Financial Systems Expertise: Expert-level, hands-on experience administering, configuring, and supporting enterprise financial systems, including performing technical customizations, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Microsoft SQL Server / Databases: Solid understanding of relational databases and practical experience working with Microsoft SQL Server, including writing and interpreting SQL queries, understanding database structures, and supporting data integrity and reporting needs. Familiarity with stored procedures, indexing concepts, SSRS, or SSIS is a plus.
• Microsoft Server Operating Systems: Demonstrated expertise administering enterprise Microsoft Windows Server environments, including familiarity with IIS, PowerShell, and Intune/Active Directory.
• Client/Server & SaaS Architectures: Proficiency and familiarity with both traditional client/server applications and cloud-hosted / SaaS solutions in general.
• APIs & Integration: Working knowledge of APIs (REST) and integration techniques (middleware, flat-file, ETL) used to connect enterprise systems and exchange data reliably.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills and the proven ability to work well with others — collaborating effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is required.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Proven analytical and troubleshooting abilities across multiple system layers (application, database, server), with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines.
• On-Call Availability: Willingness and ability to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and to perform occasional evening/weekend work for critical issue resolution, upgrades, or maintenance windows.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Finance/Accounting, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on experience in a technical role supporting financial systems. 

 Preferred:  

• Law-Firm Financial Platforms: Hands-on experience with law-firm-specific financial solutions such as Aderant Expert, Aderant Sierra (cloud/SaaS), or Thomson Reuters Elite 3E/3G is a plus, including any involvement in migrating on-premises environments to the cloud.
• Law Firm / Legal Industry Experience: Background working in-house at a law firm, or at a vendor/consultancy supporting law firms, with exposure to legal financial workflows (time and billing, general ledger, AP/AR, collections). Law firm experience is a plus, but not required.
• SQL Performance & Data Engineering: Advanced SQL performance-tuning, execution-plan analysis, data-warehouse design, and ETL pipeline experience.
• Microsoft SQL Server Clustering, Transactional Replication, Mirroring and Availability Groups experience a plus.
• Development & Scripting: Practical experience with scripting and automation tools, particularly PowerShell and similar scripting languages, to support system administration, reporting, data handling, and operational efficiencies. Vendor-specific tooling such as Aderant DocuDraft, Design Studio, or Classic/Framework customization are a plus.   

Who is Orrick? Orrick is a global law firm focused on delivering innovative solutions for four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in 25+ markets. We are recognized globally for delivering the highest-quality legal advice and for our culture of innovation and collaboration. 

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is: 

• New York City, Silicon Valley, and San Francisco $142,000 - $160,000
• Washington DC, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, Sacramento, Boston, and Seattle $119,000 - $150,000
• All Other US Locations $104,000 - $140,000

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography.  Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance. 

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program and paid holidays. 

Please visit www.orrick.com for more information about the firm.

How to Apply: If you are searching for a chance to create an impact, you have a little grit and you love working with a team, we want to talk with you. To submit your resume and cover letter for this position, please visit our Staff and Paralegal Opportunities Listings at www.orrick.com/Careers. Orrick accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

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