2389 Platform Engineer I

Job Description

Job Description

 

For more than three decades, Strategic Data Systems (SDS) has been a software consultancy firm specializing in strategy, technology, and business transformation for Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized firms, and startups. At SDS, we empower our development teams to address our clients’ critical business challenges by leveraging cutting edge technologies. If you seek a workplace where your contributions are truly appreciated, then SDS is the company for you. Join us today to work alongside fellow development specialists and become a crucial part of our dynamic and cohesive community.

 

Job Title: Platform Engineer I

Location: Cincinnati, OH (Downtown)

Years of Experience: 0-3

 

TOP SKILLS:

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent college graduate or early-career technology professional to gain hands-on experience supporting mission-critical Foreign Exchange (FX) trading platforms.

Must Have

• Platform Engineering
• QA Testing

Nice To Have

• Banking experience is preferred
• Capital Markets

 

 

What You’ll Do

The FX Technology Squad is seeking a motivated and technically curious Platform Engineer to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent college graduate or early-career technology professional to gain hands-on experience supporting mission-critical Foreign Exchange (FX) trading platforms.

The Platform Engineer will work closely with senior engineers, product owners, business partners, and production support teams to learn the FX business while contributing to application support, testing, automation efforts, and platform improvements. This role provides exposure to industry-leading FX technologies, including Aphelion, WallStreet Systems (WSS), and Caplin.

We are looking for someone with a strong technical foundation, excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, self-starter and a passion for learning. The ideal candidate will be eager to leverage emerging AI and productivity tools to improve engineering efficiency and team effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Learn and Support FX Platforms

• Develop an understanding of Foreign Exchange (FX) trading products, workflows, and business processes.
• Learn and support key FX technology platforms including:
• Aphelion
• WallStreet Systems (WSS)
• Caplin
• Associated integrations and downstream applications
• Participate in day-to-day application support activities under the guidance of senior engineers.

Quality Assurance and Testing

• Assist with functional, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing activities.
• Create and execute test plans and test cases.
• Document testing results and partner with developers and business users to resolve issues.
• Support production releases and validation activities.

Production Support and Operational Excellence

• Help investigate and troubleshoot production incidents and application issues.
• Monitor application health and participate in operational support activities.
• Assist in root cause analysis efforts and documentation of recurring issues.
• Contribute to process improvements that reduce manual effort and increase platform reliability.

Data Analysis and Technical Problem Solving

• Use SQL to query, analyze, and troubleshoot application and business data.
• Support data validation, reconciliation, and issue investigation activities.
• Develop technical skills related to databases, APIs, application integrations, and cloud-based technologies.

Automation and Innovation

• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve team productivity.
• Build scripts, utilities, and automation solutions that reduce operational effort and improve system reliability.
• Support automated testing, deployment, monitoring, and operational workflows. 
• Leverage AI assisted engineering tools to accelerate troubleshooting, documentation, testing, and development activities. 
• Explore and apply AI-assisted development and productivity tools.
• Partner with teammates to improve testing efficiency, documentation, monitoring, and operational workflows.
• Contribute ideas that help modernize engineering practices and increase delivery speed.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with technology, operations, and business partners.
• Communicate issues, risks, and progress clearly to stakeholders.
• Participate actively in Agile ceremonies, team meetings, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Build strong relationships across the Capital Markets technology organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in:
• Computer Science
• Information Systems
• Software Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Data Analytics
• Or related technical discipline
• 0-3 years of technology experience.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational databases.
• Familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or co-op experience in software development, technology operations, infrastructure, or application support.
• Understanding of software development lifecycle concepts.
• Exposure to:
• Python
• Java
• .NET
• JavaScript
• REST APIs
• Git
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or similar technologies.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• Knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodologies.
• Interest in financial markets, trading systems, or banking technology.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, a successful candidate will:

• Develop a working knowledge of FX trading workflows and business processes.
• Become proficient in supporting Aphelion, WSS, Caplin, and associated FX applications.
• Independently perform testing and validation activities for platform enhancements and releases.
• Contribute to production issue investigation and resolution efforts.
• Build useful automations that reduce manual work for the team.
• Demonstrate effective use of AI and modern productivity tools to improve engineering outcomes.
• Become a trusted and collaborative member of the FX Technology Squad.

Why This Role?

This position offers a unique opportunity to begin a career supporting technology platforms that directly enable global foreign exchange trading operations. You will work alongside experienced engineers, gain exposure to financial markets technology, and develop skills across software engineering, platform support, automation, AI, and cloud technologies while helping drive innovation across the FX organization.

 

What You’ll Get

 

SDS, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

 

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Optional life and disability insurance provided
• 401(k) with a company match and optional profit sharing
• Paid vacation time
• Paid Bench time
• Training allowance offering
• You’ll be eligible to earn referral bonuses!