Software Engineering Contractor
Our client is seeking an experienced Software Engineering Contractor to support their Funds and Liquidity team. The contractor will focus on modernizing and optimizing the cash match tool, a critical component of the client s cash reconciliation processes. This tool plays a pivotal role in supporting the accurate reconciliation of cash flows across both internally and externally managed portfolios, spanning multiple asset types.

The contractor will work closely with the Funds and Liquidity team to enhance the system s performance, scalability, and reliability, utilizing Azure Cloud best practices. This is a key initiative to ensure that the Client can manage cash flows more efficiently, improve data accuracy, and support the oversight of the Investment Book of Record (IBOR).

This project will initially be scoped for six months, with the possibility of one or more extensions.
Background:
The cash match tool was originally developed to streamline cash reconciliation across various investment categories, including public markets, private equity, hedge funds, and derivatives. While it has been functional for basic UI interactions and reporting, the system is currently facing performance, scalability, and reliability challenges, including:
1. UI Performance: Delays and reduced responsiveness during concurrent operations.
2. Server Errors: Frequent "500 Internal Server Errors" during peak usage due to backend concurrency limitations.
3. Network Reliability: Timeouts and performance degradation from increased data volume and concurrent requests.
4. Caching: Absence of an effective caching mechanism to reduce backend load.
5. Unexpected Behaviors: Unexpected system behaviors that undermine user confidence (e.g., issues with decimal precision, system not reflecting data as expected).
6. Insufficient Testing: Gaps in unit testing, integration testing, and error logging, which impact overall system reliability.
7. Lack of CI/CD: No established continuous integration or delivery pipeline.
8. Security Gaps: Weaknesses in user access and permissions.
As client transitions to a cloud-first architecture, modernizing the cash match tool using Azure Cloud will address these challenges and position them for greater scalability, reliability, and performance.
Key Responsibilities and Role Essential Activities:
The Software Engineering Contractor will play a critical role in the modernization of Client s cash match tool, focusing on improving its performance, scalability, and reliability. The contractor will work closely with the Funds and Liquidity team to optimize the tool s architecture, resolve performance issues, and introduce new features that support efficient cash flow
reconciliation across their diverse portfolio. Essential activities include the following:
Evaluate existing cash match solution and provide recommendations.
Develop the project timeline with clear milestones.
Design and develop cloud native (Azure) micro-services with a primary focus on correctness, security, accessibility, and performance. These microservices will provide services and data to the cash match application and internal/external consumers.
Implement Redis as a cache layer to reduce the number of direct database calls, thus decreasing request processing time and backend load.
Develop CI/CD pipeline build jobs on tools like Gitlab.
Write unit tests focusing both on integration as well as performance testing.
Interact with various teams to assimilate new data sources and develop new features to support new data requirements.
Provide L3 support for the service with respect to data quality as well as performance to all consuming applications and users.
Provide flexible solutions to complex business problems using cloud technology best practices.
Integrate with other services in the ecosystem or public API s and databases.
Apply best in class engineering principles, optimized algorithms, and data structure techniques.
Conduct code reviews of other developers and participate in git merge/pull reviews.
Follow technology trends/tools and recommend improvements to our technology stack.
Work with the Information Security team to integrate SailPoint and Entra for secure access controls, implementing robust authentication and authorization procedures.
Develop documentation that include architecture diagrams, run books, build steps, end user details, etc.
Make iterative improvements aligned with evolving business needs.

This role will require a self-motivated and adaptable individual who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, cloud-first environment and is committed to ensuring the long-term success of the cash match tool. The contractor will be expected to take ownership of technical challenges, collaborate across teams, and deliver solutions that drive operational efficiency and data accuracy.
Ideal Candidate Qualifications:
5+ years of software development experience.
Bachelor s degree in Computer Science strongly preferred.
2+ years of experience developing and deploying cloud solutions on AWS/Azure.
2+ years of experience with relational database engine.
3+ years of experience developing containerized applications deployed either on-prem or private cloud.
Understanding of API gateways, security entitlements and event-based system desired. Kafka, AWS SNS, AWS EventBridge, Azure EventGrid desired.
4+ years of experience with object-oriented programming language like Java, Python, C++ or C#.
1+ years of experience with NoSql database engine like Redis, Cassandra or MongoDB.
1+ years of experience developing distributed bases solutions in a cloud environment.
Good understanding of distributed computing principles.
1+ years of experience using build tools, Gitlab preferred.
Experience implementing and operating container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, Nomad, Elastic Container Service (ECS).
Experience working directly with end users to develop requirements, manage Jira backlogs and conduct work in sprint/scrum environments.
4+ years of experience working with JavaScript web applications. 2+ years of experience in React or related JavaScript frameworks (JQuery, React.Js, Knockout.js/ Angular.js).
Strong aptitude for highly efficient data structures and algorithms.
Interest in shaping business needs leveraging best in class cloud-based technology stack.
Excellent communication and ability to collaborate well with both technical and non-technical users.
Understanding of financial services and familiarity with cash match processes is preferred.