Haken IT Systems Operations Engineer - Banking Tokyo

Are you an experienced IT Systems Operations Engineer looking to advance your career in Japan's financial services industry? Join a prestigious financial institution in Tokyo and play a critical role in supporting and enhancing complex trading, clearing, and risk management systems.

In this position, you will combine L2/L3 application support, database development, and systems engineering to ensure the reliability and efficiency of essential middle- and back-office operations. Working with advanced financial technologies, including Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL, and Unix, you'll have the opportunity to solve challenging technical problems, improve system performance, and contribute to the modernisation of Japan's financial infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Level 2 and Level 3 (L2/L3) application support, troubleshooting complex issues across trading platforms, risk reporting interfaces, and financial systems.
• Design, develop, enhance, and maintain critical data processing applications using PL/SQL, SQL, and Unix shell scripting.
• Manage database migration activities and implement CI/CD pipelines to improve database deployment processes, system reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Support essential middle- and back-office functions, including legal ledgers, trade clearing and settlement lifecycles, and trade allocation processes.
• Coordinate system integrations and develop API solutions connecting clearing houses, financial terminals, and internal trading applications.
• Collaborate with developers, vendors, and cross-functional technology teams to resolve production issues and deliver reliable technical solutions.
• Analyse system requirements, investigate application defects, and implement improvements to maintain stability in high-demand financial environments.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Extensive experience in IT systems operations, application support, or software engineering, preferably within investment banking, securities, or financial services.
• Strong expertise in relational database management systems (RDBMS), including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or Sybase.
• Hands-on development experience with PL/SQL, T-SQL, and SQL, including database troubleshooting, optimisation, and maintenance.
• Proficiency in Unix shell scripting (Bash/Csh) and experience with programming languages such as Java, C#, or Perl.
• Practical knowledge of financial market operations, particularly trade clearing, cash equities, listed derivatives, or settlement processes.
• Experience supporting business-critical applications and resolving complex technical issues in live production environments.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a structured approach to troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills when coordinating with developers, external vendors, and business stakeholders.

• Ability to independently analyse requirements, prioritise technical challenges, and deliver effective solutions under pressure.

• Detail-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to system reliability, accuracy, and operational excellence.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Fluent proficiency for communication with local stakeholders and technical teams.

• English: Intermediate to business-level proficiency for technical discussions and cross-functional collaboration.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with financial back-office systems such as I-STAR, including familiarity with legal ledger requirements and securities processing workflows.
• Knowledge of modern DevOps practices, CI/CD automation, and version control tools, including Git, Jenkins, and Datical.
• Familiarity with database schema deployment, migration processes, and application release management.
• Foundational understanding of cryptocurrency trading platforms, blockchain technologies, or blockchain data querying.
• Additional exposure to financial systems integration, clearing house connectivity, or complex trading infrastructure.

About the Company

Our client is a prestigious financial services organisation operating within Japan's sophisticated investment banking and securities market. The company plays an important role in supporting complex trading operations, clearing processes, and financial settlement infrastructure.

Combining established financial systems with modern technology, the organisation offers engineers an opportunity to work on business-critical applications that support demanding market operations.

With a strong focus on operational excellence, technical innovation, and collaboration, the company provides a professionally rewarding environment for technology specialists seeking to deepen their expertise in financial systems engineering, database technologies, and application support.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• High-Impact Projects: Work on mission-critical trading, clearing, and settlement applications that support Japan's financial markets.
• Advanced Technical Exposure: Strengthen your expertise in Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL, Unix, database migrations, and CI/CD automation.
• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience modernising established financial infrastructure while implementing contemporary development and automation practices.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside experienced financial technology professionals, developers, and industry specialists in a technically challenging environment.
• Specialised Career Growth: Build highly sought-after expertise at the intersection of investment banking technology, financial systems operations, and software engineering.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!