Business Systems Software Engineer

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Business Systems Software Engineer builds intelligent business applications that improve how LAIKA operates. Working closely with stakeholders across Production, Finance & Accounting, People & Culture, Facilities, Technology, and Studio Operations, this role transforms complex business processes into intuitive software solutions that people rely on every day. 

Unlike traditional application development roles, engineers on the Business Systems team build applications using LAIKA's Python-based application platform. The platform provides reusable capabilities for forms, workflows, dashboards, tables, calendars, reporting, enterprise integrations, and AI services, allowing engineers to focus on solving business problems rather than building UI infrastructure. 

As our platform continues to evolve, AI is becoming a core capability of the applications we build. Engineers on this team thoughtfully integrate AI into business applications, helping users work more efficiently through summarization, intelligent search, content generation, automation, and natural language interactions. We are looking for engineers who are excited about thoughtfully applying AI to solve real business problems, not necessarily AI specialists or machine learning experts. 

Success in this role comes from understanding how people work, identifying opportunities for improvement, and delivering software that makes complex processes simpler, faster, and more intuitive. 

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Design, develop, and maintain internal business applications using LAIKA's Python-based application platform.
• Partner directly with business stakeholders to understand operational challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate them into practical software solutions.
• Model business workflows including approvals, scheduling, validation, automation, and data relationships.
• Develop Python services, APIs, automation, and integrations with enterprise platforms such as Dynamics 365, UKG, Power Bi, Microsoft 365, Jira, Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid), and other SaaS applications.
• Leverage reusable platform capabilities to rapidly deliver consistent, scalable, and maintainable business applications.
• Design and implement AI-enabled application features that enhance user productivity using Azure AI Foundry and other supported AI services.
• Identify opportunities where AI can improve user workflows through summarization, content generation, intelligent search, conversational experiences, or task automation.
• Advance the Business Systems platform by identifying reusable patterns, improving shared framework capabilities, expanding AI integrations, and enhancing the overall developer experience.
• Troubleshoot production issues, implement enhancements, and participate in design reviews, testing, and code reviews. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of professional software engineering experience designing and developing business, desktop, web, or enterprise applications.
• Hands-on software development experience with Python or another modern object-oriented programming language.
• Experience designing and developing software that supports business processes, workflows, or operational systems.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals including debugging, testing, and writing maintainable code.
• Proficiency with REST APIs, structured data, and Git (or comparable source control systems).
• Ability to communicate effectively and translate business needs into thoughtful, scalable technical solutions. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience incorporating generative AI capabilities into software applications using Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI APIs, or similar platforms, with an interest in designing AI-assisted experiences that help users work more efficiently.
• Familiarity with enterprise systems such as Dynamics 365, UKG, Flow Production Tracking (ShotGrid), Jira, Cosmos, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Azure services, cloud-native application development, or serverless architectures.
• Proficiency developing applications using UI frameworks such as Reflex, PySide/PyQt, React, or similar technologies. 

LOCATION

On-site in Hillsboro, OR, and eligible for hybrid and remote work.

SALARY

Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.  

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Please review our EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER and MATERIALS SUBMISSION AGREEMENT.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LAIKA is an equal opportunity employer, and we make employment decisions on the basis of individual qualifications and merit. We have created a workplace where everyone is respected, valued, and encouraged to contribute. We value everyone's differences and understand that we each contribute in different ways. Hiring, work assignments, rates of pay, promotion, layoff, and recall are based upon skill and ability, satisfactory attendance and conduct, productivity, quality of work, length of service, and other legitimate, job-related factors.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO A WORKPLACE FREE OF DISCRIMINATION

We don't allow discrimination of any type and we consider everyone for a job based on their skills and abilities, not their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, workers' compensation status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local non-discrimination laws. Discrimination based on any of these factors is inconsistent with our philosophy and is not tolerated at any time. It is our firm policy to maintain a work environment that is free of such discrimination.