Manager, Database & Enterprise Applications in Santa Monica, California at Jakks Pacific Inc

JAKKS Pacific, Inc., a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world, currently seeks a hands-on Manager, Database & Enterprise Applications to manage and enhance our enterprise databases, applications, system integrations, cloud services, and emerging AI infrastructure.

This role will have responsibility for critical business systems spanning MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, .NET, Microsoft Azure, APIs/integrations, ERP, and our in-house AI environment.

The ideal candidate combines strong database expertise with application development and systems integration experience and is comfortable both managing technology and working directly with it. Experience with JD Edwards EnterpriseOne (JDE) is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage, maintain, optimize, and secure MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server database environments.
• Monitor database performance, availability, capacity, backups, recovery, and data integrity.
• Develop and optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, tables, views, and other database objects.
• Manage and support internally developed and third-party enterprise applications.
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot applications, scripts, interfaces, and automation using technologies including .NET/C#, Python, Perl, Java, and SQL.
• Build and maintain integrations between ERP, databases, internal applications, APIs, EDI systems, and external platforms.
• Support and administer applications, databases, and services within Microsoft Azure, including Azure SQL, virtual machines, storage, security, and related cloud services.
• Manage and maintain the company's in-house AI server environment, including AI/LLM applications, GPU resources, supporting software, security, and system performance.
• Develop secure integrations between internal applications, databases, and AI/LLM services.
• Support AI initiatives including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI APIs, and internal business automation.
• Support ERP-related database, reporting, and integration requirements; JD Edwards EnterpriseOne experience is preferred.
• Troubleshoot complex issues across databases, applications, servers, cloud services, APIs, and integrations.
• Partner with business departments to understand requirements and develop practical technical solutions.
• Identify opportunities to modernize applications, automate processes, improve data accessibility, and leverage AI across the organization.
• Maintain appropriate technical documentation, security standards, backup procedures, and disaster-recovery processes.

Required Qualifications:

• 5 + years of professional experience in database administration, enterprise application development, systems integration, or a related technical field.
• Strong hands-on experience with MySQL and/or Microsoft SQL Server.
• Advanced SQL skills, including complex queries, performance troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Application development or scripting experience with .NET/C#, Python, Perl and/or Java.
• Experience developing and supporting APIs, application interfaces, and system integrations.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure or a comparable enterprise cloud environment.
• Experience supporting Windows Server and/or Linux environments.
• Strong understanding of database security, backup, recovery, permissions, and disaster recovery.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple technical priorities and work effectively with both technical and non-technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• JD Edwards EnterpriseOne (JDE) experience.
• Strong Microsoft SQL Server and .NET/C# experience.
• Experience with Azure SQL, Azure Virtual Machines, Microsoft Entra ID, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience managing on-premises AI/LLM and GPU infrastructure.
• Familiarity with LLMs, RAG, vector databases, embeddings, AI APIs, and model deployment.
• EDI integration experience.
• Experience with Docker, Git, CI/CD, ETL, data warehousing, business intelligence, or DevOps practices.

Our Benefits:

Company Overview

A leading designer and marketer of children’s toys and consumer products, JAKKS Pacific® is always on the lookout for talented, bright and creative individuals to join our ever-growing team.

Best known for our toy and entertainment products, JAKKS produces impressive and innovative products across multiple categories spanning from action figures, collectibles, and dolls, to high performance activity toys and vehicles, and let’s not forget our deep portfolios of beloved licensed characters. In other words, we work hard to make play more fun, and we believe it has paid off.

Included in Fortune’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies for four years in a row, and Forbes’ 100 Best Small Companies for three years, JAKKS is an aggressive and passionate company, with a commitment to customers and a dedication to growing our business.

Our goal is to continuously cultivate a talented and diverse workforce while providing a safe and productive work environment and an excellent career growth opportunity while working with a dynamic team who loves what they do and for a Company that ultimately makes children smile, play and succeed!

Jakks Pacific, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.