Current Openings with LUCRUM INC

August 4, 2010

Internal LUCRUM positions:
Contact Patrick Ryan at 513-564-6979 or send your resume to pryan AT lucruminc DOT com

Database Lead
SQL Reporting, SSIS, SSRS, Data Warehouse, Requirements gathering, Customer Facing, MS SQL Server or Oracle or Business Objects or Hyperion, some Arch exp, set a vision, Project Management Skills

Database Developer
SQL Reporting, SSIS, SSRS, Data Warehouse, Requirements gathering, Customer Facing, MS SQL Server or Oracle or Business Objects or Hyperion

Application Developer
ASP.NET, AJAX, Jquery & SQL (SSRS & SSIS)

Test Lead
Client Driven Development testing background, Automated Testing Tools
Tester
Client Driven Development testing background, Manual Testing

DB2 DBA
Lead/Specialist is viewed as an expert in the administration and support of database technology. Undertakes complex projects requiring additional technical knowledge and makes decisions on ambiguous administrative and support issues. Communicates common goals and direction for the team. May interface with management to provide project updates.
The position is on the Technical/Professional ladder at level 4 in the Database Administration discipline.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Identifies, tests and deploys all database technologies and support tools (detailed knowledge of SMP/E, JCL, TSO,/ISPF, SQL).
2. Ensures system improvements are successfully implemented.
3. Responsible for verifying all data to be entered into database meets set standards and requirements.
4. Designs, enters, audits and maintains large, complex databases.
5. Leads others to identify, test and resolve complex database performance issues (e.g., monitoring and tuning).
6. Performs database system management functions (e.g., software installs, version upgrades and configuration management).
7. Defines and develops database standards, procedures and architecture.
8. Designs data models and DW database designs.
9. Facilitates project planning by establishing work plans, estimates, milestones and schedules.
10. Provides team with technical training and/or mentoring.
11. Other duties as required.

Application Architect
Overview:
Experience in application performance, troubleshooting, and analysis of java applications.
Experience in agile software development practices, continuous integration, and test driven development.
Experience in working with application profiling and performance monitoring toolsets.
Experience in working in a Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) environment and web services.
7-9 years object-oriented design and development of n-tier applications experience in multiple languages and related technologies (JAVA/J2EE, C++, .NET, Web Services).
Firm understanding of Web Service concepts and Internet technologies, WSDL, XSD, XML.
Must have excellent problem solving skills including troubleshooting and root cause analysis for large-scale, enterprise Java applications in an SOA environment.

Target Technical Skills:
Senior-level Java development skills: (required).
Open Source Frameworks: Spring, Hibernate, MyFaces/Java Server Faces: (highly desirable)
Application Server Configuration and Tuning: Apache, Tomcat, JVM tuning. (required)
Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting: CA Wily Introscope, YourKit code profiling: (experience with similar tools required. specific tools desirable)
Continuous Integration and Build Mgmt: Hudson, Maven, Ant, Junit: (experience with similar tools desirable)
Database: Oracle: (relational DB skills required. Oracle desired)
Servers: Linux (Redhat) and Windows-based. (Proficiency with command line tools/troubleshooting required)

Responsibilities:
Deep-dive Performance Analysis and Tuning
Troubleshooting for application exceptions at run-time and post-deployment validation.
Performs root-cause analysis and recommends solutions for application, environment, and performance-related issues
Build and Deployment Automation
Other development and application architecture tasks as assigned.

Release Manager
Overview:
This position will be responsible for managing the code that is moved from one environment to the next. They work closely with development and DBAs in order to thoroughly document and manage code as it moves toward Production. This position will be a point person for all code moving toward and into the Production environment. This individual will need to be a self motivated and collaborative IT Professional with a strong background in SDLC, software development and a working understanding of change and release management processes.

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
• Responsible for providing leadership and guidance to IT groups across the organization on Configuration and Change Management processes and procedures.
• Responsible for implementing and maintaining processes and standards to ensure organizational compliance with defined controls in the area of Application Change Management.
• Evaluates, selects and administers organization-wide automated tools pertaining to Configuration and Change Control and Build and Release Management.
• Implements Configuration and Change Management practices, standards and tools for use in development and maintenance projects.
Additional Duties:
• Develop and document instructions and guidelines to perform the functions assigned.
• Manage, maintain and deploy to test environments.
• Establish standard configuration management processes and procedures for version control, build and release management, CM audit reports, configuration identification and control, software product baselines and change management.
• Develop and manage systems of recovery for the code sources of the current and previous versions of the software.
• Conduct functional and physical configuration audits as needed.
• Participate in the change control process.
• Provide training and support on software configuration management process as needed on the use of version control.
• Assist in the development, analysis and maintenance of tools that support and automate processes for our software product releases.
• Assist engineers in the setup and configuration of their local development environments.
• Maintain control and account of all project assets.
• Design, document and establish configuration documentation.
• Perform routine software builds and resolve build conflicts and issues in a timely manner.
• Participate in software process improvement efforts.
• Verify the completeness and accuracy of release libraries and documentation before implementation.
• Develop and administer project baselines.
• Develop and maintain code versioning, branching and merging.
• Maintain multiple active branches and database versions at the same time while keeping source code and database schema synchronized.
• Responsible for the software tracking and releases.
• Manage the application and OS configuration files and settings for test environments.
• Provide deployable solutions and release instructions to operations staff for deployment and management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Qualifications:
• Associates or B.S Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology or equivalent experience required.
• 5-7 years of experience in Microsoft and Cisco environments including some experience with virtualization technologies.
• 3+ years in a Software Configuration Manager or Release Manager role required.
• 3+ years experience with Team Foundation Server or equivalent experience working with other version control/configuration management tools.
• Strong experience in Microsoft VisualStudio.NET development (Windows and Web applications).
• Experience or knowledge of continuous integration, application lifecycle management and automation and job scheduling systems.
• Experience with process automation using scripting languages.
• Thorough understanding of a project’s life cycle and development methods.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with developers, QA teams, and functional managers

Current Positions open through LUCRUM

June 14, 2010

EMAIL: pryan AT lucruminc.com

TITLE: Senior Open Systems Backup Engineer
LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH
DURATION:Direct Hire

GENERAL FUNCTION: Responsible for the analysis, installation, performance monitoring, capacity planning, modification and support of Large Scale Enterprise Backup Systems for CLIENT. Assist in the research, design and implementation of new technologies and their potential match to business solutions. Follows corporate standards to implement backup solutions supporting UNIX and Windows platform systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Function as a technical expert in problem resolution for backup infrastructure hardware and software issues.
• Manage the physical and logical configuration of all systems backup media.
• Plays a key role as an individual contributor on projects of a moderate to high level of complexity.
• Monitor backup systems to insure adequate capacity, performance, and availability.
• Assist with the development and analysis of performance metrics data to optimize the usage of the infrastructure resources.
• Assist in with development, planning, preparation and ongoing disaster recovery readiness.
• Maintain appropriate controls and documentation to ensure compliance of audit requirements and qualifications.
• Responsible for systems performance and resolution of production incidents, which may require 27 hr/day and/or 7-day/week on-call coverage.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Systems or comparable experience.
• At least five years of experience with Storage Area Network and Enterprise Backup Systems administration.
• Experience with Windows and UNIX operating systems. Have an understanding of VMware and virtual technologies.
• Experience with managing NAS data replication and snapshot technology.
• Experience with enterprise storage arrays, such as EMC and IBM.
• Experience with enterprise disk and tape backup subsystems, such as TSM, Avamar, Networker, Data Domain, etc.
• Experience with storage and backup management software, such as ECC, Bocada, DPA, etc.
• Experience with disaster recovery methodologies and data replication technologies, such as SRDF, RecoverPoint.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Normal office environment with little exposure to dust, noise, temperature and the like on a frequent basis.
• Occasional exposure to dust in a non office setting where lifting/carrying 1-50 lbs., kneeling, and stooping may be required in conjunction with activities such as pulling cables and setting up equipment.

TITLE: Lead DB2 DBA (Mainframe)
LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH
DURATION:Direct Hire

GENERAL FUNCTION:
Lead/Specialist is viewed as an expert in the administration and support of database technology. Undertakes complex projects requiring additional technical knowledge and makes decisions on ambiguous administrative and support issues. Communicates common goals and direction for the team. May interface with management to provide project updates.
The position is on the Technical/Professional ladder at level 4 in the Database Administration discipline.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Identifies, tests and deploys all database technologies and support tools (detailed knowledge of SMP/E, JCL, TSO,/ISPF, SQL).
2. Ensures system improvements are successfully implemented.
3. Responsible for verifying all data to be entered into database meets set standards and requirements.
4. Designs, enters, audits and maintains large, complex databases.
5. Leads others to identify, test and resolve complex database performance issues (e.g., monitoring and tuning).
6. Performs database system management functions (e.g., software installs, version upgrades and configuration management).
7. Defines and develops database standards, procedures and architecture.
8. Designs data models and DW database designs.
9. Facilitates project planning by establishing work plans, estimates, milestones and schedules.
10. Provides team with technical training and/or mentoring.
11. Other duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
Position Requirements

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Undergraduate degree or equivalent, with at least 6 years of computer related experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Normal office environment with little exposure to dust, noise, temperature and the like.
2. Extended viewing of CRT screen.

TITLE: Application Architect
LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH
DURATION 6 month contract with possible direct hire

Experience in application performance, troubleshooting, and analysis of java applications.
Experience in agile software development practices, continuous integration, and test driven development.
Experience in working with application profiling and performance monitoring toolsets.
Experience in working in a Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) environment and web services.
7-9 years object-oriented design and development of n-tier applications experience in multiple languages and related technologies (JAVA/J2EE, C++, .NET, Web Services).
Firm understanding of Web Service concepts and Internet technologies, WSDL, XSD, XML.
Must have excellent problem solving skills including troubleshooting and root cause analysis for large-scale, enterprise Java applications in an SOA environment.

Target Technical Skills:
Senior-level Java development skills: (required).
Open Source Frameworks: Spring, Hibernate, MyFaces/Java Server Faces: (highly desirable)
Application Server Configuration and Tuning: Apache, Tomcat, JVM tuning. (required)
Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting: CA Wily Introscope, YourKit code profiling: (experience with similar tools required. specific tools desirable)
Continuous Integration and Build Mgmt: Hudson, Maven, Ant, Junit: (experience with similar tools desirable)
Database: Oracle: (relational DB skills required. Oracle desired)
Servers: Linux (Redhat) and Windows-based. (Proficiency with command line tools/troubleshooting required)

Responsibilities
Deep-dive Performance Analysis and Tuning
Troubleshooting for application exceptions at run-time and post-deployment validation.
Performs root-cause analysis and recommends solutions for application, environment, and performance-related issues
Build and Deployment Automation
Other development and application architecture tasks as assigned.

Current Information Technology positions available for hire!

January 29, 2010

Please email Patrick Ryan direct: pryan@lucruminc.com for additional details

 Do you like warm temperatures,  gambling and shows? Las Vegas may be your new beginning!  The following positions are 3 month contract to hire opportunities in Las Vegas!!!!

Senior Software Engineer 

The Senior Software Engineer position is responsible for developing software for electronic gaming device and related products as directed as part of a team. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develops game or core machine software, including design, coding, testing and documentation to specified standards.
  • Produces project schedules and completes project on time within budget.
  • Ensures adequate testing of software, including preparing test data, test procedure and debug programs.
  • Conducts independent research and analysis with minimum supervision from software manager.
  • Prepares written report as required.
  • May provide work direction, training, assist in setting goals for subordinate team members.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field, or its equivalent.

Experience:  Requires a minimum of five years of experience in software engineering and/or programming.

Demonstrated experience in coding in C and C++.  Experience with UNIX/Linux system programming, network programming and low level device driver programming required.  Experience with OOA/D methodologies required.

Skills, knowledge, and qualifications:

  • Experience with Agile Scrum methodologies will be a plus.
  • Prior experience in the gaming industry will be a plus.
  • Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. 
  • Must be able to work independently and be team oriented. 

This position may require registration with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and/or other gaming jurisdictions in which we operate.

Sr. Graphic Artist

We are an Australian-owned leading global entertainment company currently seeking an Artist/Illustrator to join our team-oriented group of creatives and software experts. As a senior artist in the team, you’ll conceptualize, design and develop quality graphics for new games and connect quickly and confidently with management.

A natural leader with sophisticated conceptual skills, you’ll come prepared to mentor junior staff and adeptly integrate graphics packages into an animation and software systems. You’ll come to us with relevant qualifications and significant professional graphic design experience, and strong skills in traditional and computer drawing, and layout and finishing.

This is a rare opportunity to showcase your talents as you produce interesting and varied work using cutting edge tools and technology. You’ll find great satisfaction in leading junior team members by example and developing graphics that will be released onto the international market.

Sr. Graphics Animator

You will play a key role in creating visual content. You will also be integral to the design process, from discussing the brief, right through to visualizing the concept and producing the finished product.

You will need to be a confident communicator who can discuss concepts with a wide range of people at all levels. As you will have a high level of input during frequent briefings and creative meetings. What we will look for in you is a tertiary qualification in either graphic, illustration, animation or industrial design. You will also need strong skills in both Photoshop and Illustrator and be an expert in either flash, TV Pain or 3D Studio Max. Equally important will be your confidence to design your own characters, create animation and come up with original concepts.

  • Develops characters and logos and reel symbols for gaming devices.
  • Strong drawing skills.
  • Maya, 3DStudioMax, Aftereffects knowledge a must.
  • Portfolio required.
  • Minimum of 8 years experience in drawing, good composition, graphical animation design, in computer art. 
  • Minimum 5 years experience in the gaming industry preferred.
  • Associates degree and/or vocational certification in video graphics or equivalent.

This is your chance to take on an interesting role in a vibrant and creative collaborative team environment, where you will be encouraged to maximize your creative input.

Sr. Game Mathematical Designer

We’re currently on the lookout for Sr. Game Designers to develop concepts and formulas for high-quality games that will be released on the global market.

Combining your creativity with your mathematical abilities, you’ll design new gaming concepts and follow through with the associated specifications, algorithms and combination sheets. A personable team player you will work closely with designers, artist and software engineers to brainstorm, refine, communicate and test-drive your concepts.

What we will look for in you is games design experience and leadership qualities. You will also need a degree in mathematics or similar, and the capacity to produce games on both new existing platforms. An understanding of programming in C would be advantageous.

  • Exceptional understanding of mathematical concepts in gaming.
  • Ability to create game concepts and original math models.                                                                  
  • Works with other game designers in conducting and verifying mathematic calculations.
  • Programming skills a plus.
  •  Minimum of 6 years experience in slot game design and a minimum of 3 years of Stepper game design.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering

This role offers you an excellent opportunity to see your designs released around the world. You can look forward to challenging leadership responsibilities and the chance to collaborate with some of the industry’s finest designers.

Oracle supports Microsoft

May 16, 2008

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in conversations around the topic of “Oracle vs. Microsoft”. I’ve heard both sides of the story ranging from “SQL Server for mission critical operations…are you crazy!” to “Oracle costs me my first born child…year after year!”. While these discussions are often entertaining, the line delineating the two database giants is blurring by each subsequent release.

In my years consulting for LÛCRUM, I have worked for numerous clients that have had installations of both Oracle and Microsoft running in their environments. With recent statistics estimating that Oracle controls >50% of the database market and Microsoft controlling >50% of the server operating system market, are you surprised? SQL Server only runs on Microsoft. Oracle offers more operating system versatility. While you’ll see UNIX and Linux installations, Oracle’s ability to run on Microsoft remains strong and they are improving their functionality with respect to Microsoft development. Where might an Oracle database deployed on a Microsoft server make most sense? In the small and mid-sized business market (SMB). In the SMB market, Oracle has competitively priced versions such as Oracle Database Standard Edition and Standard Edition One.

So what advantages does running Oracle on Microsoft have to offer? First, Oracle has tight integration with Active Directory and Windows Security Framework. Items such as single sign-on and security via database role and Active Directory group fall into this category. Next, Oracle offers 32-bit and 64-bit versions. In the 32-bit version, Oracle is able to utilize up to 3GB (out of a 4GB O.S. maximum) of system memory for database use. Finally, Oracle has also been working on enhancing its ability to integrate with the Windows development suite, specifically Visual Studio 2008. Oracle supports .NET in 3 ways. The Oracle Data Provider for .NET leverages ADO.NET API and allows .NET applications to access Oracle data. These APIs should be familiar to most Microsoft developers. In addition, through an add-in (free for that matter), developers can work with Oracle services via Visual Studio 2005 (and 2008 as previously mentioned). Through the development suite, developers have access to various wizards to perform various database tasks (i.e. DDL), a procedure editor (for PL/SQL procedures, packages, and functions), a Debugger for runtime error interaction, and integrated help for items such as Oracle error reference, SQL, and PL/SQL user manuals. Lastly, Oracle has integrated .NET extensions directly inside the database. This allows developers to created stored procedures and functions using C# or VB.NET within Visual Studio. This code can then be deployed to the database and referenced wherever a stored procedure or function is permitted.

Oracle has shown it is advantageous to offer solutions that fit neatly into an operating system that controls the majority of the server market, even if that vendor also happens to be a major competitor in the database market. Offer a product that is extensible and easy to use with development GUIs is sure to give you a seat at the table when it comes to choosing a solution for your organization. That is precisely why Oracle supports Microsoft (most of the time <grin>).

Dave