Business Systems Analyst IV

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Solution Architect to work within our Aeronautical Systems Finance Solutions & Services group in Poway, CA.  The person selected for this role will serve as a strategic partner to the Finance organization, translating business needs into effective process, technology, and organizational solutions. This role requires strong functional knowledge of SAP, including FI, CO, MM, PS, and GPD, as well as practical experience with monthly accounting close and/or finance reporting cycles.  

The successful candidate will understand the needs of Finance’s core internal customers and will lead or support process improvement initiatives involving people, processes, data, and technology. This individual will facilitate discussions, guide stakeholders toward optimal solutions, perform detailed data analysis to resolve complex issues, coordinate user acceptance testing, and influence decision-making across multiple levels of the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with Finance, IT, and business stakeholders to understand operational needs, pain points, audit requirements, and strategic objectives.  Applying functional expertise in SAP modules including Financial Accounting (FI), Controlling (CO), Materials Management (MM), Project System (PS), and Grouping, Pegging, and Distribution (GPD)
• Translate business requirements into practical, scalable solution designs that align people, processes, data, and technology.
• Use firsthand experience with monthly accounting close and finance reporting cycles to assess solution architecture implications to recommend and prioritize improvements.
• Perform ad hoc, detailed data analysis across fragmented systems & reports to investigate discrepancies, unwind highly complex problems, answer audit questions, validate financial information, identify root causes and propose viable corrective action plans.
• Lead or support process-improvement projects from planning through implementation, including scope definition, requirements gathering, design recommendations, risk management, stakeholder communication, and delivery.
• Coordinate or conduct user acceptance testing, including test planning, scenario development, execution, defect tracking, data validation, and business sign-off.
• Evaluate current-state processes and recommend improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, compliance, transparency, and/or user experience.
• Coach and mentor team members and stakeholders through process changes and continuous improvement efforts.
• Communicate effectively with individual contributors, managers, executives, and other levels of leadership.
• Influence stakeholders across organizational boundaries without relying solely on formal authority.
• Develop process documentation, data analysis summaries, audit responses, business cases, solution recommendations, presentations, and implementation plans.
• Support change management, training, and adoption activities for new or improved processes and systems.
• Promote standardization, data integrity, and continuous improvement across Finance solutions and processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
 

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree and ten or more years of technical experience working with computerized financial, accounting, purchasing, payroll, human resources, manufacturing, or other business related systems. May substitute equivalent experience in lieu of education.
• Strong functional knowledge of SAP FI, CO, MM, PS, and GPD.
• Practical experience participating in or managing monthly accounting close and/or finance reporting activities.
• Must be experienced in leading and coordinating interactions between business system end-users and technical staff.
• Must possess strong functional and technical analytic problem-solving skills.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with both technical and non-technical resources as well as all levels of the corporate enterprise.
• Experience working with data reconciliation, data quality, master data, financial controls, audit requirements, compliance and/or management reporting.
• Experience with SAP integration across Finance, Supply Chain, and Project Management functions.
• Experience developing project plans, process maps, test strategies, data validation procedures, and implementation roadmaps.
• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defense, or other complex project-based environment.
• Proficient with various software suites including but not limited to: MS Office, MS Visio, MS Power BI, SQL or equivalent technologies.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team is essential.
• Must be able to work extended hours and travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or comparable certification (e.g., CSM).
• SAP certification or relevant SAP implementation experience.