A Build and Release Engineer is a professional who plays a critical role in the software development life cycle by managing the build and release processes of software applications. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of software products, from code compilation to deployment. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Build and Release Engineers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Build and Release Engineer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Build and Release Engineer:

Assist in

Assist in scripting efforts across Linux OS environments.

Audit

Audit and maintain business listings and location directories across the web.

Automate

• Automate testing to ensure secure and complaint systems.

• Automate the build, test, and deployment processes.

• Automate the SW Build and Release process using common build automation tools.

Build

• Build meaningful metrics and reports to show health of various systems.

• Build software development infrastructure and pipelines models.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with development teams to define build requirements.

• Collaborate with DevOps teams to integrate build and release processes with infrastructure automation.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather release requirements and timelines.

Conduct

• Conduct code merges and resolve conflicts.

• Conduct release retrospectives and identify areas for improvement.

Configure

• Configure and administer new jobs on Jenkins and Udeploy tools.

• Configure and maintain the version control system (GIT).

Consult

Consult on UNIX Shell Scripting and Job automations and Scheduling on AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, Linux.

Contribute

Contribute innovative ideas for multiple module architecture.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and manage software releases and hotfixes.

• Coordinate with testing teams to ensure proper test coverage.

• Coordinate with tools development team to ensure mobile team's CI / CD to be flawlessly operate.

Create

• Create and maintain documentation related to the build and release processes.

• Create and manage release branches.

• Create build framework for our engineer to easily test their change on the CI system.

Define

Define product internal / external interfaces.

Design

• Design and configure our platform based on unique business requirements.

• Design and develop infrastructure monitoring and reporting tools.

• Design and develop new software product features.

• Design and implement build and release pipelines.

Develop

• Develop and improve automated tests for the creation of installation packages.

• Develop and maintain scripts for automated build and deployment.

• Develop complex, multiple modules of code independently.

• Develop infrastructure automation solutions using scripting, Ansible and other automation tools.

• Develop utility to allow engineers to setup standardized development environment quickly.

Document

Document build standards and release procedures.

Ensure

• Ensure BCP and DR activities are compliant.

• Ensure compliance with software configuration management standards.

Govern

Govern the Patching schedule for our servers to ensure compliance and limit impacts.

Help

• Help build and maintain critical infrastructure for the Build and Release Pipeline.

• Help troubleshoot issues in the software build, test, and deploy process.

Implement

• Implement a continuous integration strategy for Mobile Applications for both iOS and Android.

• Implement and enforce code signing and digital certificate processes.

• Implement and maintain build notifications and status reporting.

• Implement and maintain code analysis solutions (SonarQube, Artifactory).

• Implement release branching and tagging strategies.

• Implement security measures and best practices for software delivery.

• Implement versioning and release numbering schemes.

Improve

• Improve our build tools to make sure our build release process more efficient and reliable.

• Improve star ratings and search result rankings.

Integrate

Integrate and test new versions of Visual Studio, XCode, iOS SDK and Android SDK.

Interface with

Interface with other functional groups, evaluate and recommend tools.

Lead

Lead best-practices for building, testing, and releasing software.

Maintain

• Maintain and enhance our build system.

• Maintain and enhance the build infrastructure and tools.

Make

Make operational changes to improve customer experience.

Manage

• Manage all day-to-day operational and tactical aspects of our platform and related projects.

• Manage and deploy configuration files and environment-specific settings.

• Manage dependencies and external libraries.

• Manage our Git integrations.

• Manage social media engagement and advertising.

• Manage software release artifacts and maintain release repositories.

• Manage version control systems and repositories.

Maximize

Maximize customer retention and revenue.

Monitor

• Monitor and manage third-party dependencies and licenses.

• Monitor and optimize build and release performance.

• Monitor and troubleshoot build failures and deployment issues.

• Monitor, request and respond to online reviews.

Oversee

Oversee infrastructure deployments for server and hardware refresh efforts.

Participate

• Participate in the evaluation and selection of build and release tools.

• Participate to improve mobile team's CI / CD workflow.

Perform

• Perform build, release and manage build environment for iOS and Android Platforms.

• Perform code reviews and ensure code quality standards.

• Perform continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices.

Provide

• Provide sufficient and continuous documentation for the platform.

• Provide technical guidance and support to development teams.

Research

Research problems and develop solutions.

Review

Review processes to identify gaps in design and / or execution.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends in build and release engineering.

Support

• Support environment management functions for network and application releases.

• Support intake effort for standing up AI implementation environments.

• Support our CI and source control systems.

Track

• Track record of identifying useful new technologies and incorporating them into SW development flows.

• Track record of improving the stability and efficiency of builds and deployments.

Train

Train and mentor developers on the use of the automated infrastructure.

Triage

Triage troubleshooting efforts for pre production activities.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot build related issues.

Use

Use ClearCase or Git as the Version Control system to manage developer workflow.

Work with

• Work as an active contributor to a SW project involving many developers.

• Work closely with QA teams to integrate automated testing as a part of CI / CD.

• Work with engineering teams to design sustainable deployment packaging and automation systems.

• Work with the Development teams to design and support our UC platform as a whole.

• Work with the release and change managers to mitigate risks within each release cycle.

Write

Write complete functional and design specs independently.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Build and Release Engineer:

1. Proficiency in build automation tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, or Azure DevOps.

2. Strong knowledge of version control systems such as Git or Subversion.

3. Experience with build tools like Maven, Gradle, or Ant.

4. Familiarity with containerization technologies like Docker.

5. Understanding of configuration management tools like Ansible or Puppet.

6. Knowledge of scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or PowerShell.

7. Expertise in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices.

8. Understanding of software development methodologies like Agile or DevOps.

9. Experience with build and release management tools like JFrog Artifactory or Nexus.

10. Proficiency in working with different operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.

11. Knowledge of infrastructure automation tools like Terraform or Chef.

12. Understanding of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.

13. Familiarity with virtualization technologies like VMware or VirtualBox.

14. Experience with code analysis and quality assurance tools.

15. Knowledge of software packaging and distribution processes.

16. Understanding of network protocols and web technologies.

17. Proficiency in build and release troubleshooting and debugging.

18. Familiarity with software testing frameworks and methodologies.

19. Knowledge of security practices and secure software delivery.

20. Understanding of software deployment strategies and rollback procedures.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Build and Release Engineer:

1. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

2. Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

3. Effective communication and collaboration skills.

4. Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

5. Strong organizational and time management skills.

6. Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies.

7. Team player with the ability to work collaboratively.

8. Proactive and self-motivated approach to work.

9. Strong documentation and reporting skills.

10. Ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines.

Conclusion

As a Build and Release Engineer, you play a vital role in ensuring the successful and efficient delivery of software products. By managing the build and release processes, you contribute to the overall quality, stability, and timely deployment of software applications. Your technical expertise in build automation, version control, scripting, and CI/CD practices is crucial for streamlining the development and release cycles.