Release Engineer

Mozilla·Remote(Remote Canada)

Software Development

Excel

WFA Digital Insight

As the demand for skilled release engineers continues to rise, with over 25% growth in the last year, professionals with expertise in automation and CI/CD pipelines are in high demand. Mozilla, a pioneer in open-source technology, is looking for a Release Engineer to join their team. With a unique approach to technology that prioritizes user privacy and productivity, Mozilla stands out in the tech industry. Before applying, candidates should be aware that this role requires not only technical skills but also the ability to collaborate across teams and adapt to changes in the tech landscape. The current market sees a significant shift towards remote work, with over 60% of tech companies adopting remote or hybrid models, making this an exciting opportunity for those looking to work with a leading organization from anywhere.

Job Description

About the Role

The Release Engineer position at Mozilla is a critical role that involves building, maintaining, and evolving the automation systems that power Thunderbird's software releases. This includes managing workflows for automating software builds and releases, ensuring reliability, reproducibility, security, and timely delivery to millions of users worldwide. The successful candidate will join the Release Operations team, which operates at the intersection of engineering, infrastructure, and product delivery, strengthening automation systems and enabling developers to ship with confidence.

Mozilla is known for its commitment to open-source technology and user-centric approach. As a Release Engineer, you will be part of a team that values transparency, collaboration, and community involvement. The company's unique revenue model, combining community donations with subscriptions for new cloud-based services, allows it to remain independent and true to its values.

The role requires collaboration across the broader Mozilla ecosystem, adapting and integrating build system changes into Thunderbird's release pipeline, given the shared upstream technologies with Firefox. This is an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the development of privacy-respecting productivity tools that are independent of big tech ecosystems.

What You Will Do

Develop and maintain workflows for automating software builds and releases, including managing dependencies and toolchains.
Write and enhance CI/CD workflows, packaging, and installation scripts for Thunderbird on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS platforms.
Adapt changes to build scripts made by the Firefox engineering teams to Thunderbird.
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex build, test, and dependency issues in collaboration with developers and contributors.
Participate in process improvement initiatives, contribute to the evaluation and design of alternative solutions, and support ad hoc projects as required.
Collaborate with the Release Operations team to ensure builds are reliable, reproducible, secure, and delivered on time.
Engage with the global community of contributors toThunderbird, fostering an open and inclusive development environment.
Stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in software engineering and release management.
Contribute to the development of new products and services that align with Mozilla's mission and values.

What We Are Looking For

Experience with automation systems, CI/CD pipelines, and software release management.
Strong understanding of build systems, dependency management, and toolchains.
Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) and experience with CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD).
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, infrastructure, and product delivery.
Experience working in an open-source environment and contributing to community-driven projects.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with global teams.
Experience with Agile development methodologies and version control systems (e.g., Git).

Nice to Have

Experience with Thunderbird or Firefox development.
Knowledge of cloud-based services and experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure).
Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Docker) and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana).

Benefits and Perks

The opportunity to work with a leading open-source organization and contribute to the development of privacy-respecting technology.
Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a global team.
Flexible working hours and remote work options.
Access to the latest technologies and tools.
Professional development opportunities, including training and conference participation.
Competitive compensation package.
Health insurance and wellness programs.
Generous paid time off and holiday policy.

How to Stand Out

Ensure your resume highlights specific experiences with automation systems, CI/CD pipelines, and software release management.
Be prepared to discuss your approach to troubleshooting complex build and dependency issues during the interview.
Showcasing contributions to open-source projects, especially those related to Mozilla or Thunderbird, can significantly enhance your application.
Familiarize yourself with Mozilla's technology stack and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their current projects.
Demonstrating a deep understanding of user privacy and how it relates to software development can make your application stand out.
Prepare questions about the company culture, the role's challenges, and opportunities for growth within the organization to ask during the interview.

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