Manager, Engineering - Release Pipelines

About the role

Torc Robotics is seeking a highly experienced Manager to lead our Release Pipelines team. This pivotal role involves overseeing the development, management, and continuous improvement of automation workflows and build systems that are essential for our autonomous vehicle software development lifecycle. You will be responsible for ensuring that our software releases are reliable, efficient, and secure, supporting the rapid deployment of complex systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in build and release engineering, with proven leadership skills to guide a talented team of engineers. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, contributing to safety-critical systems and innovative solutions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the design, development, and enhancement of automation tools and build pipelines that support the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) processes for our autonomous vehicle software.
• Oversee the implementation of complex workflow automation solutions using Temporal, ensuring scalable and reliable automation of build, test, and deployment processes.
• Manage and optimize build systems such as Bazel, BuildStream, and other advanced build tools to achieve high-speed performance and reproducibility in software builds.
• Collaborate closely with software development teams to integrate build and release processes seamlessly into their workflows, ensuring smooth and consistent software delivery.
• Coordinate with hardware and testing teams to automate testing workflows, including hardware-in-the-loop testing, to validate software releases in real-world scenarios.
• Develop and implement strategies to maintain a secure and efficient supply chain, especially for Debian-based distributions, ensuring compliance with security standards and best practices.
• Work with third-party systems and tools, integrating them into the release pipelines to streamline project management, issue tracking, and requirements management.
• Lead efforts to automate the deployment of software updates to embedded Linux systems used in autonomous vehicles, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum reliability.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, technical excellence, and innovation within the release engineering team.
• Monitor the performance, reliability, and scalability of release pipelines, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks or issues.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for build infrastructure, aligning technical initiatives with company goals and future growth plans.
• Ensure that all release processes adhere to safety, security, and compliance standards, including ITAR regulations where applicable.
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, hardware engineers, product managers, and executive leadership, to align release strategies with organizational objectives.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies related to build automation, workflow orchestration, and software delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline, with at least 7 years of relevant experience in software engineering or release engineering.
• Minimum of 3 years in an Engineering Management role, demonstrating leadership and team development capabilities.
• Extensive experience designing, implementing, and managing build and release infrastructure for complex, safety-critical software systems.
• Strong technical expertise in build systems such as Bazel and BuildStream, with an understanding of their trade-offs and best use cases.
• Proven experience with workflow automation tools, particularly Temporal, and their application in automating complex processes.
• Familiarity with cloud computing environments, especially AWS, and experience with containerized software delivery using Docker or similar technologies.
• Knowledge of Debian-based software distributions, automation techniques for maintaining secure supply chains, and compliance with security standards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans for build infrastructure and to lead teams through technical challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, innovative environment focused on autonomous vehicle technology or related fields.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues in release pipelines.

Nice to have

• Experience working with embedded Linux systems and embedded software release challenges.
• Familiarity with the hardware-software interface in autonomous vehicle systems, including embedded hardware testing and integration.
• Knowledge of ITAR regulations and compliance requirements related to defense or automotive industries.
• Experience with continuous deployment strategies and practices for safety-critical systems.
• Background in safety standards such as ISO 26262 or similar automotive safety standards.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in automation tools and pipeline development for complex software systems.
• Proficiency with workflow automation platforms, especially Temporal, to orchestrate and automate build, test, and deployment workflows.
• Deep understanding of build systems such as Bazel and BuildStream, including their configuration and optimization.
• Experience integrating third-party systems, issue trackers, and requirements management tools into release pipelines.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, for hosting and managing build and deployment environments.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes is a plus.
• Strong scripting skills in languages such as Python, Bash, or similar to automate tasks and workflows.
• Understanding of security best practices for software supply chains and automated deployment processes.

Practical notes

Torc Robotics offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including a bonus structure and stock options. Full-time employees enjoy fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums, along with a 401K plan featuring a 6% employer match. The company provides flexible scheduling options and immediate vacation accrual, allowing employees to take time off from day one. Life insurance and AD+D coverage are included as part of the benefits package. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship or visa assistance is not provided. The company encourages qualified applicants to apply promptly, as the position may close before the listed deadline.