What does a build-release engineer do?
Build and release engineers are computer engineering professionals who work on a variety of software development projects in which each version and release of computer software is tested for performance and reliability. These engineers must work with developers, clients, and project managers to determine the functional requirements of the software and then use various programming languages to test and deploy the software. They are required to examine changes in the source code whether to incorporate them into the release. Build and release engineers must also lead bug fixing and troubleshooting for each version of the software.
Build-release engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real build-release engineer resumes:
- Create scripts in bash to automate the build release processes and debug build failures.
- Work on creation of puppet manifest files to install tomcat instances and to manage configuration files for multiple applications.
- Develop python scripts to automate applications migration and monitor application health during migration.
- Used SharePoint application and implementing tools that help organizations manage processes and data.
- Manage TCP/IP setup network communications, network cabling and troubleshooting all network connectivity issues.
- Learned UNIX base server administration, research and implement and oversee source control repository, backup technologies, and application servers.
- Write, debug and maintain scripts in bash, Perl etc.
- Experience with writing Perl, PowerShell, shell scripts.
- Create and give project base authorization to the DEV team.
- Co-Design and implement a build process portal in ASP.NET and PowerShell.
- Experience writing cookbooks in ruby language, and testing in the kitchen.
- Perform configuring feature base development code lines with require DEV and QAT environments.
- Forward plan the release windows, scope and road blocks across the integrated platform and product teams.
- Work on configuring elk stack to forward logs from Jenkins to elk and setup automation to send alerts.
- Work on ruby and/or rails stuff for internal and external projects with lexical analyzer, bison parser, and interpreter.
Build-release engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Build-Release Engineers are proficient in Python, GIT, and Jenkins. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Build-Release Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 7%
Completed and distributed PowerShell and python based scripts to automate Windows, Linux server administration and security compliance tasks.
- GIT, 7%
Configured GIT repositories with application code and maintained code for multiple applications.
- Jenkins, 6%
Installed/Configured/Managed Jenkins CI Automation and used as a continuous integration tool for automation of daily process.
- Java, 5%
Facilitated web java application integrated user interface and load performance testing via Selenium IDE, Selenium Web Driver.
- Linux, 4%
Developed procedures to unify, streamline and automate application development and deployment procedures with Linux Container technology using Docker.
- Jira, 3%
Experience with defining and creating usable and customer friendly, intuitive interfaces to the JIRA tool in a paced evolving environment.
Common skills that a build-release engineer uses to do their job include "python," "git," and "jenkins." You can find details on the most important build-release engineer responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a build-release engineer to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." Build-release engineers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "worked in building object oriented applications using c and java, writing shell scripts on unix. "
Interpersonal skills. Many build-release engineer duties rely on interpersonal skills. "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.," so a build-release engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways build-release engineer responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "required: project management skills and interpersonal skills along with overall engineering understanding. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for build-release engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how build-release engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a build-release engineer: "performed svn to git migration with careful analysis and migrated all branches, tags along with commit history using git-svn utility. ".
Communication skills. For certain build-release engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a build-release engineer rely on this skill, as "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what build-release engineers do: "used jni for communication between c++ and java. "
Creativity. Another crucial skill for a build-release engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what build-release engineers relies on this skill, since "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." How this skill relates to build-release engineer duties can be seen in an example from a build-release engineer resume snippet: "used aws ansible python script to generate inventory and push the deployments. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill commonly found on build-release engineer job descriptions is "problem-solving skills." It can come up quite often in build-release engineer duties, since "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day build-release engineer responsibilities: "involved in documenting the solutions of the conflicts in svn for future use. "
The three companies that hire the most build-release engineers are:
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Compare different build-release engineers
Build-release engineer vs. Sql server developer
A structured query language (SQL) server developer is a specialist who is tasked to develop and maintain systems to store, organize, and access databases. With their experience in data architect and management, SQL server developers can develop and scale SQL databases based on the needs of their organization. They conduct troubleshooting in databases which involve data validation and extensive testing to ensure that the end user's specifications are met. They are also involved in the maintenance of the organization's server.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a build-release engineer are more likely to require skills like "python," "git," "java," and "linux." On the other hand, a job as an sql server developer requires skills like "database objects," "sql server analysis," "ssrs," and "ssis packages." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Sql server developers earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $95,274. On the other hand, build-release engineers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $107,418.On average, sql server developers reach higher levels of education than build-release engineers. Sql server developers are 8.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Build-release engineer vs. Developer/consultant
A developer/consultant is responsible for developing system databases and applications, depending on the business' needs and clients' specifications. Developers/consultants design their services to manage optimal performance and maximize productivity for timely submission of projects, ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. They also handle clients' inquiries and concerns, informing them about necessary adjustments to improve strategic procedures and processes. A developer/consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, as well as extensive experience with the technology industry.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real build-release engineer resumes. While build-release engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "git," "jira," "continuous integration environment," and "ant," developer/consultants use skills like "project management," "javascript," "hr," and "jquery."
Developer/consultants may earn a lower salary than build-release engineers, but developer/consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $101,340. On the other hand, build-release engineers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,418.In general, developer/consultants achieve higher levels of education than build-release engineers. They're 7.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for build-release engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Build-release engineer vs. Software developer
A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from build-release engineer resumes include skills like "continuous integration environment," "ant," "infrastructure," and "configuration management," whereas a software developer is more likely to list skills in "c++," "software development," "javascript," and "api. "
Software developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $96,138. Comparatively, build-release engineers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $107,418.When it comes to education, software developers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to build-release engineers. In fact, they're 5.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Build-release engineer vs. Applications developer
An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between build-release engineers and applications developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a build-release engineer might have more use for skills like "python," "continuous integration environment," "ant," and "infrastructure." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of applications developers require skills like "javascript," "c++," "html," and "application development. "
The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for applications developers, with average annual pay of $103,905. Comparatively, the highest build-release engineer annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, applications developers hold similar degree levels compared to build-release engineers. Applications developers are 4.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of build-release engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
