Overview
Job Purpose/SummaryThe Release Lead is responsible for managing end-to-end software releases for MES applications built on .NET, .NET MVC, .NET Core, and SQL Server. The role ensures high-quality and timely deployments by maintaining source code repositories, enforcing strong code-review practices for 40+ developers, managing CI/CD pipelines, and continuously improving deployment processes. The Release Lead will collaborate closely with development, QA, and infrastructure teams to ensure stable, secure, and optimized releases across all environments.
Key Responsibilities
üRelease & Deployment Management
- Plan, coordinate, and execute deployments for applications developed in .NET, .NET MVC, .NET Core, and SQL Server across Dev, QA, UAT, Pre-Prod, and Production environments.
- Manage deployment activities on CI/CD pipelines or manual deployments on virtual machines/IIS.
- Ensure proper deployment scripts, SQL scripts, rollback plans, and release documentation.
üCode Review & Repository Governance
- Perform detailed code reviews for .NET MVC and .NET Core applications, ensuring code quality, security, and adherence to coding standards.
- Maintain Git repositories, branching strategies, merging patterns, and ensure clean code commits.
- Support developers in resolving merge conflicts and following best practices.
üCI/CD Pipeline Ownership
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines for .NET / .NET Core builds, SQL scripts execution, automated testing, and deployments.
- Optimize build pipelines to ensure stable, quick, and error-free releases.
- Monitor build failures and ensure early resolution.
üProcess Improvement & Innovation
- Identify opportunities to reduce deployment time and increase release reliability for .NET-based applications.
- Implement automation for build, testing, and deployment of code and SQL scripts.
- Propose innovations to improve CI/CD maturity and reduce manual efforts.
üQuality & Compliance
- Ensure releases of .NET applications meet coding standards, security guidelines, and performance expectations.
- Collaborate with QA to ensure environment readiness and test coverage.
- Maintain audit logs, release notes, and compliance documentation.
üStakeholder Collaboration
- Coordinate with .NET development teams, QA leads, DBAs, and product owners for smooth releases.
- Communicate release schedules, risks, and impacts clearly to stakeholders.
- Provide guidance to 40+ developers on code quality, repository hygiene, and release readiness.
üRelease Quality & Reliability
- Release Success Rate % of releases deployed without rollback, failure, or critical issues.
- Post-Deployment Issues Number of defects or incidents reported within 48 hours after deployment.
- Rollback Frequency Reduction in rollback or hotfix deployments.
üDeployment Efficiency
- Deployment Time Reduction Improvement in end-to-end deployment time for .NET, .NET Core, SQL components.
- Automation Coverage % of deployment tasks automated through CI/CD pipelines (build, test, deploy).
- Build & Deployment Error Rate Number of failed builds/deployments caused by configuration, script, or manual errors.
üCode Review Effectiveness
- Code Review Coverage % of code reviewed across 40+ developers for .NET MVC / .NET Core applications.
- Code Quality Index Based on static code analysis tools like SonarQube (bugs, vulnerabilities, code smells).
- Merge Conflict Resolution Time Average time taken to resolve repository conflicts.
üRepository & Branch Management
- Branch Hygiene Compliance Adherence to defined branching strategy (main, dev, feature, hotfix).
- Commit Quality Compliance % of commits aligned with required standards (naming, documentation, comments).
- Repository Stability Reduction in repository issues, broken branches, or merge errors.
üCI/CD Performance
- Pipeline Stability % of successful pipeline runs vs. failures.
- Pipeline Optimization Reduction in average pipeline execution time (build + test + deploy).
- CI/CD Availability Uptime and reliability of automated build & deployment pipelines.
üStakeholder Satisfaction & Collaboration
- Stakeholder Feedback Score Feedback from developers, QA, product owners, and leadership on release smoothness.
- Communication Effectiveness Timeliness and clarity of release notes, schedules, and risk updates.
üContinuous Improvement & Innovation
- Number of Process Improvements Delivered Improvements related to automation, deployment optimization, or best practices.
- Reduction in Manual Activities % reduction in manual deployment or review tasks replaced by automation.
- Adoption of New Tools/Practices Implementation and successful use of new release or CI/CD enhancements.
Education
üBE/BTech in Computer Engineering / IT, MCA, ME (Computer/IT) or equivalent.
Technical Skills
ü4–8+ years of experience in release management, DevOps, or build engineering.
üExperience in .NET MVC / .NET Core, SQL Server, and Windows/VM-based deployments.
Functional Skills / Competencies – Release Lead
Core Technical Competencies
- Strong hands-on experience in .NET, .NET MVC, .NET Core, and SQL Server application structure and deployment.
- Expertise in maintaining Git repositories, branching strategies (GitFlow/Feature Branching), pull requests, and merge management.
- Proficiency in CI/CD pipeline setup and maintenance using Azure DevOps, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, or GitHub Actions.
- Strong understanding of IIS, Windows Server, and virtual machine–based deployment processes.
- Ability to create, modify, and troubleshoot deployment scripts (PowerShell, Batch, YAML, SQL scripts).
- Experience with DevOps practices, build automation, and environment configuration.
- Strong understanding of build processes for .NET and .NET Core applications, including NuGet package management.
- Experience in performing in-depth code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards, security, and performance guidelines.
- Knowledge of static code analysis tools (SonarQube, Fortify, Checkmarx) and interpreting code quality reports.
- Experience in managing SQL deployments, versioning of scripts, stored procedures, and schema updates.
- Ability to enforce code quality, coding standards, and secure coding practices.
- Familiarity with release governance, documentation standards, and audit requirements.
- Strong understanding of environment management, configuration baselines, and compliance processes.
- Deep understanding of SDLC, Agile, and Scrum methodologies.
- Ability to implement automation to reduce manual steps in build, release, and deployment.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for build failures, deployment issues, and integration errors.
- Capability to identify process gaps, propose improvement ideas, and drive optimization initiatives.
- Experience managing release calendars, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring release readiness.
- Strong ability to collaborate with development teams, QA, infrastructure, and product owners.
- Skilled in tracking dependencies, managing release risks, and aligning with overall project timelines.
- Ability to guide and support 40+ developers in repository best practices and code management.
Ownership & Accountability
- Takes full responsibility for release outcomes, quality, and timelines.
- Demonstrates strong commitment to delivering stable and reliable deployments.
- Proactively identifies risks and takes timely action to prevent issues.
- Communicates clearly and professionally with developers, QA, infrastructure teams, and leadership.
- Provides timely updates on release status, risks, dependencies, and impacts.
- Able to explain technical issues in simple language for non-technical stakeholders.
- Works effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth release cycles.
- Encourages collaboration across development, QA, and operations.
- Supports and guides 40+ developers in maintaining code quality and repository discipline.
- Makes data-driven decisions, especially when evaluating risks or approving deployments.
- Demonstrates strong analytical skills to troubleshoot build and deployment failures.
- Stays calm under pressure, especially during critical release windows.
- Leads release activities with confidence and clarity.
- Influences developers to follow best practices in code review, branching, and CI/CD.
- Able to say “No” or “Not Now” with data when a change is risky or not release-ready.
- Always looks for opportunities to improve processes, reduce deployment time, and increase automation.
- Encourages innovation and best practices within the release and DevOps space.
- Learns new tools and concepts quickly and shares knowledge with the team.
- Ensures accuracy in release notes, deployment scripts, versioning, and environment validation.
- Double-checks critical steps to avoid deployment failures or data loss.
- Maintains high standards for code quality and release readiness.
- Quickly adapts to changes in tools, technologies, and priorities.
- Handles last-minute fixes, escalations, or urgent deployments professionally.
- Maintains a positive attitude even in stressful release cycles.