Senior Release Engineer

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Requisition ID:

Job Description:

Your Platform

Activision Central Tech works to support our development studios and their titles. Comprised of seven main teams, we have many specialties including data, privacy and security, motion capture and animation pipeline technologies, graphics, build and infrastructure for studio development and data centers, optimization, systems programming and online services including matchmaking and networking. We are distributed globally with offices across the U.S., and in Canada, England, Ireland and Japan.

Most of our teams are comprised of both engineering and research talent, allowing us to always have an eye on the future. Our dedicated engineers help with title development and provide valuable collaboration between studios while our researchers make things happen and keep a strong connection with the needs of the game studios.

Central Tech is part of Activision. To learn more about us and our research, please visit us at https://research.activision.com/.

Your Mission

Are you ready to make a massive impact in the gaming world? Activision is looking for a rockstar Senior Release Engineer to join our elite team! If you’re all about building seamless workflows and want to be at the heart of delivering legendary game franchises to millions of players worldwide, this is your moment. We're passionate about always putting players first and delivering uncompromising quality, and we hope you’re too! As a member of our team, you'll be at the intersection between tech, business, and production, always ensuring we smash our goals and deliver top-notch experiences for our playing communities every single time. Join forces with our Devs, QA, Commercial, and Ops teams and help take games from concept to launch—and beyond! 

At Activision, we believe in nurturing talent and providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. As a Senior Release Engineer, you'll have the chance to:

• Expand Your Skills: Work with cutting-edge technologies and tools, enhancing your technical expertise.
• Lead Initiatives: Take part on critical projects, and flex your technical skills, and demonstrate your full potential.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Gain exposure to various facets of the gaming industry by working closely with the best teams in the industry.
• Innovate: Contribute to innovative solutions and improvements that impact millions of players.
• Advance Your Career: Benefit from our commitment to continuous learning and development, with clear pathways for career advancement.

Join us and take your career to the next level while shaping the future of gaming.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in architecting, configuring, and administrating games on major platforms (PC experience preferred, including Steam, Battle.net, Microsoft Store, Ubisoft Connect, Epic Games Store).
• Proven ability to handle multiple high-profile projects simultaneously and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in a fast-paced, agile environment with a focus on continuous improvement.

Track Record:

• At least two shipped AAA titles, showcasing your ability to manage and deliver complex projects from start to finish.
• A history of taking initiative and driving projects to completion with minimal supervision.
• Experience in the full game development lifecycle, from pre-production to post-release support.

Communication:

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), enabling you to collaborate effectively with cross-functional diverse teams.
• Ability to translate technical jargon into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to larger groups of leaders and partners.

Technical Skills:

• Comfortable working with or in mature build pipelines and build infrastructure at scale.
• Proficiency in using CI/CD tools and managing automated build systems.
• Deep understanding of source control management, branching strategies, and build/release management best practices.
• Proficiency in Python or a similar scripting language, enabling you to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.
• Experience in writing and maintaining deployment scripts and other automation tools.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new scripting languages and tools as needed.

Problem-Solving:

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues under pressure.
• Experience in identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions to optimize the release process.
• Ability to think critically and strategically to anticipate and mitigate risks.

Automation & Security:

• A strong interest in automation and security, with a focus on streamlining processes and ensuring the integrity of releases.
• Knowledge of security best practices in software development and release management.

Passion for Gaming:

• A love for games and a deep understanding of the gaming industry, with a keen interest in staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• A gamer at heart, with a passion for creating and delivering exceptional gaming experiences.

Bonus Points

• Experience configuring and monitoring content delivery networks to ensure efficient and reliable distribution of game updates and content.
• Knowledge of best practices for optimizing CDN performance and troubleshooting issues.
• Experience writing PC installers, including creating custom installation packages and managing dependencies.
• Familiarity with popular installer frameworks and tools.
• Background in C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, Django, and React, demonstrating your versatility and ability to work with a wide range of technologies.
• Experience in developing and maintaining web-based tools and applications to support the release management process.
• Experience in other areas of video game technology.
• Ability to contribute to other technical aspects of game development as needed.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.