Build and Release Engineer (DevOps)
At a glance
Mid-level DevOps & Release role at northwoodspace. Los Angeles · full-time · $130,000–$197,000 base.
devopsroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Maintain repeatable builds across cloud services, embedded firmware and FPGA gateware, improving caching, speed and cross-platform support
- Create reusable GitLab CI components with quick checks up front, then use data to reduce slowdowns and flaky runs
- Set up consistent developer environments and automate releases from development through production, including signing and supply-chain checks
- Track build and CI performance, share developer productivity measures, and use them to guide tooling priorities
- Help engineers resolve build failures and pipeline issues, turning repeat problems into lasting fixes
What you bring
- A degree in computer science, engineering or a related area, or equivalent practical experience
- At least three years in build engineering, DevOps, CI/CD, developer productivity or platform engineering
- Hands-on ownership of CI pipelines for a multi-team codebase, using GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Buildkite or a similar system
- Python and shell scripting skills, ability to work with Rust or C/C++ projects, and a solid grasp of containers, Linux and Git
- Examples of diagnosing and improving builds that were slow or unreliable
Who this fits
This mid-level role suits an engineer who wants to build shared tooling for FPGA, embedded, DSP, cloud and ground teams. It is based in Los Angeles. You must meet the stated U.S. space-technology export eligibility conditions.
From the employer
About Northwood:
Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.
Role
Northwood's engineers ship software to the cloud and to ground stations in the field. We're looking for a Developer Experience Engineer to own the build system, CI pipelines, test harness integrations, and developer environments that FPGA, embedded, DSP, cloud, and ground teams use every day. You will build the paved paths those teams adopt for their own targets, measure how fast and reliably they get from commit to release, and strive to make that number better. This role sits within the Platform team and works with every engineering discipline at Northwood.
Responsibilities
Own the build system: reproducibility, caching, build times, and cross-platform targets spanning cloud services, embedded firmware, and FPGA gateware.
Design and maintain reusable GitLab CI templates and pipeline components, with fast early checks ahead of expensive builds and tests, and drive down flakiness and cycle time with data.
Build reproducible developer environments so new engineers are productive on day one.
Implement release automation and promotion mechanics from development through staging to production, including artifact signing and supply chain checks.
Instrument the build and CI system, publish developer productivity metrics, and use them to prioritize the tooling roadmap.
Support engineers on build and pipeline issues and turn recurring problems into permanent fixes.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
3+ years of experience in build engineering, DevOps, CI/CD, developer productivity, or platform engineering.
Hands-on experience owning CI pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Buildkite, or similar) for a multi-team codebase.
Proficiency in Python and shell scripting; ability to read and build Rust or C/C++ projects.
Solid understanding of containers, Linux, and Git workflows.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose and fix slow or unreliable builds, with specific examples.
Preferred Qualifications
Production experience with Nix, OCI, and hermetic build systems.
Experience with cross-compilation and embedded or FPGA toolchains.
Experience with remote build caching and distributed builds.
Familiarity with software supply chain security tooling, SAST, DAST, and SBOMs.
Exposure to Kubernetes, ArgoCD, or GitOps deployment patterns.
Experience in a regulated environment (CMMC, NIST 800-171, or similar) where build provenance matters.
Additional Information:
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
DevOps & Release work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.
Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.
DevOps & Release$130k+
Find me workBy the team behind devopsroles.