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Director Release Engineering

Role overview

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field
  • 10 years of relevant experience in DevOps, release engineering, software delivery, quality assurance, IT operations, software engineering, or related technology disciplines
  • 5 years of progressive leadership or people management experience

Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end release lifecycle across products and platforms to ensure predictable, high-quality software releases
  • Establish release management processes, governance, and communication practices that align stakeholder expectations
  • Define and implement quality engineering strategies, standards, automation, and quality metrics
  • Drive collaboration among development, quality assurance, infrastructure, and operations teams

Key facts

Hard skills

Other skills

  • Quality Assurance
  • Communication
  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Team Leadership
  • Collaboration

About the company

Patterson Companies, Inc. logo

Patterson Companies, Inc.

Wholesale Distribution

Patterson strengthens the oral and animal health markets in North America and the United Kingdom. From small, private practices to large group networks and production operations, we guide our customers with bold solutions and a personal touch. We are much more than a distributor – we are an indispensable partner. Patterson Dental has strengthened the dental industry since our company’s founding in 1877. Today, Patterson Dental continues to partner with dental practices of all sizes to provide expertise, products, technologies and services needed to grow productive, modern practices, and keep them running smoothly. No other company supports the animal health market like Patterson. We entered the animal health industry in 2001 with our acquisition of Webster Veterinary and expanded with our 2015 acquisition of Animal Health International, Inc. We provide all the technology, products, expertise and solutions needed to deliver exceptional animal care and drive profitability across the companion, production and equine markets. An Equal Opportunity Employer As a people-first company, Patterson promotes a culture that embodies and celebrates diversity and inclusivity. We believe our employees’ unique experiences and differences are what strengthen us and drive our success. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. We are Patterson. We welcome you. Disability Accommodation If you require reasonable accommodation due to a disability for any part of the hiring process, you may submit your request to HR by calling 1-866-234-2165 or by email to jobs@pattersoncompanies.com. You can also mail your request to Patterson Companies, Inc. Attn: HR EEO Coordinator, 1031 Mendota Heights Rd, St. Paul, MN, 55120. Information received will be routed to a representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration of your request.

Company details

Company typeXLarge
IndustryWholesale Distribution
Company size5001 - 10000

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Job description

Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.

One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.

Date Last Edited: 10/16/2026 9:07:10 AM

Job Summary
The Director, Release Engineering is responsible for leading the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of release engineering, DevOps, owning the end-to-end software delivery and release lifecycle. This role is accountable for establishing release, deployment, and quality frameworks that align development, quality assurance, and IT operations teams while ensuring system integrity, availability, and operational performance. This role leads managers and technical teams, shaping functional direction, and balancing speed of delivery with quality, stability, security, and compliance while driving continuous improvement across the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Essential Functions

  • Lead the end-to-end release lifecycle across products and platforms to ensure predictable, high-quality software releases that maintain system stability while minimizing delivery risk and operational disruption
  • Establish release management processes, governance, and communication practices that align stakeholder expectations to ensure improve release readiness, transparency, and stakeholder alignment
  • Lead the design and adoption of automated deployment, provisioning, configuration management, source code management, and collaboration capabilities that enable scalable and efficient software delivery
  • Define and implement quality engineering strategies, standards, automation, and quality metrics that ensure reliable software delivery while increasing test coverage and accelerating feedback cycles.
  • Enable faster, data-driven release decisions through effective quality measurement and risk-based quality management practices
  • Oversee the development, maintenance, and optimization of testing tools, test plans, test data, and quality assurance practices to improve testing effectiveness and reduce delivery risk
  • Drive collaboration among development, quality assurance, infrastructure, and operations teams to strengthen integration, resolve complex delivery challenges, and improve end-to-end release outcomes
  • Lead and optimize DevOps platforms, tools, and delivery infrastructure to enable secure, reliable, and efficient software build, release, and deployment processes
  • Evaluate, adopt, and optimize emerging technologies, including AI-assisted engineering and testing solutions, to improve software quality, delivery efficiency, and team productivity
  • Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned


People Management

  • Accountable for team staffing and managing direct reports to include development, performance management, goal setting, and other managerial duties
  • Ensures direct reports are aware of and follow ethical business practices and Company’s Code of Conduct to maintain a supportive and productive working environment.


Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 10 years of relevant experience in DevOps, release engineering, software delivery, quality assurance, IT operations, software engineering, or related technology disciplines
  • 5 years of progressive leadership or people management experience


Preferred Requirements

  • Experience leading enterprise-scale DevOps, release management, or software quality organizations
  • Experience implementing CI/CD, automation, cloud-based delivery platforms, and deployment governance frameworks
  • Experience leading large cross-functional technology initiatives involving development, quality assurance, infrastructure, and operations teams


Skills and Abilities

  • Extensive knowledge of DevOps, release engineering, software development lifecycle, quality assurance, and IT operations practices
  • Ability to develop and execute strategic and operational plans that support organizational technology objectives
  • Ability to lead managers and technical teams through complex initiatives, competing priorities, and organizational change
  • Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve critical operational and delivery issues
  • Knowledge of software testing methodologies, testing tools, deployment automation, source code management, and configuration management practices
  • Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences



Physical and Cognitive Demands

  • Communicate/Hearing Frequently
  • Communicate/Talking Frequently
  • Learn New Tasks or Concepts Frequently
  • Make Timely Decisions in the Context of a Workflow Frequently
  • Complete Tasks Independently Constantly
  • Maintain Focus Constantly
  • Remember Processes & Procedures Constantly
  • Stationary Position (Seated) Constantly
  • Vision Constantly
  • Hand/Eye Coordination Occasionally
  • Bend Rarely
  • Complete Tasks in a Noisy Environment Rarely
  • Feeling/Grasping/Handling Rarely
  • Move/Traverse Rarely
  • Repetitive Motions Rarely


Working Environment

  • Hazards Occasionally

Environmental Conditions

  • Office: This position primarily operates in a professional office environment in which team members occupy desks in assigned areas or at meeting/collaboration spaces within the building. The building's primary work areas consist of desks, chairs, computers, and other office equipment and devices for professional services.
  • Remote: This position primarily completes work from a remote setting, most commonly, a home office. This may be referenced as flexible workplace.


Travel Requirements

  • This position requires occasional travel (up to 10%)

What's In It For You:

We provide competitive benefits, unique incentive programs and rewards for our eligible employees:

  • Full Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits and an integrated Wellness Program

  • 401(k) Match Retirement Savings Plan

  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

  • Holiday Pay & Floating Holidays

  • Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

  • Educational Assistance Program

  • Full Paid Parental and Adoption Leave

  • LifeWorks (Employee Assistance Program)

  • Patterson Perks Program

The potential compensation range for this role is below. The final offer amount could exceed this range, based on various factors such as candidate location (geographical labor market), experience, and skills.

$157,300.00 - $209,833.33

EEO Statement

Patterson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

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Marcus Rivera

Chief Revenue Officer

m.rivera@company.com
linkedin.com/in/marcusrivera
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