Salesforce DevOps Specialist - Release Manager

Position Summary:
We are seeking an experienced Salesforce DevOps Engineer to support development, testing, and deployment by automating CI/CD pipelines, workflows, managing version control (e.g., Git), and maintaining data integrity within Salesforce environments. You will manage the pipeline security and support the end-to-end releases for multiple Salesforce orgs. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including development, QA, and business stakeholders, to support and execute the releases, weekly, 3-week, and project-based releases. You will also be responsible for back-promoting changes across lower-level orgs to ensure that all environments remain in sync.
As the Salesforce DevOps Engineer, you will be responsible for bridging development and IT operations to enable faster, safer releases using tools like Copado or Gearset, while managing metadata, enforcing best practices, and ensuring environment synchronization. You will be mentoring project team members when needed and ultimately ensuring that our multiple Salesforce orgs stay in sync and healthy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• CI/CD Pipeline: Own and optimize the CI/CD pipeline for Salesforce development, leveraging tools such as Copado to enable efficient, automated, and reliable deployment processes.
• Copado Pipeline Management: Design, configure, and maintain deployment pipelines to promote metadata and code across Salesforce environments, maximizing automation and ensuring consistency throughout the release lifecycle.
• This is a Remote (work from home) position.
• Version Control & Source Control: Manage branching strategies, commit code changes, and oversee merge processes using platforms such as GitHub, ensuring code integrity, traceability, and effective team collaboration.
• Environment Management: Maintain synchronization across development, testing (sandbox), and production environments, including data seeding activities. Support sandbox refresh processes and collaborate with Release Engineers to ensure environment readiness and stability.
• Security: Design and implement pipeline workflows that enforce controlled access and proper segregation of duties. Conduct monthly release audits to identify and validate any unauthorized changes outside of managed pipelines.
• Release Process Optimization: Continuously automate and enhance release processes to improve deployment efficiency, reduce conflicts, and increase overall reliability.
• Release Management: Own end-to-end Salesforce release planning, coordination, and execution across multiple environments for the assigned projects. Communicate release activities with stakeholders, including developers, QA teams, operations, and business owners, ensuring alignment and transparency.
• Deployment Execution: Manage deployments of Apex code, Lightning components, and configuration changes across environments. Handle merge conflicts and troubleshoot deployment failures to ensure smooth releases.
• Risk Mitigation: Identify potential risks, perform pre-deployment validations, and develop robust rollback strategies to minimize impact on production environments
• Back-Promotion: Ensure all changes are accurately back-promoted to lower-level Salesforce orgs to maintain consistency, integrity, and alignment across environments.
• Collaboration: Work closely with developers, administrators, and QA teams to coordinate releases, resolve blockers, and support testing cycles.
• Monitoring & Governance: Monitoring deployment success, troubleshooting errors, maintaining audit trails, and ensuring compliance.
• Data and Backup Management: Implement and manage robust data backup solutions and oversee data migration activities to safeguard critical business information. 

Skills :

• Strong understanding of Salesforce architecture, including sandboxes, production environments, and metadata management.
• Hands-on experience with release automation and integration tools (e.g., Copado, Jenkins, Git, Bitbucket, SFDX).
• Proficiency in using version control systems (Git) and automation tools to ensure a streamlined, repeatable deployment process.
• Familiarity with Agile and DevOps methodologies, and experience in managing releases in a fastpaced, iterative development environment.
• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Ability to create and enforce robust DevOps policies, including version control, rollback strategies, and deployment schedules.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across different teams (technical, business, and executive).

Education & Experience :
Education:  

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience as a Salesforce DevOps Engineer or Developer. Previous UMGC experience is a plus.
• Proven expertise in CI/CD pipeline management, experience with tools like Change set, Copado, AutoRABIT, Gearset, Ant Deployment, Azure Devops, and Jenkins
• In-depth experience with Salesforce deployments, including change sets, ant migration, and Salesforce DX
• Experience in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies
• Experience in Agile methodology, working in 3-week sprints, daily scrums, etc.
• Strong understanding of Salesforce best practices and functionality
• Knowledge of Source-format approaches preferred

Required Certifications:

• Salesforce Certifications: Salesforce Certified Administrator. 
• Copado Certifications: Copado Fundamentals I and II Certifications

Preferred Certifications:

• Salesforce Certifications: Salesforce Certified Developer, Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder, Salesforce Certified Platform Developer
• Copado Certifications: Copado Extension Builder, Copado AI Certification
• UMGC or USM prior experience preferred.