Release Engineer

Position summary:

The Release Engineer is responsible for executing and supporting software releases across The Clearing House's payment platforms, including CHIPS, Real Time Payments (RTP), EPN, and SVPCO. This role supports deployments across Quality Engineering (QE), Bank Test (BT), and Production environments, ensuring accuracy, operational stability, and compliance with established change and release management controls.

The Release Engineer serves as a technical resource for deployment automation and tooling, working closely with Product Engineering, Operations, and other technology teams to maintain deployment configurations, troubleshoot issues, and support new initiatives. Responsibilities also include ownership and continuous improvement of release execution and governance processes, release tracking, version accuracy, documentation, and audit compliance.

This position requires strong technical troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. The Clearing House operates in a 24x7x365 environment, requiring occasional evening and weekend work to execute or support planned software deployments.

About The Clearing House: The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C. is a bank-owned industry utility that shapes the payments landscape and provides infrastructure for safe, reliable, and efficient payments. We see an economy where everyone is connected and a future where modern payments make life easier. The Clearing House operates four payment systems: a high-value wire-transfer system (the CHIPS® network), the country’s first and largest instant payments system (the RTP® network), an automated clearinghouse network (the EPN® network), and a check image exchange network (the Image Exchange Network). TCH also operates a bank account number tokenization service, runs a payments association known as the TCH Payments Authority, and maintains the rules for private-sector check image exchange through its ECCHO® business line. 

Qualifications required:

The candidate must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment. Strong technical troubleshooting, organizational, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple concurrent release activities.

• Experience with software release engineering, application deployments, or technical application support in enterprise environments.
• Working knowledge of software release and change management processes across testing and Production environments.
• Hands-on experience administering and troubleshooting Windows Server and Linux operating systems.
• Experience developing, modifying, and troubleshooting deployment automation scripts using both PowerShell and Bash/Shell scripting.
• Experience with enterprise deployment automation tools, such as IBM DevOps Deploy (formerly UrbanCode Deploy), or comparable platforms.
• Understanding of software version control, deployment package management, and release tracking processes.
• Experience troubleshooting deployment failures, analyzing logs, identifying root causes, and coordinating technical issue resolution.
• Experience with IT Service Management (ITSM) tools, such as ServiceNow or comparable platforms, and working knowledge of ITIL or equivalent change and release management practices.
• Ability to develop and maintain technical deployment procedures, operational documentation, and process standards.
• Experience collaborating with application development, infrastructure, operations, and other technical teams to support software releases.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and work effectively under pressure.

Qualifications desired:

• Direct experience administering and configuring IBM DevOps Deploy (formerly UrbanCode Deploy), including application processes, components, environment properties, and deployment automation.
• Experience supporting software releases in financial services or payment processing environments, preferably involving CHIPS, Real Time Payments (RTP), EPN, or SVPCO.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and deployment tool integrations involving Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Enterprise, or GitHub Actions.
• Experience supporting Unisys mainframe software deployments, including MARC-based deployment jobs, software staging, log analysis, and coordination of installation procedures with Operations teams.
• Advanced PowerShell and Bash scripting skills, including deployment automation, configuration management, and troubleshooting utilities.
• Direct experience with ServiceNow release and change management processes, including release records, workflow tracking, and compliance documentation.
• Familiarity with ITIL-based change and release management processes.
• Experience supporting internal or external technology audits, including gathering evidence and demonstrating compliance with established controls.
• Familiarity with cloud technologies, preferably Amazon Web Services (AWS), including application deployments and DevOps practices in hybrid or cloud environments. AWS certifications are a plus.
• Experience using generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT or comparable AI assistants, to support scripting, troubleshooting, documentation, and operational efficiency while adhering to organizational security policies.

Success factors/job competencies:

• Technical Proficiency and Problem-Solving: Demonstrates strong technical aptitude in software deployment, automation, scripting, and troubleshooting, with the ability to investigate deployment failures and resolve technical issues effectively.
• Deployment Accuracy and Quality: Ensures correct software version selection, deployment configurations, and adherence to established implementation procedures while minimizing deployment-related risks.
• Release Process Ownership: Demonstrates accountability for maintaining, enforcing, and continuously improving release execution processes, standards, and controls.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Identifies and mitigates deployment risks while ensuring adherence to change management requirements, internal controls, and audit expectations.
• Organization and Prioritization: Effectively manages concurrent releases, competing priorities, and time-sensitive activities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Communication and Collaboration: Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with Product Engineering, Operations, infrastructure teams, management, and other stakeholders.
• Documentation and Process Discipline: Maintains accurate release records, deployment procedures, technical documentation, and supporting evidence to ensure traceability and audit readiness.
• Initiative and Adaptability: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve deployment reliability and efficiency while adapting to new technologies, tools, and evolving business requirements.
• Accountability and Independent Judgment: Takes ownership of assigned release activities, exercises sound technical judgment within established responsibilities, and prioritizes operational stability and risk reduction.

Physical demands and work environment: The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available. Travel may be required. Candidates will report to the office three days each week. Onsite work requirements may change at any time. 

Work Schedule: Occasional evening and weekend work is required to execute or support planned software deployments and related release activities in support of The Clearing House's 24x7x365 operational environment.

The anticipated annual salary range for NY-based candidates for this position is up to $125,000. Base salary and position level will be determined by the role, experience, skill set and location. For eligible positions, discretionary incentive compensation may be awarded contingent on personal and company performance. Our benefits program includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k plan with company contribution and company match, tuition reimbursement and more.