[Hiring] Release Manager @Tailscale

Role Description

We’re looking for a Release Manager to own how Tailscale ships our product, both internally and to customers. You’ll build and run our release coordination process and create the operational practices that coordinate product and engineering.

You’ll work closely with engineering leads, product managers, TPMs, and support. At first, you’ll focus on building release management from the ground up:

• Setting the release cadence
• Defining roles
• Building tooling
• Agreeing on norms with the teams involved in releases

Later, it will grow into creating processes around other parts of how product and engineering collaborate, like operational metrics.

You should understand how software gets shipped, including:

• Branching strategies
• Build pipelines
• Feature flags
• Rollout mechanics

Your technical aptitude will allow you to design release processes that engineers trust and use. Tailscale moves fast and your processes should help us maintain our speed. When a process works well, it is nearly invisible - it keeps the right people informed, stays out of engineers’ way, and gives the team a plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in engineering operations, release management, or a closely related role at a software company
• Direct experience building or significantly improving release management processes
• Technical fluency: you understand software development deeply enough to have credible conversations with engineers about build systems, deployment pipelines, branching strategies, and production operations
• Strong instincts for what process is worth having and what’s just overhead, and optimizing process for trust and adoption
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to build structure from scratch

Requirements

• Experience with both client and server software release processes
• Experience at a developer tools, infrastructure, or security-focused SaaS company
• Familiarity with DORA metrics and how to use them to drive meaningful improvement
• Experience with feature flag systems, progressive rollouts, or canary deployments as release tools
• Experience scaling operational practices through periods of rapid team or product growth
• Hands-on experience with Tailscale at work or home

Benefits

• An inclusive, flexible environment where you can be your authentic self.
• A competitive total compensation package, including base salary, an equity incentive plan, and variable commission (for quota-based roles).
• Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period, including health, vision, dental, and more for you and your family!
• Remote first company - most of our teams work fully remotely.
• Employer-funded retirement contributions, matching dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum annual employer contribution equal to 0.75% of your eligible compensation.
• Connect with other Tailscalars IRL through annual company retreats and team off-sites.
• Support for your personal and professional development with $1500 USD annually for professional development.
• Flexible, paid time off program to support you for any situation life throws your way.
• Build-your-own home office setup with a company-owned laptop, monthly home internet reimbursement, and $500 USD to customize your workstation.
• Paid parental leave program with top-ups for new parents.