[Hiring] Staff Software Engineer, Image Build & Release @Horizon3

Role Description

The Expert Engineer on the Image Build & Release team is the technical anchor for how NodeZero gets built and delivered to customer environments. NodeZero runs as a container in customer infrastructure — building that image correctly, delivering it reliably, and updating it safely across thousands of deployments is a hard systems problem with direct customer impact. You will set the technical direction for the build pipeline, the image signing and scanning strategy, and the OTA (over-the-air) delivery infrastructure that pushes updates to deployed NodeZero instances.

This is a hands-on staff-level role. You will write code, produce architecture designs, mentor engineers, and own the most consequential technical decisions for how NodeZero is packaged and shipped. The team is building from a strong starting point — you will raise the bar on automation, reliability, and delivery velocity. This role reports to the Client Platform Engineering Manager and works directly with the OTA Services team on the delivery side.

Responsibilities

• Build Pipeline Architecture:
  • Design and own the CI/CD pipeline that produces NodeZero container images — from source to signed, scanned artifact ready for distribution.
• Image Integrity & Security:
  • Define the image hardening, CVE scanning, and signing strategy that ensures NodeZero images meet security and compliance requirements before they ship.
• OTA Delivery Infrastructure:
  • Partner with the OTA Services team to design the delivery mechanism that pushes image updates to customer-deployed NodeZero instances reliably and safely — including rollout strategy, rollback, and version pinning.
• Release Engineering Standards:
  • Set standards for build reproducibility, artifact versioning, and release gating that the full Client Platform team follows.
• Mentorship:
  • Mentor P4 engineers through code review, design review, and architectural pairing; be the person the team turns to when they hit a hard systems problem.
• Operational Excellence:
  • Own the build and release infrastructure end-to-end — on-call for pipeline failures, build time regressions, and delivery incidents.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with deep specialization in build systems, CI/CD, or release engineering for containerized applications.
• Expert-level knowledge of Docker and container image construction — multi-stage builds, base image selection, layer optimization, image hardening.
• Experience with container image signing and verification (Cosign, Notary, or equivalent) and image scanning toolchains (Trivy, Grype, Snyk, or equivalent).
• Strong track record building and operating CI/CD pipelines at scale (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Tekton, or equivalent).
• Deep understanding of Kubernetes — how images are pulled, versioned, and updated in running clusters.
• Experience designing and operating OTA or remote update systems — rollout strategies, delta delivery, version negotiation, rollback.
• Proficiency in Go, Python, or shell scripting sufficient to build and maintain pipeline tooling.
• Experience with artifact registries (ECR, GCR, Docker Hub, Harbor) and artifact lifecycle management.
• Track record of setting engineering standards that other engineers adopt — not just writing good code but making the right approach the obvious one.
• Ability to produce clear architecture documents and drive technical decisions across team boundaries.
• Experience mentoring mid-level engineers through design and code review.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with secure software supply chain practices (SLSA, SBOM generation, provenance attestation).
• Background in cybersecurity or building software that runs in sensitive customer environments (on-prem, air-gapped, or regulated industries).
• Experience with Helm chart packaging and Kubernetes operator patterns.
• Familiarity with eBPF or kernel-level tooling relevant to containerized security software.

Travel Required

We are a fully remote company, and this job may require up to 5% of travel to be successful.

Compensation and Values

At Horizon3, we believe that our people are our greatest asset, and our compensation philosophy reflects this core value. We are committed to fostering an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and rewarded for their contributions. Our compensation structure is designed to be fair, competitive, and transparent, ensuring that every team member is recognized and compensated equitably across roles, levels, and locations.

• Base salary range: $229,500 - $260,000 annually. The exact salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and relevant skills.
• This role may also be eligible for an equity package (in the form of stock options). If any other compensation benefits apply, they will be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits

• Inclusive Team: We value diversity and promote an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.
• Growth Opportunities: Be part of a dynamic and growing team with numerous career development opportunities.
• Innovative Culture: Work in a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Remote Work: We are a 100% remote company. Enjoy the flexibility to work in the way that supports you and brings out your best.
• Competitive Compensation: We offer competitive salary and benefits which includes health, vision & dental care for you and your family, a flexible vacation policy, and generous parental leave.

You Belong Here

Horizon3 is not just an equal opportunity employer - we are a community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental principles of our culture and success. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, or any other legally protected status by law.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion means we strive to attract, develop, and retain a workforce that reflects the varied communities we serve. We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and strengthen our ability to create cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions. At Horizon3, every team member is valued and supported in an environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences, and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Come be a part of Horizon3, where your unique contributions are recognized, and your potential is limitless.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Note

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.