Interim Release Manager

We are looking for an experienced Interim Software Release Manager who can bring structure, clarity, and confidence to our software releases.

Optics11 develops high-precision optical sensing solutions used in demanding, real-world environments. Our products combine advanced hardware, embedded systems, and software to deliver reliable measurement capabilities to customers worldwide. As our software portfolio expands beyond embedded firmware into broader software applications, we are strengthening release leadership to ensure reliable, well-integrated, and field-ready software deliveries.

As Interim Software Release Manager, you are responsible for ensuring that software is released safely and reliably, with full visibility on readiness and risks. You operate at the intersection of software engineering, hardware teams, embedded systems, and external development partners. Rather than defining product vision or designing architecture, you focus on making sure releases are well integrated, properly validated, and ready for real-world use. This is a high-impact coordination and leadership role with real influence on release timing and overall quality.

What you will do:

• Own and maintain the end-to-end software release plan, including scope, sequencing, and target timing.
• Align release priorities with engineering, product, hardware, and embedded teams.
• Ensure proper integration between application software, embedded software, firmware, hardware devices, and external platforms.
• Plan and coordinate integration and validation activities before release.
• Work closely with SQA, verification, and DevOps to confirm functional correctness, regression stability, performance, and compatibility.
• Ensure required testing activities are completed before any release.
• Identify risks, limitations, and open issues early, and make trade-offs between scope, timing, and risk transparent.
• Coordinate deliverables and quality expectations with external software partners to ensure their contributions meet Optics11's release standards.
• Clearly communicate what is included in a release, what is excluded, and what customers should expect.

What you will not do:

• You will not define product vision or customer priorities.
• You will not design software architecture.

Do you have experience in DevOps?, Do you have a Master's degree?, * Strong experience in software-intensive product environments, ideally where software integrates with hardware or embedded systems.

• Proven experience coordinating complex releases across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Comfortable working with external development partners and aligning on interfaces, quality standards, and delivery timelines.
• Solid understanding of integration, validation, and release processes in real-world product environments.
• Technically credible with software and system engineers - able to challenge and assess readiness constructively.
• Structured and calm in complex situations, with the ability to create clarity and transparency around risks.
• Clear communicator who can align diverse stakeholders and make trade-offs visible.