Software Release Manager

QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecular testing, clinical chemistry and transfusion medicine. We are more than 6,000 strong and do business in over 130 countries, providing answers with fast, accurate and consistent testing where and when they are needed most - home to hospital, lab to clinic.

Our culture puts our team members first and prioritizes actions that support happiness, inspiration and engagement. We strive to build meaningful connections with each other as we believe that employee happiness and business success are linked. Join us in our mission to transform the power of diagnostics into a healthier future for all.

The Role

At QuidelOrtho, we're advancing the power of diagnostics for a healthier future for all. Join our mission as our next Software Release Manager to join our R&D Instrument Platforms organization. This role combines Scrum Master leadership with software release management accountability, focusing on the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of software releases for regulated medical device systems.

The Software Release Manager is embedded within Agile development teams while also maintaining a system-level view of delivery, integration, and release readiness. This role ensures predictable, high-quality software releases by coordinating across multiple scrum teams, managing dependencies, mitigating risk, and aligning execution with regulatory and business objectives.

This position is located onsite in Rochester, NY.

The Responsibilities

Scrum Leadership & Agile Execution

• Serve as Scrum Master for one or more Agile teams, facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Coach teams and stakeholders in Agile best practices within a hybrid Scrum environment.
• Remove impediments and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain backlog health, ensuring clarity, prioritization, and readiness of user stories.
• Track and communicate Agile metrics (velocity, burndown, predictability) and team performance.

Release Planning & Delivery Ownership

• Own end-to-end software release delivery from planning through deployment, ensuring on-time, on-scope, and high-quality outcomes.
• Develop and manage integrated release plans across multiple scrum teams, including dependencies, milestones, and critical paths.
• Coordinate cross-team integration activities to ensure system-level readiness and stability.
• Drive release readiness processes per metrics of definition of done, entry/exit criteria, and go/no-go decision support.

Technical & System Awareness

• Maintain working knowledge of system architecture, software components, and integration points sufficient to anticipate delivery risks.
• Understand the technical state of work items to accurately assess progress and risks.

Risk, Quality, and Compliance

• Identify and proactively mitigate technical, schedule, quality, and integration risks.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards (FDA, ISO 13485, IEC 62304) and internal design controls.
• Support audit readiness by ensuring documentation completeness and traceability across releases.

Stakeholder & Communication Management

• Coordinate across engineering, systems, quality, regulatory, and product stakeholders.
• Provide clear, data-driven status reporting on release progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Communicate release scope, timelines, and readiness to leadership and cross-functional partners.

Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence

• Champion best practices in Agile delivery, DevOps, and release management.
• Identify opportunities to improve release predictability, quality, and team effectiveness.
• Mentor teams on disciplined execution within a regulated software development lifecycle.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

The Individual

Required:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related STEM field (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience in software delivery, program management, Agile environments, or related experience in delivery accountability.
• 3+ years of experience serving as Scrum Master or Agile team facilitator.
• Experience managing complex, multi-team software releases
• Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum) and release management practices.
• Experience with tools such as Azure DevOps, JIRA, or similar Agile lifecycle tools
• Ability to manage dependencies across multiple teams and systems.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle and integration practices.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to translate technical concepts to business audiences.
• Strong ownership and accountability for delivery outcomes.
• Ability to balance tactical team support with strategic delivery oversight.
• Proven ability to identify and mitigate risks in complex systems.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration across engineering, QA, regulatory, and operations.
• Adaptability in fast-paced and evolving environments.
• This position is not currently eligible for visa sponsorship.

Preferred:

• Experience in regulated medical device software development.
• Familiarity with FDA, ISO 13485, and IEC 62304, and design control processes.
• Awareness of DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and release automation.
• Experience working with distributed or external development teams.

The Key Working Relationships

Internal Partners:

• Software Engineering - daily execution, delivery, and integration
• Systems Engineering - system requirements and architecture alignment
• Verification & Validation - test planning and execution readiness
• Design Quality & Regulatory Affairs - compliance with regulatory standards
• Product Management / Marketing - release scope and prioritization
• Operations, Manufacturing, Service - downstream release readiness
• PMO, Finance - roadmap, funding, and delivery alignment

External Partners:

• Third-party software development partners
• Tooling, cloud, and cybersecurity vendors
• External auditors and regulatory bodies

How We Work

At QuidelOrtho, our culture is shaped by four core behaviors that guide how we collaborate, make decisions, and support each other and those we serve. The ideal candidate will exhibit these behaviors, as we believe they're essential to how we thrive as a team and achieve meaningful impact:

• Thrive Together - Collaborate intentionally, grow as a team
• Make It Happen - Focus on priorities, embrace continuous improvement
• Commit to Service - Cultivate a service mindset
• Embrace Inclusion - Be open and authentic, welcome diverse perspectives

The Work Environment

The work environment characteristics are representative of a manufacturing, laboratory, or warehouse environment and include handling of viral and bacterial hazards, potentially hazardous chemicals, as well as infectious or potentially infectious bodily fluids, tissues, and samples. Up to 75% of the time at desk, standing or sitting extended periods of time. Flexible work hours to meet project deadlines

Physical Demands

No strenuous physical activity required. Occasional light lifting of materials may be needed. Substantial time will be spent in virtual or in-person meetings, engaging with customers, and working on scientific content and documentation.

Salary Transparency

The salary range for this position takes into account a wide range of factors including education, experience, knowledge, skills, geography, and abilities of the candidate, in addition to internal equity and alignment with market data. At QuidelOrtho, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000 and is bonus eligible. QuidelOrtho offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with a 401(k) plan, employee assistance program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, paid time off (including sick time), and paid Holidays. All benefits are non-contractual, and QuidelOrtho may amend, terminate, or enhance the benefits provided, as it deems appropriate.

Equal Opportunity

QuidelOrtho believes in Equal Opportunity for all and is committed to ensuring all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, have an opportunity to apply for those positions that they are interested in and qualify for without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. QuidelOrtho is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals so that an individual can perform the duties. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and require special assistance or an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please contact us at recruiting@quidelortho.com.

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