Azure DevOps Expert for CI/CD Modernization
Budget: $15 – $25 USD
Job Profile: Senior Azure DevOps Consultant (CI/CD Modernization)
Role Type: Consulting Engagement (Contract)
Duration: 1 Month (with potential for short-term extension)
Location: Remote
About the Project
We are undertaking a strategic initiative to modernize our software release process. Our goal is to move from a traditional, branch-centric release model to a modern, artifact-driven framework that supports our complex, multi-repository application suite. We have a well-defined and documented plan, but we need an expert to partner with our team to bridge our technical knowledge gaps and accelerate the implementation of the core pipeline infrastructure.
You will be the key technical implementer, working directly with our DevOps team, Enterprise Release Manager and module Dev Leads. Your mission is to build the foundational pipelines and templates that will serve as the blueprint for our entire organization—for both standard releases and critical hotfixes — and to empower our team with the knowledge to maintain and scale this system long after your engagement ends.
Key Responsibilities
Architect & Build the Core Pipelines: Design, write, and implement the foundational YAML pipelines that are the engine of our new framework:
The dynamic Module Orchestrator Pipeline, including the context-aware logic to handle CI (dev) vs. Release (release/*) modes.
The gated Promotion Pipeline (promotion.yml), including the logic for Git tagging, building from tags, and packaging the official Module Release Object (MRO).
The Promote-to-QA Pipeline, including the logic to find and deploy specific build artifacts.
The specialized create-hotfix-package.yml Pipeline, designed to surgically build and package a lightweight Hotfix MRO.
Develop Reusable YAML Templates: Create a set of robust, documented, and reusable YAML templates for our common build patterns (e.g., .NET API, Angular UI).
Develop Core Automation Scripts: Write the necessary PowerShell scripts for the pipelines, focusing on parsing the versions.yml manifest, generating the hotfix-manifest.yml, and interacting with the Azure DevOps REST API.
Mentor and Enable our Team: Work alongside our developers and DevOps staff, explaining your implementation choices, demonstrating best practices, and ensuring they have the skills to take ownership of the new system.
Assist with ADO Configuration: Advise on and help configure the necessary Azure DevOps components, including Environments, Approval Gates, and security permissions.
Tangible Deliverables (by end of engagement)
A fully functional, YAML-based Module Orchestrator Pipeline for our pilot module.
Working, gated Promotion, Promote-to-QA, and Hotfix Creation pipelines for the pilot module.
A documented library of the core, reusable YAML build templates.
The core PowerShell scripts for manifest parsing and release note data gathering.
A series of knowledge-transfer sessions and clear documentation for the implemented solutions.
Ideal Candidate Profile: Must-Have Experience & Skills
Proven expertise designing and implementing artifact-driven CI/CD workflows in Azure DevOps, including strategies for both standard releases and expedited hotfixes.
Deep, hands-on experience with complex, multi-repository builds and dependency management (e.g., using manifests or other orchestration techniques).
Demonstrable mastery of Azure Pipelines YAML. You should be an expert in templates, deployment jobs, environments, approval gates, and dynamic variable generation.
Advanced PowerShell scripting skills, specifically for automation within Azure DevOps and interacting with REST APIs.
A strong, practical understanding of modern Git branching strategies, especially the use of release/* and hotfix/* branches for stabilization and patching.
Experience in a consulting or senior mentoring role. Your ability to teach and empower our team is as important as your technical skill.
Desirable Skills (Bonus Points)
Experience with automated database deployments using DACPACs.
Experience setting up and tracking DORA metrics in an enterprise environment.
Experience working across multiple Azure DevOps projects and organizations and managing the associated permissions.
Role Type: Consulting Engagement (Contract)
Duration: 1 Month (with potential for short-term extension)
Location: Remote
About the Project
We are undertaking a strategic initiative to modernize our software release process. Our goal is to move from a traditional, branch-centric release model to a modern, artifact-driven framework that supports our complex, multi-repository application suite. We have a well-defined and documented plan, but we need an expert to partner with our team to bridge our technical knowledge gaps and accelerate the implementation of the core pipeline infrastructure.
You will be the key technical implementer, working directly with our DevOps team, Enterprise Release Manager and module Dev Leads. Your mission is to build the foundational pipelines and templates that will serve as the blueprint for our entire organization—for both standard releases and critical hotfixes — and to empower our team with the knowledge to maintain and scale this system long after your engagement ends.
Key Responsibilities
Architect & Build the Core Pipelines: Design, write, and implement the foundational YAML pipelines that are the engine of our new framework:
The dynamic Module Orchestrator Pipeline, including the context-aware logic to handle CI (dev) vs. Release (release/*) modes.
The gated Promotion Pipeline (promotion.yml), including the logic for Git tagging, building from tags, and packaging the official Module Release Object (MRO).
The Promote-to-QA Pipeline, including the logic to find and deploy specific build artifacts.
The specialized create-hotfix-package.yml Pipeline, designed to surgically build and package a lightweight Hotfix MRO.
Develop Reusable YAML Templates: Create a set of robust, documented, and reusable YAML templates for our common build patterns (e.g., .NET API, Angular UI).
Develop Core Automation Scripts: Write the necessary PowerShell scripts for the pipelines, focusing on parsing the versions.yml manifest, generating the hotfix-manifest.yml, and interacting with the Azure DevOps REST API.
Mentor and Enable our Team: Work alongside our developers and DevOps staff, explaining your implementation choices, demonstrating best practices, and ensuring they have the skills to take ownership of the new system.
Assist with ADO Configuration: Advise on and help configure the necessary Azure DevOps components, including Environments, Approval Gates, and security permissions.
Tangible Deliverables (by end of engagement)
A fully functional, YAML-based Module Orchestrator Pipeline for our pilot module.
Working, gated Promotion, Promote-to-QA, and Hotfix Creation pipelines for the pilot module.
A documented library of the core, reusable YAML build templates.
The core PowerShell scripts for manifest parsing and release note data gathering.
A series of knowledge-transfer sessions and clear documentation for the implemented solutions.
Ideal Candidate Profile: Must-Have Experience & Skills
Proven expertise designing and implementing artifact-driven CI/CD workflows in Azure DevOps, including strategies for both standard releases and expedited hotfixes.
Deep, hands-on experience with complex, multi-repository builds and dependency management (e.g., using manifests or other orchestration techniques).
Demonstrable mastery of Azure Pipelines YAML. You should be an expert in templates, deployment jobs, environments, approval gates, and dynamic variable generation.
Advanced PowerShell scripting skills, specifically for automation within Azure DevOps and interacting with REST APIs.
A strong, practical understanding of modern Git branching strategies, especially the use of release/* and hotfix/* branches for stabilization and patching.
Experience in a consulting or senior mentoring role. Your ability to teach and empower our team is as important as your technical skill.
Desirable Skills (Bonus Points)
Experience with automated database deployments using DACPACs.
Experience setting up and tracking DORA metrics in an enterprise environment.
Experience working across multiple Azure DevOps projects and organizations and managing the associated permissions.