Announcement
To Whom It May Concern:
Now that I have been promoted to a full-time build developer at Microsoft, my boss is looking to fill my old contract position. In so doing, he has asked me to ask anyone I think might be interested. Details are below.
The first two sections are lifted verbatim from the e-mail I got when I first applied.
Description: Works with development teams to build all components of a software product, including maintaining batch files and tools, to keep up with changes in the product. Sets up initial build trees, performs, debugs and fixes builds, and promotes official drops including those for Expresso and help builds. May also be responsible for managing the SQL Server build process and function as a hotfix engineer. Works closely with the members of the build team and proactively identifies and implements procedures to parallelize and streamline the build process. May drive the development and maintenance of build automation tools. May be responsible for managing the build and release schedules with shared components (ODBC, OLE DB) and identifying and driving the resolution of build and runtime errors.
Skills Required: 2 plus years work related experience required. Knowledge of applicable build processes and of Microsoft development tools required. Knowledge of Windows is required; knowledge of Windows NT may be required. Knowledge of Perl preferred. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently, and as part of a team required. Knowledge of source code control systems required; SourceSafe, Raid, and or Source Depot preferred. Familiarity with product development cycle and with international issues may be required. Previous experience with SQL Server and ODBC preferred. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.
Compensation: $23.50/hr, with time-and-a-half overtime for any hours over 40 worked in a week. This works out to about $48,000/yr base.
Legal Issues: Contractors with Microsoft are not allowed to work another contract with Microsoft for a year after the termination of their original contract, which cannot last longer than one year. This is because of a scandal a while back where Microsoft and other large software companies would hire contractors and work them as essentially permanent employees without having to pay benefits. I think it's a stupid restriction, but there you have it. Basically, this means that if you want this job, you should try to use it as a stepping stone to permanent employment (at Microsoft or elsewhere).
In practice, I've found that this means that they want someone who is intelligent, detail-oriented, and has a reasonably strong grasp of various computer science concepts. Judging from the varied backgrounds of the people around here, a full CS bachelor's degree is not necessarily required -- for example, one of my strongest co-workers got his degree in Physics. Of course, you have to be willing to work odd hours (5AM-1PM or 10AM-6PM) in Redmond, since that's where the job is.
If you are interested you should contact me fast so that I can get your name and resume to my boss. I have the feeling they are going to try to fill this position ASAP.
-Nick
Now that I have been promoted to a full-time build developer at Microsoft, my boss is looking to fill my old contract position. In so doing, he has asked me to ask anyone I think might be interested. Details are below.
The first two sections are lifted verbatim from the e-mail I got when I first applied.
Description: Works with development teams to build all components of a software product, including maintaining batch files and tools, to keep up with changes in the product. Sets up initial build trees, performs, debugs and fixes builds, and promotes official drops including those for Expresso and help builds. May also be responsible for managing the SQL Server build process and function as a hotfix engineer. Works closely with the members of the build team and proactively identifies and implements procedures to parallelize and streamline the build process. May drive the development and maintenance of build automation tools. May be responsible for managing the build and release schedules with shared components (ODBC, OLE DB) and identifying and driving the resolution of build and runtime errors.
Skills Required: 2 plus years work related experience required. Knowledge of applicable build processes and of Microsoft development tools required. Knowledge of Windows is required; knowledge of Windows NT may be required. Knowledge of Perl preferred. Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently, and as part of a team required. Knowledge of source code control systems required; SourceSafe, Raid, and or Source Depot preferred. Familiarity with product development cycle and with international issues may be required. Previous experience with SQL Server and ODBC preferred. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.
Compensation: $23.50/hr, with time-and-a-half overtime for any hours over 40 worked in a week. This works out to about $48,000/yr base.
Legal Issues: Contractors with Microsoft are not allowed to work another contract with Microsoft for a year after the termination of their original contract, which cannot last longer than one year. This is because of a scandal a while back where Microsoft and other large software companies would hire contractors and work them as essentially permanent employees without having to pay benefits. I think it's a stupid restriction, but there you have it. Basically, this means that if you want this job, you should try to use it as a stepping stone to permanent employment (at Microsoft or elsewhere).
In practice, I've found that this means that they want someone who is intelligent, detail-oriented, and has a reasonably strong grasp of various computer science concepts. Judging from the varied backgrounds of the people around here, a full CS bachelor's degree is not necessarily required -- for example, one of my strongest co-workers got his degree in Physics. Of course, you have to be willing to work odd hours (5AM-1PM or 10AM-6PM) in Redmond, since that's where the job is.
If you are interested you should contact me fast so that I can get your name and resume to my boss. I have the feeling they are going to try to fill this position ASAP.
-Nick