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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Application Packager

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Application Packager is responsible for transforming software installations into enterprise-ready packages for automated deployment across corporate endpoints. This role owns the full lifecycle of application packaging — analysis, repackaging, sequencing, testing, documentation, deployment support, and updates — ensuring compatibility with Configuration Manager (SCCM/ConfigMgr), Microsoft Intune (Win32/Line-of-business), App-V, MSIX/MSI, and macOS PKG environments. The Application Packager partners with endpoint engineering, security, software asset management, and business stakeholders to deliver reliable, secure, and repeatable application delivery that supports enterprise change windows, patch cycles, and user acceptance criteria.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Desktop Support Technician
  • Junior Systems Administrator
  • IT Support Analyst with packaging exposure

Advancement To:

  • Senior Application Packager / Packaging Lead
  • Endpoint Engineer / Desktop Engineering Manager
  • Release Manager or Software Distribution Architect

Lateral Moves:

  • Configuration Manager (SCCM) Administrator
  • Intune / Modern Management Specialist
  • Automation or DevOps Engineer (focus on CI/CD for application delivery)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Analyze vendor installers (EXE, MSI, MSI with transforms, MSIX, PKG, DMG) to determine the optimal packaging approach, documenting installer behavior, prerequisites, dependencies, services, drivers, and registry impacts prior to repackaging.

  2. Create and maintain enterprise-grade Windows installers using MSI/MSIX, InstallShield, Advanced Installer, Flexera AdminStudio, and WiX Toolset, ensuring compliance with corporate packaging standards, silent installation parameters, GUID management, and rollback/repair behavior.

  3. Repackage legacy and third-party EXE installers into MSI/MSIX or App-V sequences using repackaging tools and snapshotting methodologies, resolving installation conflicts and cleaning up file and registry artifacts for idempotent deployments.

  4. Build and test Microsoft App-V virtualized packages, sequencing applications, capturing dependencies, and tuning isolation levels and integration points to meet performance and compatibility requirements.

  5. Convert and optimize packages for Microsoft Intune Win32 app deployment (INTUNEWIN), configure detection rules, dependencies, requirement rules, and return codes to support modern management scenarios.

  6. Author PowerShell, Batch, and VBScript install/uninstall wrappers, transforms (.mst), and custom actions for complex installers, scripting configuration changes and automated post-install tasks for unattended deployments.

  7. Develop and maintain Configuration Manager (SCCM/ConfigMgr) application manifests, packages, deployment types, detection methods, supersedence rules, and maintenance windows for scheduled distribution and patching.

  8. Perform compatibility testing across OS versions (Windows 10/11, Windows Server), architectures (x86/x64), and localized builds; identify and remediate issues such as missing redistributables, UAC prompts, and user context problems.

  9. Execute smoke testing and full user acceptance tests (UAT) in lab and pilot groups, coordinate with application owners and end users for validation, and capture functional and performance metrics pre-release.

  10. Troubleshoot installer failures in diverse enterprise environments — analyzing logs (MSI verbose logs, AppV logs, Intune diagnostics), registry snapshots, file system permissions, and group policy interactions to determine root cause and remediation.

  11. Maintain a centralized packaging repository and version control for packaging artifacts, binaries, scripts, transform files, and documentation; enforce naming conventions and retention policies.

  12. Create and update packaging documentation and runbooks (installation steps, detection rules, supported configurations, rollback instructions) to facilitate handoffs and knowledge transfer to operations and support teams.

  13. Integrate application packaging with CI/CD pipelines and build automation tools to accelerate testing and reduce manual intervention — automating package creation, static analysis, and deployment verification.

  14. Apply security hardening and vulnerability remediation guidance into packages — ensure correct file permissions, remove insecure defaults, include necessary patches, and coordinate with security teams for CVE fixes.

  15. Manage application lifecycle tasks related to packaging: new application on-boarding, updates and patching, supersedence and retirement, and remediation for broken or unsupported applications.

  16. Collaborate with license management and procurement teams to ensure packaging activities capture licensing constraints, license keys, and vendor EULAs; coordinate packaging approach for licensed or trial software.

  17. Provide production deployment support and release-day troubleshooting for high-impact applications; prepare rollback plans and launch checklists to minimize user disruption.

  18. Quantify and report packaging metrics (time to package, success rates, deployment failure trends, backlog status) to leadership and continuously improve throughput and SLA compliance.

  19. Maintain cross-platform packaging skills by creating macOS PKG and DMG installers or JAMF policies when required, ensuring parity in deployment experience across managed endpoints.

  20. Keep up to date with packaging tools, endpoint management features, OS release changes, and community best practices; proactively recommend process improvements and tooling upgrades.

  21. Coordinate with network and storage teams to optimize distribution points, content replication, and bandwidth utilization for package deployment in multi-site environments.

  22. Mentor junior packagers and provide knowledge transfer sessions, standardized templates, and checklists to scale packaging operations and maintain consistent quality across the team.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in change advisory board (CAB) activities for packaging-related change requests and maintain clear documentation for auditors.
  • Support ad-hoc packaging requests and rapid application deployment needs for emergency fixes or critical business projects.
  • Contribute to the packaging and deployment knowledge base, templates, and training materials for cross-functional teams.
  • Collaborate with Software Asset Management to reconcile deployed package inventory and support end-of-life or upgrade campaigns.
  • Assist incident and problem management teams by diagnosing packaging- or deployment-related incidents and implementing durable fixes.
  • Conduct periodic review and cleanup of legacy packages, removing outdated installers and ensuring compliance with company retention policies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong experience creating and maintaining MSI/MSIX packages using tools such as WiX Toolset, Advanced Installer, InstallShield, and Flexera AdminStudio.
  • Expertise in repackaging EXE installers into MSI/MSIX or App-V sequences using snapshot and capture-based workflows.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM / ConfigMgr) for application deployment, content distribution, detection rules, and maintenance windows.
  • Experience packaging Win32 apps for Microsoft Intune (INTUNEWIN), including packaging, dependencies, detection, and return code handling.
  • Solid PowerShell scripting skills for automation, installers, detection logic, and pre/post install configuration.
  • Familiarity with App-V sequencing, virtualization concepts, and isolation troubleshooting.
  • Ability to read and analyze MSI verbose logs, App-V logs, and Intune troubleshooting logs to diagnose deployment failures.
  • Knowledge of Windows operating system internals (registry, services, GPO interactions, file and permission models).
  • Experience using packaging automation and CI/CD tools (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions) to automate package builds and tests.
  • Experience with macOS packaging (PKG, DMG) and MDM solutions (JAMF, Intune for macOS) when cross-platform support is required.
  • Understanding of software dependency resolution (redistributables, runtimes, frameworks) and methods to include or require prerequisites.
  • Experience with packaging best practices for security and vulnerability mitigation (secure permissions, removal of hard-coded credentials).
  • Familiarity with common packaging tools and asset repositories: Chocolatey, NuGet, internal artifact repos, and/or Flexera.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability to triage complex installer issues and identify repeatable fixes.
  • Clear communication and stakeholder management; able to translate technical packaging details into business-impact statements.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle competing requests and meet packaging SLAs.
  • Attention to detail and adherence to standards for consistent, repeatable packages.
  • Collaborative team player able to work with cross-functional teams (security, support, procurement, application owners).
  • Mentoring and documentation skills to upskill junior engineers and maintain an accessible knowledge base.
  • Customer-focused mindset in pilot testing and UAT engagements to balance technical constraints with user needs.
  • Adaptability to new tools, packaging paradigms, and evolving endpoint management platforms.
  • Strong organizational skills for maintaining packaging libraries, versioning, and audit-ready documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, IT Management, or related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5+ years of hands-on application packaging and software distribution experience for enterprise environments.

Preferred:

  • 4+ years of packaging experience with a proven track record delivering MSI/MSIX, App-V, and Intune packages in medium to large enterprise environments.
  • Experience working with SCCM/ConfigMgr in multi-site, multi-geo deployments and integrating packaging with modern management tooling.
  • Demonstrable experience with automation and CI/CD pipelines applied to packaging and testing workflows.
  • Prior experience in a centralized packaging team or managed services environment with documented SLAs and operational metrics.
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