SAFe Release Train Engineer

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) will be responsible for the management and execution of value streams to support the delivery of strategic technology products. The RTE will foster Lean-Agile principles within the organization and help balance lean-agile execution and program management activities to deliver solutions more effectively. This role will heavily leverage the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to drive lean-agile delivery within the release train. The RTE will help define norms/agreements for the Agile Release Training (ART) and enforces the agreements as well as coordinate and facilitate ART ceremonies (e.g., Backlog Refinement, Big Room Planning (BRP), ART Sync (or PO Sync, Scrum of Scrums), System Demos, Retrospective). They will partner with the Product Owner/Project Manager to ensure the program has a healthy product/program backlog and review demand versus capacity. In addition, the RTE will facilitate dependency management/risk management/impediment removal for the ART, promote/facilitate communication and collaboration within the ART to support value delivery and Quarterly Increment (QI) commitments. The RTE is responsible for providing status updates and reporting on the ART plans/delivery/timelines/impediments to stakeholders and leadership. They ensure that execution is aligned with product strategy by working with Product Management, Product Owners, and other stakeholders. In addition, the RTE ensures enterprise change management and other policy requirements for technology solutions are met for the epics/features delivered by the ART. They enable the ART to become high performing through collaboration and relentless focus on continuous improvement. The RTE will measure ART delivery, maturity, and performance and reviews the metrics with the ART to identify improvement opportunities. They will also capture data to help determine/track product funding and capacity needs. Furthermore, the RTE will partner with Agile Coaches to guide and coach leaders, teams, and Scrum Masters in the ART on Agile practices and develops their understanding of Agile principles.

Essential Functions

• Manage and improve the flow of value through value streams by assessing and optimizing the practices utilized within the respective teams (DevOps, Product Owners, Security, Architecture, etc.). Lead multiple, dynamic value streams and foster collaboration internally and externally – including cross-functional and external consultant team members assigned to projects within a program - to ensure alignment to the ARTs strategic objectives.
• Facilitate Big Room Planning readiness by enabling process adherence and coaching that drives alignment of the Vision, Roadmap, Releases, and Backlogs, through Pre- and Post-Big Room Planning events.
• Facilitate the coordinated preparation and execution of release planning for the ART. Work with key members of the ART to prioritize and refine the features to be considered in the next Big Room Planning cycle.
• Ensure that the goals of each value stream are in strategic alignment with the ART-level key results following Big Room Planning sessions.
• Drive agility and improvement by managing ART-level risks and dependencies. Assist in the removal of impediments to ensure value is consistently being delivered.
• Functions as a servant leader fostering Lean-Agile Continuous Delivery, promoting and coaching Lean-Agile principles, and empowering individual teams to become self-managing.
• Proactively and consistently communicate with the team, business owners, and leaders to ensure all impacted stakeholders understand risks, issues, and activities related to the value stream
• Serve as key facilitator/gatekeeper of ART-level ceremonies, including but not limited to: Inspect and Adapt workshops, Scrum of Scrums, System Demos, and other relevant ART-level syncs and ceremonies.
• Contribute to strategic planning meetings and provide guidance and expertise on options, risk, cost vs. benefits, and impacts on departmental processes.
• Partner with the Business and other key stakeholders to ensure that strong lean business cases are developed for product funding. Oversee and drive responsible financial management throughout the ART by ensuring best practices for project cost estimates, resource management planning, and cost control measures are being utilized to minimize cost, reduce risk, and maximize desired business outcomes.