Agile Release Train Engineer - L2

X8; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 157,500 - 192,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuing education reimbursement

Medical, dental, vision

PTO 24 days + 13 holidays

401K contribution

Job summary

X8 in Columbia, MD is seeking a cleared Agile Release Train Engineer (RTE) to support SAFe practices for the JCW organization. Onsite with limited remote work, you will configure JIRA/Confluence, coordinate ART activities, and enable portfolio-level execution across JCWA.

Required are 7+ years as Scrum Master/RTE, SAFe certifications, and DoD/IC familiarity. Strong collaboration with government and contractor teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, CS, information systems or related field.
• Experience with SAFe implementations in technical/government environments.
• Hands-on JIRA/Confluence administration and configuration.

Responsibilities

• Configure and optimize JIRA/Confluence for portfolio planning and backlog management.
• Coordinate cross-team dependencies, risks, and program-level planning.
• Develop Agile metrics, dashboards, and portfolio visibility for leadership.
• Serve as Agile liaison between J9 Weapons Portfolio and JCWA Program Office.

Skills

RTE experience

Agile leadership

SAFe knowledge

Metrics & reporting

Stakeholder collaboration

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Atlassian tools

Job description

Agile Release Train Engineer (RTE) - Level 2

Columbia, Maryland

Job Description

X8 is seeking a cleared Agile Release Train Engineer (RTE) - Journeyman to support a federal opportunity with USCYBERCOM. This role will help establish and mature SAFe Agile practices supporting the J9 Weapons Portfolio and the Joint Cyber Warfighting (JCW) organization. The selected candidate will configure and administer JIRA and Confluence, facilitate Agile ceremonies, coordinate Agile Release Train (ART) activities, and enable portfolio‑level execution across the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA).

This position is primarily onsite in Columbia, MD, with limited remote work flexibility.

What You'll Be Doing

• Configure, administer, and optimize JIRA and Confluence to support portfolio planning, backlog management, dependency tracking, metrics, and knowledge management.
• Partner with Government stakeholders, Product Management, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and technical teams to improve Agile delivery and execution.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of SAFe Agile processes across multiple Agile Release Trains.
• Coordinate cross‑team dependencies, risks, impediments, and program‑level planning activities.
• Develop and maintain Agile metrics, dashboards, reporting, and portfolio visibility for leadership.
• Support the JCW portfolio management framework by applying SAFe Agile best practices tailored to cyber operations and capability development.
• Serve as an Agile liaison between the J9 Weapons Portfolio and the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA) Program Office.
• Promote continuous process improvement, knowledge management, and Agile maturity across the organization.
• Foster collaboration among Government personnel and multiple contractor teams to ensure successful execution of Agile initiatives.

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• 7+ years of relevant experience as a Scrum Master, Agile Release Lead, or Release Train Engineer
• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting SAFe Agile implementations in a technical or government environment.
• Hands‑on experience with the Atlassian tool suite, including JIRA and Confluence administration and configuration.
• Experience facilitating Agile ceremonies and coordinating work across multiple Scrum Teams or Agile Release Trains.
• Knowledge of Agile portfolio management, backlog refinement, dependency management, and Agile reporting.
• Experience driving process improvement and organizational Agile maturity.
• Ability to obtain a SAFe certification within 90 days of hire. Acceptable certifications include:
  • SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE)
  • SAFe Scrum Master (SSM/SASM)
  • SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM)
  • SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Experience serving as a Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master, Product Owner, Agile Coach, or Product Manager.
• Familiarity with the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA), Joint Cyber Warfighting (JCW), or USCYBERCOM mission.
• Experience supporting large‑scale Agile transformations within DoD or Intelligence Community environments.
• Knowledge of portfolio management, Lean Portfolio Management (LPM), or Solution Train coordination.
• Experience supporting executive‑level Agile reporting and governance.

Minimum Clearance Required

• Current and Active Top Secret SCI w/Polygraph

COMPENSATION

• Pay Range: $175,000+ (depending on experience, education)
• Up to $5,000 continuing education reimbursement
• Benefits: 100% medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance
• Time Off: 24 Days PTO and 13 holidays
• 401K: up to 10% 401(k) contribution