Agile Transformation Coach

SAIC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an experienced Agile Transformation Coach to support a large DoD/Navy organization at San Diego Navy Base. You will be embedded on-site with mission-focused teams and senior leaders, maturing a SAFe-based transformation and building a high-performing agile network aligned to mission threads and value delivery.

The role requires strong training and neutral facilitation skills, with experience working in SCIF environments and an active Top Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with active Top Secret clearance or ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• SAFe certified trainer or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• 5+ years hands-on Agile coaching experience.
• Experience forming, launching, and stabilizing cross-functional Agile teams.
• Bachelor's degree plus 18 years experience or Master’s degree with 16 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Coach leaders and teams in SAFe practices at portfolio, program, and team levels.
• Evolve PI planning to improve flow, prioritization, and alignment to mission outcomes.
• Help PMs and BAs act like product managers/owners and prioritize by value and urgency.
• On-site coaching with mission-focused teams and senior leaders at San Diego Navy Base.
• Design and run training and learning sessions; facilitate critical conversations and workshops.

Skills

SAFe coaching

Agile training

Facilitation

Scrum

Kanban

Portfolio coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/IS/Business

Master's degree

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Agile Transformation Coach to support a large DoD/Navy organization at San Diego Navy Base. You'll be embedded on-site with mission-focused teams and senior leaders, helping them mature an ongoing SAFe-based transformation, strengthen agile ways of working, and evolve into a high-performing agile network organized around mission threads and value delivery. This is a hands-on role for a coach who is outcome-driven, has a deep understanding of SAFe and Agile, and is comfortable at the portfolio and program levels. The ideal candidate has a rich background as an engaging trainer and a neutral facilitator, able to lead training, workshops, and critical conversations in a way that is inclusive, objective, and focused on outcomes. We are looking for someone who demonstrates a strong growth mindset, actively seeks and welcomes feedback, and uses that feedback to continuously improve their coaching, training, and facilitation approach. The coach must be skilled at working with technical and executive stakeholders, some of whom will be in SCIF environments. This role will be on site in San Diego, CA. Candidates must have a Top Secret clearance.

Agile / SAFe Transformation & Portfolio Coaching

• Coach leaders and teams in advancing SAFe and broader agile practices at the portfolio, program, and team levels.
• Evolve current PI Planning practices, improving flow, prioritization, and alignment to mission outcomes.
• Help PMs and business owners think and act like product managers/owners, prioritizing work by value, risk, relative size, complexity, and urgency.
• Support re-organizations and operating model changes to create a coherent, value-focused agile network of teams.

Team Formation & Ways of Working

• Help form and stabilize cross-functional agile teams aligned to mission threads and value streams.
• Coach teams in Scrum, Kanban, Scrumban, and hybrid approaches; tailor practices to the context and constraints of the Navy environment.
• Be on-site with teams daily to improve collaboration, ceremonies, and delivery automation; remove impediments and foster continuous improvement.
• Serve as a neutral facilitator for key meetings and workshops, ensuring balanced participation and constructive outcomes.

Learning Dojos & High-Demand Training Environment

• Design and run learning dojos (learning-by-doing sessions) on real work, not theory.
• Deliver SAFe and agile training, and facilitate sessions on agile concepts, DevSecOps, lean flow, and team dynamics as an engaging, interactive trainer.
• Create concise, practical learning artifacts for busy, mission-driven staff.
• Incorporate feedback from participants and stakeholders to continually refine and improve training content and delivery.

Collaboration with Technical Practices

• Work closely with DevSecOps, MBSE, automation, and engineering leads to ensure agile practices support technical excellence and speed-to-capability.
• Help align pipelines, model-based engineering efforts, and automation initiatives with incremental delivery and portfolio priorities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related field; and 18 years of experience.
• Masters and 16 years of experience.
• Candidates must be U.S. Citizens
• Candidates must have an active Top Secret clearance with the ability to get a TS/SCI
• Candidates must be SAFe certified trainer or must have the ability to get that certification within 90 days.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience coaching and implementing Agile practices.
• Experience forming, launching, and stabilizing cross‑functional Agile teams including clarifying roles, responsibilities, and working agreements.
• Experience designing and delivering practical, hands‑on learning experiences such as: Dojos, Workshops, Simulations - Ability to deliver concise, audience-appropriate training on:
• Core Agile and SAFe concept
• Agile ceremonies and cadences with CI/CD pipelines