Release Train Engineer

Unity Compass; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Compass in Alexandria, VA is seeking a highly experienced Release Train Engineer to lead Agile delivery for a mission-critical GEOINT program. You will drive execution across multiple Agile teams, align with SAFe, and ensure value delivery for national security objectives.

The role requires deep SAFe expertise, track ART metrics, coordinate PI planning across time zones, mentor Scrum Masters, and partner with Product Owners; security clearance Top Secret/SCI and polygraph are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field with substantial experience.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI access and willingness to obtain polygraph.
• SAFe RTE, SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), or equivalent certification.
• 10+ years of experience delivering Agile programs, including 5+ years as RTE or similar role.
• Experience leading Agile/SAFe ceremonies across time zones with distributed teams.
• Strong SAFe, Lean-Agile, and DevSecOps knowledge; proficient with Jira/Confluence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as servant leader for the Agile Release Train (ART) and align with SAFe principles.
• Facilitate PI Planning, ART Syncs, Inspect & Adapt, and other SAFe ceremonies across distributed teams.
• Mentor Scrum Masters and Agile team members on best practices and risk management.
• Conduct regular 1:1s and performance planning with reports; address morale and development.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, System Architects, and leads to refine features and remove blockers.
• Track ART metrics and report progress, risks, and value delivered to leadership.
• Drive Lean-Agile improvements and DevSecOps integration across teams.
• Lead risk management with stakeholders and foster a culture of transparency and collaboration.

Skills

SAFe

RTE

SAFe SPC

Confluence

Jira

Security/DevSecOps

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

• [e-mail]
• Job Type: On-site
• Pay Range: $110,000 - $215,000
• Clearance Required: Top Secret/SCI

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced Release Train Engineer (RTE) to lead Agile delivery and cross-team coordination in support of a mission-critical geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) program. This position is responsible for driving execution across multiple Agile teams, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and consistent delivery of value to support key national security objectives.

The RTE will guide the implementation and continuous improvement of Agile principles, coordinate program-level planning and delivery, and facilitate communication across diverse teams and stakeholders. The ideal candidate combines strong leadership, organizational agility, and a deep understanding of scaled Agile frameworks to enable high-performing teams and efficient delivery of mission outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a servant leader and coach for the ART, ensuring alignment with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles and Lean-Agile best practices.
• Facilitate and optimize Program Increment (PI) Planning Events, ART Syncs, Inspect & Adapt workshops, and other key SAFe ceremonies across geographically distributed teams.
• Function as a people manager, with responsibility for performance management, professional development, mentorship, and career path development.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, biannual performance check-ins, and professional development planning with direct reports, proactively address employee relations and morale.
• Partner with Product Owners, System Architects, Scrum Masters, and technical leads refining features, prioritizing stories, removing delivery roadblocks, and optimizing flow.
• Track ART metrics (velocity, predictability, flow) and deliver transparent reporting to Leidos leadership and NGA stakeholders.
• Champion Agile best practices and promote continuous improvement of culture across Chinook development teams by identifying process gaps, implementing Lean-Agile practices, and coaching teams on SAFe principles.
• Lead the risk management process by identifying, escalating, and mitigating program risks in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Act as a leader, facilitating team dynamics, helping resolve conflicts, and fostering an environment of trust, respect, and shared purpose.
• Deliver regular program updates and status reports to Leidos leadership and NGA, providing insight into ART progress, risks, and valued delivered.
• Collaborate with NGA stakeholders to align delivery goals with mission priorities and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor Scrum Masters and Agile team members on Agile best practices, advanced facilitation, risk management, and DevSecOps best practices.
• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and innovation across geographically dispersed teams.

Basic Qualifications:

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field and 12-15 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Active Top Secret with the ability to obtain SCI, as well as a Polygraph.
• SAFe RTE, SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), or similar relevant certification.
• 10+ years of experience in Agile program delivery, including 5+ years as a Release Train Engineer or equivalent role.
• Experience facilitating Agile/SAFe ceremonies across time zones with geographically distributed teams.
• Deep understanding of SAFe, Lean-Agile principles, and DevSecOps practices.
• Proficiency with Agile tools such as Confluence and Jira.
• Exceptional leadership, facilitation, and communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience integrating security and DevOps pipelines in high-assurance software delivery.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate risks and blockers that may impede program success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in Continuous Integration (CI)/Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CD) integration, cloud migration, or enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Track record of mentoring Scrum Masters and Agile teams to higher levels of maturity.