SAFe IT Program Manager - Agile Release Train Lead

Compunnel Inc.; Aliso Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT solutions firm in Aliso Viejo, California, is seeking an IT Project Manager to lead program-level execution in a scaled Agile (SAFe) environment. The role focuses on driving delivery across multiple teams, facilitating Agile practices, managing risks, and ensuring continuous improvement. Candidates should have at least 12 years of IT experience, with a strong background in Agile methodologies, and possess excellent communication and leadership skills. Experience with various technologies is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of IT experience with at least 4+ years in a scaled Agile environment as a Program or Project Manager.
• Experience managing multiple teams and delivering complex programs.
• Strong knowledge of Agile, Scrum, and SAFe methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Agile Release Trains (ART) and guide implementation of SAFe practices.
• Plan and facilitate Program Increment (PI) planning and program-level Agile ceremonies.
• Drive continuous improvement through metrics, feedback, and Agile best practices.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Scrum practices

SAFe practices

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Java/J2EE

APIs

microservices

SQL/NoSQL

cloud technologies

containers

CI/CD

Job description

We are seeking an IT Project Manager to lead program-level execution within a scaled Agile (SAFe) environment. This role focuses on driving delivery across multiple teams, facilitating Agile practices, managing risks, and ensuring continuous improvement across enterprise programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Agile Release Trains (ART) and guide implementation of SAFe practices
• Plan and facilitate Program Increment (PI) planning and program-level Agile ceremonies
• Act as a SAFe facilitator and coach at the program level
• Support Agile transformations and ART launches across teams
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define priorities, deliver value, and align on program goals
• Facilitate Scrum of Scrums and support team-level Agile ceremonies when needed
• Identify and resolve impediments in a timely and effective manner
• Track and report key Agile metrics such as burn-down, burn-up charts, and cumulative flow diagrams
• Drive continuous improvement through metrics, feedback, and Agile best practices
• Provide Agile training and guidance to teams and stakeholders
• Coordinate across teams, business units, and leadership to ensure alignment and delivery

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of IT experience with at least 4+ years in a scaled Agile environment as a Program or Project Manager
• Experience managing multiple teams and delivering complex programs
• Experience launching and managing Agile Release Trains (ART)
• Strong knowledge of Agile, Scrum, and SAFe methodologies
• Strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and leadership skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments

Preferred Qualifications

• SAFe certification such as SPC
• Experience with technologies such as Java/J2EE, APIs, microservices, SQL/NoSQL, cloud, containers, and CI/CD
• Experience with Big Data platforms
• Experience working in both startup and enterprise environments