SAFe Release Train Engineer (Hybrid) at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

SAFe Release Train Engineer (Hybrid)

Job ID: req3912
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Division: Enterprise Information Technology
Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick
Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.  The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Enterprise IT Directorate (EIT) provides services and solutions that support the FFRDC operational organizations, as well as scientific communities across the NCI-Frederick and Frederick National Lab. Services and solutions provided range from IT infrastructure (enterprise network, compute and storage) to back-office systems to end user services. EIT includes a program management office (EIT PMO), responsible for the processes that govern work intake and governance, as well as solution selection, deployment and sustainment. In addition to assuring the framework, our EIT PMO leads capability delivery from ingest to analysis of alternatives through deployment and sunset. EIT has begun transitioning to the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) with our PMO in the lead. We are confident that this move will improve our solution delivery and sustainment, managing the full life cycle.

***This position can be hired as either a SAFe Release Train Engineer II or III. Must be able to work on-site 1 day/week in Frederick, MD.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

EIT PMO is looking for a Release Train Engineer (RTE) to lead our SAFe transition. Working with the EIT leadership team and the Leidos Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), the RTE will define value stream(s) and the teams to execute the value streams in a structure aligned with SAFe. This is an opportunity for an experienced RTE or Senior SCRUM master to transform a willing organization to SAFe.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Serve as a Release Train Engineer (RTE)/Lean-Agile Leader, coordinating our organizational transformation
• Work with EIT leadership and functional teams to create a SAFe implementation plan, defining value stream(s), teams, roles and the priority of implementation
• Ensure clear communication working alongside Scrum Masters to remove impediments
• Use the appropriate SAFe methodology (Scrum/Kanban/XP) to facilitate the ART (Agile Release Train) level activities
• Help the team embrace Lean-Agile Values, adopt and apply Lean-Agile Principles, and implement Lean- Agile practices
• Manage and optimize the flow of value through the ART
• Facilitate ART level events (including I&A, SoS) in helping to manage risks and dependencies
• Drive the journey towards high-performing teams and ARTs in order to promote Business Value delivery
• Define and implement ART level metrics to help the ARTs improve and take responsibility for their actions
• Teach problem-solving techniques and support the Scrum Masters as coaches for their Agile team
• Help the Product Management in their efforts to:
  • Work with product managers and architects to manage and prioritize the ART Feature Backlog
  • Generate a Vision
  • Maintain the EIT Roadmap
  • Define and document the ART’s development value stream
  • Coach ART members on understanding their value stream

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science or Information Systems from an accredited college/university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
  • SAFe Release Train Engineer II: In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of two (2) years of SAFe engineering/management experience, including successful role as Senior SCRUM Master OR Release Train Engineer
  • SAFe Release Train Engineer III: In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of SAFe engineering/management experience, including successful role as Senior SCRUM Master OR Release Train Engineer
• Related SAFe SCRUM Master certification
• Experience leading or managing IT solutions, deploying COTS and/or developing software, with an understanding of both SDLC and Agile Framework
• Experience working with Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming
• Experience using Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, Git or similar agile management tools
• Working knowledge in various technologies to include Cloud Computing, Big Data, DevSecOps, and Automation
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• SAFe Release Train Engineer or SAFe Practice Consultant (RTE/SPC)

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES

• Leading and coaching SAFe Agile teams using SCRUM and Kanban
• Facilitation of Agile Release Train (ART) events
• Agile coaching for Product Owners, SCRUM Masters, Product Managers
• Experience as SAFe SCRUM Master or SAFe RTE for multiple agile teams
• Good interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation
• Must be able to motivate the team members in challenging environment

Commitment to Diversity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

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