Release Train Engineer

Release Train Engineer

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is the chief facilitator and servant leader for Motion's Agile Release Train (ART). Rather than guiding a single team, this role facilitates ART-level events and processes, drives the flow of value across all teams on the train, and coaches Scrum Masters, teams, and stakeholders in Lean-Agile best practices and principles. The RTE is accountable for the predictability and quality of ART delivery, establishing cadence, surfacing and resolving cross-team dependencies and risks, maturing planning discipline, and reporting program-level metrics that inform leadership decisions. This role operates within Motion's SAFe-based delivery model and partners closely with Product Management, System Architecture, Scrum Masters, and Business Owners to align execution to planned value, increase speed and agility, and enhance overall outcomes and quality.

You must be eligible to work in the US without Visa Sponsorship

Job Duties

1. Facilitates and continuously improves the ART's core events: PI Planning, ART Sync (Scrum of Scrums and Product Owner Sync), the program-level System Demo, and the Inspect & Adapt workshop.
2. Establishes and communicates the annual calendar of Iterations and Program Increments (PIs); manages the ART cadence and Innovation & Planning (IP) periods.
3. Drives the flow of value through the ART; establishes and maintains the ART/program Kanban system (stages, WIP policies, and supporting tooling), and facilitates the identification, ROAMing, and resolution of cross-team risks and dependencies.
4. Tracks, escalates, and removes program-level impediments that span multiple teams.
5. Owns ART delivery metrics including PI predictability, objective scoring, and flow/quality measures and reports them to leadership to support decision-making.
6. Ensures train-wide visibility of critical data including dependencies, risks, impediments, Inspect & Adapt actions, and PI metrics as a single source of truth for the ART and its stakeholders.
7. Coaches Scrum Masters, Agile teams, Product Owners, and stakeholders in SAFe and Lean-Agile principles; matures the train's delivery discipline, estimation normalization, and planning quality.
8. Coaches Business Owners, System Architects, and Product Management in Lean-Agile practice, fostering collaboration across these roles and the teams.
9. Builds and sustains cross-team Communities of Practice to share knowledge and mature Agile capability across the ART.
10. Aggregates and normalizes estimates and forecasts across teams to support reliable PI commitments.
11. Partners with Product Management and Business Owners on prioritization, operating within Lean budgets and guardrails to align team execution to planned program and value-stream intent.
12. Fosters an environment of transparency, relentless improvement, and continuous learning across the ART.
13. Maintains ART tooling and reporting of record (e.g., Azure DevOps), ensuring data integrity for objectives, metrics, and team health.
14. Adapts ART and Scrum practices using independent judgment to improve quality, predictability, and timeliness.
15. Communicates program status, risks, and outcomes to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

Typically requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and eight (8) or more years of related Agile delivery experience, including demonstrated experience facilitating a scaled Agile framework (SAFe) at the program/ART level or an equivalent combination. Three (3) or more years in a Release Train Engineer or equivalent ART-facilitation role is required, including experience facilitating PI Planning and leading other Scrum Masters (e.g., Scrum of Scrums).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

In-depth knowledge of SAFe and Agile Release Trains (ART), including ART events, roles, and cadence.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate large, cross-team events (e.g., PI Planning) and to lead and coach other Scrum Masters.
• Strong servant leadership, facilitation, situational awareness, conflict resolution, and continual-improvement skills at scale.
• Skilled in cross-team dependency and risk management, and in driving the flow of value across multiple teams.
• Proficiency with program-level metrics and reporting (e.g., predictability, flow/DORA measures) and the tooling that supports them (e.g., Azure DevOps).
• Working knowledge of Lean economics and prioritization techniques.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills across cross-functional teams; able to translate technical information for non-technical and executive audiences.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Expert written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Physical Demands

This role blends sedentary work with periods of active, on-site facilitation. Day to day, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods and to operate a computer and other standard office equipment, including frequent use of hands and fingers for typing. During Program Increment (PI) Planning and other large-scale ART events, the role involves prolonged standing and walking moving between teams, facilitating program and Kanban boards, and remaining on their feet for extended portions of multi-day sessions. This role requires the ability to communicate and exchange accurate information verbally and in writing across full-day meetings, and occasional lifting or moving of event materials and equipment (up to 25 pounds). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Licenses & Certifications

SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) required. SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

Individual-contributor role with no direct reports.

Budget Responsibility

N/A

Company Information

Motion offers an excellent benefits package which includes options for healthcare coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, vacation, sick, and holiday pay.

Disclaimer: This job description illustrates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job classification. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and skills required. Management retains the right to add or modify duties at any time.

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