Release Train Engineer I

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a senior leader responsible for enabling high-performing Agile Release Trains (ARTs) delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives. This role drives program-level execution through orchestration of Program Increment (PI) planning, ART synchronization, and continuous improvement while ensuring predictable, high-quality delivery of business value.

Provides servant leadership and coaching to a program-level Agile Release Train (ART) containing multiple cross-functional agile teams through effective application of Agile principles. Ensures all teams within the ART are positioned to deliver value to the organization while maintaining transparency, delivery predictability, and alignment to strategic outcomes.

The RTE establishes transparency across the ART, proactively manages risks and dependencies, and partners with Product, Engineering, and Business leadership to align execution with business objectives. Additionally, this role champions the adoption of AI-enabled agile operations, leveraging tools such as Jira Rovo and advanced analytics to improve flow, reduce manual overhead, and accelerate decision-making.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate program-level agile ceremonies including Program Increment (PI) Planning, Scrum of Scrums, ART Syncs, system demos, Inspect & Adapt events, and retrospectives

• Ensure ART readiness across scope, teams, architecture, and dependencies to drive successful PI execution and outcomes

• Drive delivery predictability through proactive management of progress, forecasting, risks, dependencies, and impediments

• Establish and maintain transparency into ART execution through program-level dashboards, metrics, and real-time reporting

• Keep stakeholders informed of ART progress, ensuring alignment with program objectives, Institutional Services priorities, and strategic outcomes

• Leverage data and analytics to identify bottlenecks, optimize flow, and support data-driven decision-making

• Partner with Senior Product Owners to ensure the program backlog is well-defined, prioritized, and aligned to business value

• Facilitate intake, prioritization, and distribution of work across ART teams

• Coordinate cross-team and cross-ART dependencies to enable seamless execution and minimize delivery friction

• Identify, track, and mitigate risks and impediments, escalating where necessary to ensure continuous progress

• Drive release planning activities and ensure successful delivery of value through program-level alignment

• Lead and coach Scrum Masters within the ART to drive consistency, maturity, and excellence in agile practices

• Influence senior leaders and stakeholders to adopt Lean-Agile principles and improve organizational agility

• Drive continuous improvement through retrospectives, Inspect & Adapt practices, and management of an ART improvement backlog

• Collaborate with other Release Train Engineers to standardize practices and optimize execution across the organization

• Participate in Agile Communities of Practice to enhance delivery effectiveness and foster innovation

• Lead adoption of AI-enabled agile capabilities, including Jira Rovo, to improve efficiency and reporting

• Leverage AI tools to automate reporting, generate insights, and proactively surface risks, blockers, and dependencies

• Continuously evaluate emerging AI capabilities to improve ART performance and decision-making

• Ensure alignment of epics, features, and execution to business outcomes, OKRs, and strategic objectives

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership across a program-level Agile Release Train (ART) consisting of multiple cross-functional agile teams

• Supports the delivery of technology solutions aligned to Institutional Services priorities, including regulatory, client, and operational initiatives

• Drives execution, alignment, and delivery of business value across large-scale, complex programs

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities:

• The jobholder has direct management responsibility for 4 – 10 Scrum Masters supporting teams within the ART

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 11 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization

• Minimum of 2 years’ proven managerial, supervisory and/or work leadership experience

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a member of an Agile team

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner

• Depth of knowledge in an IT execution role (e.g., Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Product Owner)

• Proven track record in scaled Agile environments (e.g., SAFe)

• Experience with program-level reporting, forecasting, and delivery metrics

• Experience fostering team self-organization and continuous improvement

• Strong knowledge of Agile and Lean principles and practices

• Experience developing or managing digital or institutional technology capabilities

• Familiarity with AI-enabled delivery tools and agile analytics (e.g., Jira Rovo or similar)

• Understanding of Design Thinking principles

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Proven ability to lead through influence across senior stakeholders

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M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $136,000.00 - $226,600.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America

M&T Bank Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including disabilities and veterans.