Lead Release Train Engineer

Lead Release Train Engineer

The Lead Release Train Engineer (RTE) serves as the servant leader, facilitator, and coach for a complex Agile Release Train (ART), supporting multiple Scrum teams in delivering business value through the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). This role is responsible for facilitating ART execution, promoting Agile best practices, removing impediments, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Lead Release Train Engineer collaborates closely with business and technology leaders to drive alignment, transparency, predictability, and successful delivery of strategic initiatives.

The Lead Release Train Engineer performs advanced work requiring extensive experience, independent judgment, and the ability to solve complex problems across large-scale programs and value streams.

The Lead Release Train Engineer serves as the primary facilitator and coach for a complex Agile Release Train (ART), ensuring alignment with SAFe principles and Agile best practices. This role partners with business and technology stakeholders to optimize value delivery, improve program execution, and drive continuous improvement across teams. The Lead Release Train Engineer leverages Agile metrics, assessments, and feedback mechanisms to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, collaboration, and delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary facilitator and servant leader for a complex Agile Release Train (ART), ensuring effective adoption and execution of SAFe principles, practices, and ceremonies.
• Lead and facilitate ART events, including Program Increment (PI) Planning, Scrum of Scrums, System Demos, Inspect and Adapt Workshops, and other program-level ceremonies.
• Facilitate PI Planning readiness through continuous exploration, roadmap alignment, backlog refinement, and pre- and post-PI planning activities.
• Coach, mentor, and influence Scrum Masters, Product Owners, technical teams, business partners, and leaders at all levels, including executive leadership, on Lean-Agile practices and mindsets.
• Partner with Product Management, Product Owners, Solution Management, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment between strategic objectives and execution.
• Identify, manage, and help resolve program-level dependencies, risks, and impediments that impact the flow of value across teams.
• Drive continuous improvement by facilitating Inspect and Adapt workshops and leading the execution of improvement initiatives.
• Promote collaboration among teams, architects, engineering leaders, and business stakeholders to improve delivery outcomes.
• Utilize Agile metrics, dashboards, and program health indicators to assess ART performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support the development and maturation of value streams and Agile delivery practices across the organization.
• Foster Communities of Practice and encourage the adoption of engineering excellence and built-in quality practices.
• Ensure teams maintain focus on quality, predictability, continuous delivery, and the achievement of business outcomes.
• Partner with the Agility Enablement organization to improve program execution, operational excellence, and Agile maturity.
• Exercise considerable independent judgment and decision-making while establishing priorities, managing competing demands, and guiding work across multiple teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• 7+ years of related experience, including 5+ years serving as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer, or similar Agile leadership role supporting large-scale, technically complex initiatives.
• Extensive experience leading Agile Release Trains within a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment.
• Advanced knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, and Lean-Agile principles.
• Demonstrated success leading large, complex programs and value streams across multiple teams and stakeholder groups.
• Experience influencing and collaborating with senior leaders, business stakeholders, product teams, portfolio management, and technology organizations.
• Strong facilitation, communication, coaching, and leadership skills with the ability to drive alignment through influence.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship-building capabilities.
• Passion for continuous improvement and delivering exceptional customer and business outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency with Agile Lifecycle Management tools, such as Jira Align, and Azure DevOps.
• Current SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE), SAFe Program Consultant (SPC), or comparable SAFe certification.
• Advanced Agile certifications, such as ASM, A-SPC, CSP-SM, A-CSM, or PSM III.
• Agile Coaching certifications, such as ICP-ATF, ICP-ACC, or Certified Team Coach (CTC).
• Lean, Agile, Six Sigma, or related process improvement certifications.
• Experience within healthcare, health insurance, or other highly regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and modern product delivery practices.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale Agile transformations and organizational change initiatives.

This role plays a critical part in enabling high-performing Agile teams and driving the successful execution of strategic business initiatives. The Lead Release Train Engineer fosters collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence while helping teams deliver meaningful business value through disciplined Agile practices and Lean-Agile principles.

Work at Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees' ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Pay Range: $129,300 - $177,800 per year

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits: Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, "Humana") offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

About Us

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.