Solution Train Engineer (TS/SCI w FSP)

About the role

Seeking a Solution Train Engineer to support a nationally significant and fast-paced program. An experienced, energetic Solution Train Engineer (STE) is needed to facilitate Solution Train and Agile Release Train (ART) operations for a very large program using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) for a critical program that currently engages a Solution Train and three ARTs. The selected individual will help the Release Train Engineers (RTEs) monitor performance, manage change, resolve impediments, and drive relentless improvement. The ideal candidate will have considerable prior experience leading agile teams and will have the expertise required to step into a leadership role as a Solution Train Engineer on a large, complex program with exacting interface, performance, and security requirements. Strong communication skills, flexibility, and persistence are a must. Program execution follows DEVOPS best practices and employs robust development, test, and production environments. The program uses Behavior Driven Development (BDD) and test automation tools alongside a full suite of team collaboration tools. The program provides system engineering, development, test, integration, and operational support, and is focused on injecting new technology and adding advanced capabilities while continuing to support an ongoing mission and operational system.

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate Solution Train and Agile Release Train (ART) operations using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) for a Solution Train and three ARTs.
• Work with the SAFe governance layer participants & stakeholders on program execution.
• Facilitate allocation of work and new resources to ARTs.
• Monitor program performance, resolve impediments, and develop and implement solutions for driving improvement.
• Coordinate schedule execution and plan program-wide software/architecture releases.
• Lead/facilitate Program Increment (PI) Planning, including logistics and technical preparation.
• Lead/facilitate Solution Train planning events and pre- and post- planning meetings.
• Lead/facilitate cross-team collaboration within the program via Scrum of Scrums meetings and other less formal forums in support of development, testing, and deployment efforts.
• Track the execution of features and capabilities through Metrics across the program's agile and DevOps teams.
• Brief customers on the development progress throughout the PI cycle on program status, including the status of testing, deployment, and release readiness.
• Assess skillset needs and collaborate with leadership to staff program openings.
• Provide input on resourcing to address critical bottlenecks.
• Coach teams, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Project/Program Leaders in agile practices.
• Promote teamwork to achieve PI goals.
• Guide teams towards agile maturity.
• Foster Communities of Practice and the use of engineering and Built-In Quality practices.

Education requirements

Degree

Bachelor

Major

Computer Science

Job Requirements

• Must have Full Scope Poly.
• Five (5) or more years of experience working with large software development, systems, integration, and test efforts.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience leading teams or projects.
• Demonstrated experience as a Scrum Master.
• Demonstrated experience as either a Release Train Engineer or Solution Train Engineer.
• Demonstrated experience applying SAFe.
• Ability to understand technical concepts and communicate them effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with an Agile software development team, managing project deadlines, ideally in a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or Development Lead role.
• Experience briefing leadership/customers on key status and project progression.
• Experience communicating with and briefing status to external stakeholders, including customer/government representatives.
• Experience using agile project management tools (e.g. Jira, VersionOne, Rally, IBM ELM).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment across diverse systems and groups.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have the ability to manage time extremely well and quickly sense when an issue needs to be addressed or triaged.
• Strong attention to detail and focus on task completion are critical.
• Bachelor's degree and at least 20 years of relevant experience. A degree in a technical field is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience as a Solution Train Engineer on a technical program is preferred.
• Significant technology experience in software development, test, or systems engineering such that a candidate could qualify for the program as a participant software, test, or systems engineer.
• Previous Release, Project, or Program Management experience.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary development teams.
• Experience using SAFe as the agile development methodology, including experience participating in a Program Increment Planning session.
• Scaled Agile certification, such as SAFe Agilist (SA), SAFe RTE, etc.
• Experience in the software development lifecycle - as a developer, tester, analyst, product manager, project/program manager, etc.
• Experience applying test automation, test-driven development, continuous integration, and continuous deployment to achieve built-in quality.