Release Train Engineer

Position Title: Release Train Engineer
Location: Hybrid (Arlington, VA 2 days a week)

Other Considerations: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Required)

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a Release Train Engineer (RTE) to join our team. In this role you will be responsible for guiding Agile Release Train (ART) activities within a large-scale digital modernization initiative supporting our VA Customer. The position supports an active, multi-team program and will step into an in-progress environment requiring a quick ramp-up and steady leadership. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about facilitating all key Scaled Agile (SAFe) ceremonies and program events in a high visibility program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, prepare, and facilitate Program Increment (PI) Planning events, including pre-planning, the two-day event, and follow-up readouts and management reviews
• Facilitate ART ceremonies: Scrum of Scrums / cross-team syncs, ART syncs, system demos, and Inspect & Adapt
• Own and actively manage the program dependency board, capturing inbound/outbound dependencies across teams and external partners, and driving them to firm commitments
• Track, escalate, and resolve program-level risks and impediments; facilitate Resolved, Owned, Accepted, Mitigated (ROAM) at PI Planning and throughout execution
• Coordinate across multiple prime contractors and government stakeholders, aligning delivery toward a shared milestone in a heavily dependency-driven environment
• Partner with Product Management and the System/Solution Architect to maintain alignment between the program backlog, architectural runway, and sprint-level execution
• Drive teams from broad discussion toward sprint-level granularity, with explicit dependency capture and risk logging
• Surface and help navigate security, privacy, and authorization timelines (e.g., Authority-to-Operate (ATO) bundling and approval sequencing) that affect the delivery schedule
• Track program metrics (predictability, velocity, dependency and risk burndown) and report status to program leadership and the customer
• Coach Scrum Masters, teams, and stakeholders on SAFe practices, improving ART maturity over successive PIs
• Protect the train's focus by helping distinguish committed near-term scope from future-state work

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience (or commensurate experience), including demonstrated experience as a Release Train Engineer or in a senior program-level Agile leadership role on a SAFe Agile Release Train
• 8+ years of relevant experience as an RTE
• Proven experience serving as a Release Train Engineer (or equivalent ART-level facilitator) on a SAFe program
• Current SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) certification
• Demonstrated experience planning and facilitating full PI Planning events end to end (pre-, during, and post-event)
• Strong, proven background facilitating ART ceremonies: Scrum of Scrums, ART syncs, system demos, and Inspect & Adapt
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-team and external dependencies, and driving dependency-owning teams to firm commitments
• Proven program-level risk and impediment management, including ROAM facilitation
• Experience coordinating delivery across multiple teams and/or vendors toward a fixed delivery milestone
• Hands-on proficiency with Agile program management and collaboration tooling (e.g., Jira, Mural or equivalent)
• Strong attention to detail, excellent documentation skills, and the ability to lead planning, coordination, and reporting with minimal supervision
• Strong troubleshooting, critical-thinking, and organizational skills, with the ability to drive teams from open-ended discussion to actionable specificity
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills across technical teams, leadership, and government customers
• Ability to obtain and maintain the clearance / suitability level required for VA program access: VA Public Trust

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting VA or other federal civilian agency programs
• Familiarity with identity, authentication, or single sign-on programs (e.g., OAuth/OIDC concepts, credential service providers)
• Experience navigating federal security and authorization processes (ATO, security/privacy reviews)
• Experience standing up or maturing a new Agile Release Train

WORKING CONDITIONS

Standard Business hours are Monday through Friday. Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required based on operational needs. Must have reliable internet service that allows for effective telecommuting

BENEFITS

Sprezzatura offers a comprehensive and flexible benefit package to include:

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Sprezzatura participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Sprezzatura is a mission-driven, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that thrives at the intersection of technology, innovation, and impact. We specialize in secure, scalable, and human-centered digital solutions that accelerate government transformation. Our work spans DevSecOps, health IT modernization, intelligent automation, benefits delivery, and digital communications. We partner with agencies ready to evolve-delivering not just strategy, but measurable execution. Rooted in operational excellence and driven by curiosity, we help our clients navigate complexity with clarity, turning ambitious ideas into real-world outcomes. No buzzwords. Just impact.

EEO STATEMENT

Sprezzatura is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Applicants have the right to discuss, disclose, or inquire about compensation without retaliation. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract and does not guarantee employment for any specific duration.