Release Train Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Cydecor is a premier Federal Government solutions provider, delivering differentiated innovations in mission systems and business platforms. We leverage leading-edge secure systems and software development, backed by industry-leading subject matter expertise, and business intelligence to enable decision-support and remain ahead of ever-evolving national security challenges. Our success rests squarely on three bedrock principles: People, our center of gravity; Mission, what inspires us; and an unyielding commitment to Excellence, what separates us.

Job Description:

We're looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager/SAFe Release Train Engineer to run delivery across a multi-team Agile Release Train on a large Navy readiness reporting program. You'll be the person who makes the train run - planning and facilitating PI Planning, holding the cadence, surfacing cross-team dependencies before they bite, and clearing the impediments that slow teams down. This is a hands-on facilitation and coaching role, not an administrative one. Because the organization is standing up its ART for the first time, you'll be the resident SAFe expert from day one: setting up the ceremonies and the program board, coaching Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and teams, and owning the release path from development through production. You need to do all of this with no ramp-up - the program is counting on you to bring the experience, not learn it here.

Responsibilities include:

Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate PI Planning end to end - preparation, team readiness, agenda, and the event itself - so every team leaves with a committed, aligned plan.
• Facilitate the recurring ART events - ART Sync (Scrum of Scrums and PO Sync), System Demos, and Inspect & Adapt - and keep the cadence predictable.
• Own the program board and the ART risk and impediment backlog. Surface cross-team dependencies early, escalate the ones that matter, and clear the blockers teams can't clear themselves.
• Own the release path from development through production, coordinating with operations, test, and security gates so finished work reaches users without surprises.
• Coach the train. Build up the Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and teams; track the few flow metrics that reveal bottlenecks; and drive continuous improvement PI over PI.
  

Additional duties and Responsibilities of the Senior Project Manager/SAFe Release Train Engineer include, but are not limited to the following:

• Stay current. SAFe practice, facilitation techniques, and Lean-Agile tooling keep evolving - bring useful changes back to the train and the program.
• Communicate delivery status, risks, and dependencies clearly - in writing and out loud - to teams, product, and program leadership.
• Build the train's playbooks and reusable patterns - readiness checklists, facilitation guides, and templates - so the practice doesn't live only in your head.
• Take ownership. When something is broken or missing, fix it or get it fixed.
  

Here's what you need:

• Minimum 10 years managing complex software/IT development efforts, including team leadership, customer coordination, and directing execution of technical and program objectives.
• At least 3 years working as a Release Train Engineer, personally responsible for planning and facilitating PI Planning and all ART events for a multi-team Agile Release Train. Attendance or participation without ownership of PI Planning facilitation does not meet this requirement.
• Expert-level facilitation of the full SAFe event set: PI Planning, ART Sync (Scrum of Scrums and PO Sync), System Demos, and Inspect & Adapt.
• Proven success coaching Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and teams, and standing up or running an ART - ideally including a transition from team-level Scrum to SAFe.
• Current SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) certification (required). Able to serve as the organization's SAFe subject matter expert with no ramp-up and to train all ART roles.
  

Bonus Points If You Have:

• SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) certification
• Experience using Azure DevOps (ADO) for ART planning and tracking
• Experience scaling Agile across multiple teams in a regulated, security-gated delivery environment
• Prior U.S. Navy experience, especially with:
  • Navy readiness reporting
  • U.S. Navy staff officer experience
  • Prior work on DoD or Navy software programs
• Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt
• CMMI Process Quality Assurance experience
  

Security Clearance:

• DoD Secret Clearance

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field such as computer science, information systems, engineering, mathematics, or a related discipline. Master's degree desired. Equivalent additional relevant experience may substitute for the degree.

Work Schedule:

• M-F, 8 hours

Compensation and Benefits:
The projected compensation range for this position is $145,000-190,000. There are numerous factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the role, work location, education/certifications, and a contract's Labor Categories.

Cydecor offers a comprehensive compensation package including Health and Dental Insurance, Vision and Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, 401(K) + company match, Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Company Holidays, Tuition and Professional Development Assistance and more.

What We Believe
We have an unwavering commitment to diversity with the aim that every one of our people has a full sense of belonging within our organization. As a business imperative, every person at Cydecor has the responsibility to create and sustain an inclusive environment.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Cydecor is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA). All employment and hiring decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to race, religion, color, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, sex, gender identity & expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and/or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site because of your disability. You can request assistance by contacting HR@cydecor.com or calling 703-884-2105.