Software Engineer / Release Train Engineer (RTE), TS/SCI

SW Engineer / Release Train Engineer (RTE)

SW Engineer Sr Principal 

Job Description

Seeking a Lead SW Engineer / Release Train Engineer (RTE) to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) supporting the Department of the Air Force. You will work directly with government, technical, and industry stakeholders to drive Agile execution across multiple teams, facilitate planning and delivery events, manage risks and dependencies, and help ensure alignment between product vision, system architecture, and program execution for mission-critical capabilities. You will play a crucial role in enabling program increment planning, improving delivery predictability, fostering continuous improvement, and establishing effective processes and operating rhythms that support the development and fielding of DoW software systems pertaining to Space Command and Control missions.

This position is based in Reston, VA, and focuses on supporting to coordinate execution across Agile teams, synchronize stakeholders around priorities and milestones, and promote transparency into program progress, risks, and delivery outcomes.

The Release Train Engineer shall assume primary responsibility for facilitating Agile Release Train (ART) execution across. The program is currently integrating 4 prototypes into 2 major sub-systems (Orchestration and Execution), with an initial priority on establishing the delivery framework, coordination model, and execution cadence needed to mature and transition capabilities effectively. This role executes the day-to-day RTE workload—including facilitating PI Planning and ART events, tracking cross-team dependencies, escalating impediments, managing risks, and driving continuous improvement as a key delivery leader and trusted advisor to the Government.

Typical job responsibilities Include:

• Proven servant-leader who enables high-performing Agile Release Trains (ARTs) by removing impediments, reducing delivery friction, and creating velocity across teams and stakeholders.
• Experienced in standing up new Agile teams and new ARTs, including defining team topologies, roles, working agreements, ceremonies, tooling, and initial operating cadence.
• Demonstrated success transitioning teams from waterfall / hybrid delivery to scaled Agile, including coaching leaders and practitioners, aligning governance, and driving adoption without disrupting delivery.
• Expert facilitator for core SAFe events (PI Planning, ART Sync/Scrum of Scrums, PO Sync, System Demos, Inspect & Adapt), driving clear outcomes, tight timeboxes, and measurable follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-team dependencies and external integrations, proactively surfacing conflicts and negotiating sequencing to protect program commitments.
• Effective risk manager who runs ROAM-based risk practices, keeps risk/issue visibility current, and escalates decisions with impact, options, and recommendations.
• Close partner to Product Management and System/Enterprise Architects to align priorities, capacity, technical runway, and quality—ensuring intent and delivery remain synchronized.

Qualifications

• 14 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Management Information Systems/Information Systems, or a related discipline; or a Master's degree and 12 years of experience; or a PhD/JD and 9 years of experience.

• 6 years of experience leading Agile software delivery efforts, serving in Release Train Engineer, Scrum Master, Agile Program Manager, or similar roles within SAP/SCI, DoD, or other complex mission environments.
• Experience supporting and/or managing technical programs throughout the software engineering life cycle, with demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple teams, stakeholders, and delivery increments.
• Experience facilitating Agile planning and execution activities, managing dependencies, risks, and impediments, and driving continuous improvement across cross-functional teams.
• Experience with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Agile development practices, and delivery metrics used to improve execution, predictability, and transparency.
• SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE), SAFe Scrum Master (SSM), SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM), PMI-ACP, PMP, or comparable Agile/program delivery certification is desired.
• Requires an active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information and Special Program access, as well as a willingness to consent to a polygraph examination.

You will wow us even more if you have experience will the following:

• Strong systems thinker who understands end-to-end value delivery, identifies flow bottlenecks, and improves throughput/predictability across the ART—not just within individual teams.
• Metrics-driven delivery leader who applies Lean flow and predictability indicators (e.g., burnup/burn-down, cycle time, WIP, ART predictability, escaped defects) to drive improvement without creating a blame culture.
• Skilled coach and mentor to Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and leaders—reinforcing Lean-Agile principles, backlog quality, refinement discipline, and sustainable delivery practices.
• Strong communicator who translates between technical teams and executive/program leadership; produces crisp status narratives, decision briefs, and clear “asks” to enable rapid decision-making.
• Proven change agent who drives continuous improvement via experiments, retrospectives/Inspect & Adapt outcomes, and pragmatic rollout plans for scaled Agile practices in complex or regulated environments.

Blue Sky Innovators, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a qualified job seeker with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access http://www.blueskyinnovators.com as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, please email us at careers@blueskyinnovators.com and provide your name and contact information. Please note: this is only for job seekers with disabilities requesting an accommodation.