Release Train Engineer

Overview

This role is responsible for optimizing the flow of epics/features and the value delivered by a complex/larger Agile Release Train (ART), and is focused on serving the needs of the train to drive performance and growth. Key responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating the ART ceremonies, managing dependencies across teams in the ART, and providing visibility into the health of epic/feature delivery and the overall program increment.

This role ensures impediments to epic/feature delivery are resolved quickly, protects the teams from outside disruptions to delivery, and drives continuous improvement for the ART. They assist with resource planning, and facilitate synch points between business and technology leaders. In addition, they promote and coach the Agile mindset and principles, enabling the ART to become high‑performing as one cohesive team.

• Guides and coaches leaders, teams, and Scrum Masters in the Agile Release Train on Agile practices and develops their understanding of Agile principles
• Executes program increment session for release train and facilitates Agile release train ceremonies
• Provides status updates regarding Agile Release Train plans, delivery, timelines, and impediments to stakeholders and leadership while communicating within the Agile Release Train to support delivery against program commitments
• Manages risk including dependency management, impediment removal, and compliance with Enterprise Change Management and other policy requirements
• Measures Agile Release Train delivery, maturity, and performance and reviews the metrics with the Agile Release Train to identify improvement opportunities
• Collaborates with the product management team and ensures the program has a healthy product and program backlog
• Defines norms and agreements for the Agile Release Train and enforces the agreements
• As the Release Train Engineer (RTE) for Technology Infrastructure, you are accountable for how an ~18-team train prepares for and executes the Planning Interval (PI). You facilitate PI Planning and train-level routines, enable transparency and metrics-driven execution, optimize end-to-end flow of value, and drive continuous improvement through disciplined follow-through.
• This role is PI-cadence critical: preparation for the next PI begins as soon as PI Planning for the current PI completes and continues in parallel with current PI execution.

• 7+ years of experience as a Release Train Engineer
• Primary focus: predictable, sustainable delivery of Technology Products via strong PI readiness, dependency/risk management, and high-signal reporting
• Continuous, sustainable delivery of business value to users through stable cadence and predictable execution
• PI Planning produces clear PI Objectives, visible dependencies, and ROAM’d risks with ownership that persists through the PI
• PI execution maintains transparency using train-level metrics (objectives completion, business value delivered, cycle time, quality signals, risk/dependency posture)
• Publish and maintain the annual PI + iteration calendar; schedule PI cadence logistics well in advance (≥ 1 month)
• Ensure Program Kanban exists and is ready to support planning and visibility
• Ensure Deliverables/Epics exist in Jira/Jira Align; ensure upcoming epics meet Definition of Ready (DoR) and Business Value is assigned where required
• Ensure DoR and Definition of Done (DoD) exist for Epics; prevent unprioritized/not-ready epics from entering the PI
• Coordinate readiness across PM, POs, SMs, Architects, Tech Management, Release Mgmt; confirm Business Owner/executive participation
• Facilitate PI Planning end-to-end:
  Business Context → Vision/Roadmap → Architecture Vision/Practices → Planning Context → Team Breakouts → Draft/Final Plan Review → ROAM Risks → Confidence Vote → Planning Retro
• Drive presenter readiness, time boxing, parking lot capture, and decision visibility; keep the event collaborative and energized
• For distributed PI planning: design agenda to support time zones, define breakout SPOCs, enforce working agreements, and ensure all outcomes are digitally captured and visible
• Facilitate train-level routines as…