Solution Train Engineer

Would you like to perform rewarding work while contributing to the success of an established, growing company? Navstar is an award-winning organization that has a proven track record of successfully providing IT services and solutions both as a prime and sub-contractor on mission-focused IT programs. Our employees are integral players in support of mission-critical programs focused on our National Security.
Role Description:

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 on-going mission and operational system.
• 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.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• To be eligible for this position you must hold an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• 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 is critical.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 20 years of relevant experience. Degree in a technical field is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience as a Solution Train Engineer on a technical program.
• Significant technology experience in software development, test, or systems engineering such that a candidate could qualify on 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.

Pay Rate:

In compliance with Maryland's Equal Pay for Equal Work law, the annual base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $200,000. This range represents the base pay for this role and is provided in accordance with Maryland's requirements to disclose compensation in job postings. Please note that actual compensation may vary based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market conditions. In addition to base salary, candidates hired into this position may be eligible for a hiring bonus of $10,000.00, subject to applicable contingencies and Navstar policy.
About Navstar

For 20 years Navstar has provided high-quality Innovative Technology Services and Solutions throughout the Intelligence Community. We would not have achieved the success we have without the best AllStar team; this is not just a place to work, Navstar is a community. At Navstar everything we do revolves around listening to both our customers and employees, delivering the results they expect, and being a trusted partner as both a prime and subcontractor. We have a proven track record of successfully providing innovative technology services and solutions on highly mission-focused programs; all while enjoying what we do at the same time. Security is our priority; together, we will make the nation a safer place.
Benefits at Navstar

• Highly Competitive Health Care Premiums, including 100% employer paid for employee
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Generous PTO and Federal Holiday Paid Leave
• Employer Paid STD/LTD
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 401K plan and Employer Match
• Referral and Opportunity Referral Programs
• Professional Development Assistance

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

Navstar, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious beliefs, national origin, disability, U.S. veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics under federal, state or local law.