Release Train Engineer (RTE)

Work Arrangement: Onsite
Location: Buffalo, NY
Duration: 12-month contract (40 hrs/week; 1,992 total hours)
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens or Green Card holders only
Engagement Type: W-2 only

Overview

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) serves as a senior Agile leader responsible for guiding and coaching a program-level Agile Release Train (ART) consisting of multiple cross-functional teams. This role ensures teams are aligned, delivering business value predictably, and operating in accordance with Agile principles and enterprise objectives.

The RTE drives transparency, delivery discipline, and continuous improvement while working closely with Product, Technology, and executive stakeholders to keep large-scale initiatives on track.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Agile Leadership

• Lead and facilitate all program-level ceremonies including PI Planning, Scrum of Scrums, ART Syncs, and retrospectives.
• Coach and mentor Scrum Masters (direct manager for 4–10 Scrum Masters within the ART).
• Ensure consistent application of Agile values, principles, and best practices across the ART.

Delivery & Execution

• Enable predictable delivery by driving program-level planning, forecasting, and release coordination.
• Partner with Senior Product Owners to manage feature intake, prioritize the program backlog, and distribute work across teams.
• Track and communicate program progress using dashboards, metrics, and reporting tools.

Stakeholder Alignment & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary point of coordination between business, technology, and leadership.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and impediments; actively remove blockers to keep delivery on track.
• Influence senior leaders and guide teams toward improved execution and outcomes.

Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with peer RTEs to refine processes and optimize delivery based on performance metrics.
• Contribute to and grow Agile Communities of Practice to advance enterprise agility.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale Agile programs and multiple Scrum teams.
• Proven success driving delivery predictability, execution, and stakeholder alignment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influence skills.
• Metrics-driven approach to performance management and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Release Train Engineer, Senior Scrum Master, or Agile Program Lead.
• Experience working in highly regulated or enterprise environments.
• Strong understanding of Agile frameworks (SAFe preferred).