Agile Programming Methodologies, Atlassian JIRA, Autoscaling, Childcare, Coaching, Communication Skills, Computer Science, Computer Security, Conflict Resolution, Consulting, Continuous Deployment/Delivery, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Integration, Contract Creation, Data Analysis, Data Warehousing, DevOps, Employee Assistance Plan, Employee Benefits, Improvement Metrics, Information Technology & Information Systems, Kanban, Machine Tool, Marketing, Matrix Management, Metrics, Organizational Skills, Process Improvement, Product Management, Project/Program Management, Quality Metrics, Release Management/Engineering, Risk Management, Scrum Project Management and Software Development, ScrumMaster, Security Architecture, Security Infrastructure, Servant leadership, Service Level Agreement (SLA), Snowflake Schema, Stock Purchase Plans
Job Summary
The Release Train Engineer (RTE) serves as a leader for one or more Agile Release Trains (ARTs). The RTE is responsible for facilitating ART execution, enabling predictable delivery of business value, and driving continuous improvement at scale. This role partners closely with Product Management, Architecture, Engineering, and Business stakeholders to improve flow, remove impediments, and strengthen organizational agility using Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles.
Key Responsibilities
Agile Release Train Leadership
- Lead and coach the Agile Release Train to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and consistent delivery of value across multiple Agile teams/pods.
- Act as the primary facilitator and coordinator for ART-level events and execution.
- Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Program & PI Execution
- Initiate and follow up on processes across the Global Technology and Global Information Security domains on a regular basis and tracked to completion, to ensure that SLAs are met.
- Initiate and follow up on contract creation in the Global Technology group on a regular basis and tracked to completion, to ensure that SLAs are met.
- Contribute in the Planning, facilitation, and execute key ART ceremonies including:
o Program Increment (PI) Planning
o ART Sync / Scrum of Scrums
o System Demos
o Inspect & Adapt workshops
- Track ART progress against PI objectives and commitments; surface risks, dependencies, and impediments early.
- Optimize flow of value using program boards, metrics, and Kanban systems, where necessary.
Dependency & Risk Management
- Coordinate cross-team and cross-domain dependencies to ensure smooth delivery across the ART.
- Identify, escalate, and help resolve systemic impediments and delivery risks.
- Partner with Architecture, Security, and Platform teams to ensure delivery alignment with governance and quality standards.
Metrics & Continuous Improvement
- Use meaningful flow and delivery metrics to drive insights and improvements (e.g., predictability, throughput, dependency aging).
- Work with Scrum Masters to facilitate retrospectives at the program level and ensure action items translate into measurable improvements.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience.
- 7+ years of experience in Agile delivery, program management, release management, or software delivery.
- 2-3+ years of experience as a Release Train Engineer, Senior Scrum Master, Project Manager, or similar large-scale role.
- Strong working knowledge of SAFe, Agile principles, and Lean practices.
- Hands-on experience with Agile tooling (e.g., Jira, Confluence, program boards).
Preferred
- SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) or SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) certification.
- Experience operating in large enterprise or matrixed technology organizations.
- Experience working in an enterprise data warehouse environment (i.e. Snowflake, etc.).
- Understanding of data warehouse, analytics and ML terminology and technology.
- Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and modern engineering practices.
- Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Key Competencies
- Servant leadership and coaching mindset
- Program-level facilitation and conflict resolution
- Systems thinking and value stream orientation
- Strong organizational and execution discipline
- Comfortable operating across business and technology domains
At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.
All positions offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts. Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click here to learn more.
Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, paid parental leave and educational assistance.
Washington Applicants Only: Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.077 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive a minimum of 9 holidays annually.
Marriott HQ is committed to a hybrid work environment that enables associates to Be connected. Headquarters-based positions are considered hybrid, for candidates within a commuting distance to Bethesda, MD; candidates outside of commuting distance to Bethesda, MD will be considered for Remote positions.