Job Title: Release Train Engineer (RTE).
Location: Washington, DC (On-site).
Employment Type: W2 Contract.
Duration: 11 months.
About the Opportunity:
ZipStaff is hiring an experienced, servant-leader Release Train Engineer (RTE) for our client, a national passenger transportation organization, to guide and optimize an Agile Release Train (ART). In this high-visibility role, you will act as chief scrum master and strategic facilitator for the train, bridging enterprise strategy, cascaded OKRs and technical execution. You will drive end-to-end Program Increment (PI) planning and execution, remove systemic delivery bottlenecks through Value Stream Mapping, and mentor Scrum Masters, Product Managers and System Architects to mature Lean-Agile and DevOps capabilities.
What You'll Do:
- Lead preparation, backlog readiness, WSJF scoring and facilitation of the 2-day in-person PI Planning event, aligning outcomes with enterprise strategy and OKRs.
- Track and report ART predictability, velocity, cycle time and flow metrics; facilitate ART synchronization events (Coach Sync, ART Sync, Architect Sync, PO Sync, System Demos, Inspect & Adapt).
- Partner with Business Owners to evaluate business value, manage inter-ART dependencies and coordinate delivery roadmaps with other trains.
- Establish pull systems, eliminate handoffs and cross-team bottlenecks, and facilitate Value Stream Mapping sessions.
- Coach Scrum Masters, Product Managers and Architects; champion built-in quality, DevOps practices and Communities of Practice.
- Partner with the VMO and LACE to run AgilityInsights TeamHealth Assessments and drive continuous improvement.
- Serve as the face and voice of the ART, fostering psychological safety, transparency and collaboration.
Required Qualifications:
- Certified SAFe® 6.0 Release Train Engineer (RTE).
- Certified SAFe® 6.0 Practice Consultant (SPC).
- Certified AgilityInsights Facilitator.
- 5+ years facilitating Agile Release Trains and coaching multi-team delivery environments using SAFe.
- Proven track record tracking and optimizing Flow Metrics (Flow Velocity, Flow Time, Flow Efficiency, Flow Load, Predictability).
- Demonstrated ability to coach technical teams and executive Business Owners in Lean-Agile values, OKR alignment and built-in quality.
- Exceptional facilitation and public speaking skills, comfortable leading rooms of 100+ participants during multi-day planning events.
- Ability to work on-site in Washington, DC, including mandatory in-person PI Planning sessions, workshops and ART ceremonies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with Lean Portfolio Management and Value Management Office practices.
- Experience in large enterprise or transportation-sector Agile transformations.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance.
- Dental Insurance.
- Vision Insurance.
- 401(k) + 401(k) matching.
- Paid time off.
- Referral Program.
About ZipStaff:
ZipStaff connects skilled technology professionals with leading organizations across the United States, matching top talent with impactful contract and full-time opportunities.
To apply, submit your resume through this posting. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a ZipStaff recruiter.