Release Train Engineer

Leidos National Security Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers’ mission to defend against evolving threats around the world. Our team’s focus is to ensure our customers have the right tools, technologies, and tactics to keep pace with an ever-evolving security landscape and succeed in their pursuit to protect people and critical assets.

The Intelligence Production Solutions Division (IPSD), part of the Decision Advantage Solutions Business Area, is currently seeking a highly experienced Release Train Engineer (RTE) to oversee Agile delivery and cross-team coordination for the Chinook Program. The RTE will play a critical role in leading Agile Release Train (ART), enabling delivery of mission-critical capabilities to our customers’ geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) initiatives.

As the RTE, you will be responsible for the execution and continuous improvement of the Agile framework within the program, driving alignment between multiple teams, stakeholders, and leaders across both Leidos and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). You’ll work with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent delivery of value, manage dependencies, and remove impediments while promoting a culture of high performance, accountability, and technical excellence.

Position may be performed in the following locations.  Please note Gaithersburg, MD is the program’s primary work location.

• Gaithersburg, MD

• Alexandria, VA

• Chantilly, VA 

• Tucson, AZ

• Aurora, CO

• St Louis, MO

Clearance Level Required:

Active Top Secret with the ability to obtain SCI, as well as a Polygraph.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a servant leader and coach for the ART, ensuring alignment with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles and Lean-Agile best practices.

• Facilitate and optimize Program Increment (PI) Planning Events, ART Syncs, Inspect & Adapt workshops, and other key SAFe ceremonies across geographically distributed teams.

• Function as a people manager, with responsibility for performance management, professional development, mentorship, and career path development.

• Conduct regular 1:1s, biannual performance check-ins, and professional development planning with direct reports, proactively address employee relations and morale.

• Partner with Product Owners, System Architects, Scrum Masters, and technical leads refining features, prioritizing stories, removing delivery roadblocks, and optimizing flow.

• Track ART metrics (velocity, predictability, flow) and deliver transparent reporting to Leidos leadership and NGA stakeholders.

• Champion Agile best practices and promote continuous improvement of culture across Chinook development teams by identifying process gaps, implementing Lean-Agile practices, and coaching teams on SAFe principles.

• Lead the risk management process by identifying, escalating, and mitigating program risks in collaboration with stakeholders.

• Act as a leader, facilitating team dynamics, helping resolve conflicts, and fostering an environment of trust, respect, and shared purpose.

• Deliver regular program updates and status reports to Leidos leadership and NGA, providing insight into ART progress, risks, and valued delivered.

• Collaborate with NGA stakeholders to align delivery goals with mission priorities and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Mentor Scrum Masters and Agile team members on Agile best practices, advanced facilitation, risk management, and DevSecOps best practices.

• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and innovation across geographically dispersed teams.

Basic Qualifications:

• US citizenship is required per contract.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field and 12-15 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience.

• Active Top Secret with the ability to obtain SCI, as well as a Polygraph.

• SAFe RTE, SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC), or similar relevant certification.

• 10+ years of experience in Agile program delivery, including 5+ years as a Release Train Engineer or equivalent role.

• Experience facilitating Agile/SAFe ceremonies across time zones with geographically distributed teams.

• Deep understanding of SAFe, Lean-Agile principles, and DevSecOps practices.

• Proficiency with Agile tools such as Confluence and Jira.

• Exceptional leadership, facilitation, and communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Experience integrating security and DevOps pipelines in high-assurance software delivery.

• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate risks and blockers that may impede program success.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in Continuous Integration (CI)/Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CD) integration, cloud migration, or enterprise transformation initiatives.

• Track record of mentoring Scrum Masters and Agile teams to higher levels of maturity.

#Chinook

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting:

October 1, 2025

Pay Range:

Pay Range $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.