Release Train Engineer

Liberty, a prominent financial services organisation, is seeking a seasoned Release Train Engineer (RTE) to join their dynamic team in Johannesburg. This pivotal role involves orchestrating the successful execution of a complex Agile Release Train (ART) within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The successful candidate will be instrumental in guiding multiple Agile teams through the critical Program Increment (PI) Planning event, ensuring seamless alignment with broader program and portfolio objectives, and ultimately facilitating the achievement of PI goals.

About the Role

The Release Train Engineer acts as a servant leader and coach for the ART, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and predictable value delivery. This position requires a deep understanding of SAFe principles and practices, coupled with a proven ability to influence and guide teams and leaders through agile transformations. You will be responsible for promoting Lean-Agile methodologies, driving efficiency, and ensuring that the ART consistently delivers high-quality solutions. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on how Liberty approaches software delivery and agile adoption.

Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of activities focused on the smooth operation and continuous improvement of the Agile Release Train. Key duties include:

• **Facilitating PI Planning:** Leading and guiding the ART through the comprehensive PI Planning event, ensuring clear definition of objectives and commitments.
• **ART Execution:** Supporting the ART in executing their planned work throughout the Program Increment, removing impediments and fostering collaboration.
• **Continuous Improvement:** Driving a culture of relentless improvement within the ART, identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance processes, productivity, and quality.
• **Value Delivery Visibility:** Providing clear and consistent visibility into the progress and health of feature delivery, as well as the overall success of the Program Increment.
• **Lean-Agile Transformation:** Championing and promoting the adoption of Lean-Agile principles and practices across the organisation, influencing and coaching individuals and teams.
• **Impediment Removal:** Proactively identifying and addressing impediments that hinder the ART's progress and value delivery.
• **Coaching and Mentoring:** Guiding and coaching teams and leadership on SAFe processes, agile ways of working, and Lean principles.
• **Cross-Team Collaboration:** Ensuring effective collaboration and communication not only within the ART but also with other relevant stakeholders and teams.

What They're Looking For

Liberty is looking for a candidate with a strong foundation in Agile methodologies and extensive experience in implementing SAFe. The ideal candidate will possess:

• A relevant first degree in Information Technology or a related field.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in delivery facilitation and driving agile transformations.
• Demonstrable experience with the SAFe 4 framework and the successful implementation of Agile Release Trains.
• Proven experience in Lean Agile Programme execution, ideally within small to medium solution environments.
• A solid understanding of agile working practices, with proficiency in Lean and Scrum principles.
• Excellent collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
• **Behavioural Competencies:** Practical and adaptable approach to problem-solving, strong information articulation skills, meticulous attention to detail, embrace of change, a proactive and exploratory mindset, openness to feedback, and decisive decision-making capabilities.
• **Technical Competencies:** Profound knowledge of Agile Concepts, Agile Estimation and Prioritisation, Agile Measurements, Agile Principles, Feasibility/Viability Assessment, and Stakeholder Management (IT).
• A certification such as Certified Scrum Manager is highly desirable.

In South Africa, a Release Train Engineer role is typically associated with significant responsibility and is often found within larger organisations, particularly in the financial services and technology sectors, where complex software development is prevalent. While salaries can vary based on experience, company size, and specific responsibilities, such roles often command competitive remuneration packages reflecting the specialised skill set required. This position offers a clear path for growth within agile coaching and program management frameworks.

Type of Qualification: First Degree
Field of Study: Information Technology
Licenses & Certifications: Certified Scrum Manager

Experience Required
Delivery Facilitation / Agile Transformation
Technology
5-7 years
Experience with SAFe 4 framework and implementation of Agile Release Trains and Lean Agile Progreamme execution in small to medium solution.

5-7 years
Good understanding of Agile working practices and LEAN and Scrum proficiency and working collaboravelty across teams

Behavioural Competencies:

• Adopting Practical Approaches
• Articulating Information
• Checking Things
• Embracing Change
• Exploring Possibilities
• Inviting Feedback
• Making Decisions

Technical Competencies:

• Agile Concepts
• Agile Estimation and Prioritisation
• Agile Measurements
• Agile Principles
• Feasibility/Viability Assessment
• Stakeholder Management (IT)