Lead Release Train Engineer

Company: Cox Automotive
Location: Stone Mountain
Posted on: November 19, 2023

Job Description:

The Lead Release Train Engineer's (RTE) primary purpose is to support one or more Agile Release Trains (ART) by steering them to success while navigating the complexity of delivering software, infrastructure, and operational capabilities in scaled Agile delivery systems. The RTE's focus is to enable the delivery of value by leading and orchestrating system-level events, processes & practices, and continuous improvement. This RTE will be working in a technology operations environment that is actively transforming into new and novel Ways of Working suitable for an operations organization.

Release Train Feature Roadmap and Planning

• Facilitates the coordinated preparation of release planning for the release train. This includes:
  
  
  • Collaborating with Engineering, Operations, and Product leaders in prioritizing backlog for the next quarterly planning cycle.
  • Partnering with the Engineering, Operations, and Product leaders in the refinement of backlog to be considered in the next quarterly planning cycle to meet the Definition of Ready.
  • Facilitating ART (Agile Release Train) communication and orchestration with stakeholders during the definition, discovery, and delivery of priorities across the space.
  • Ensuring effective communication and collaboration for and during each quarterly planning cycle
  • When needed, embracing change to the ART's quarterly plan and the inspect & adapt impacts of those changes to the delivery goals for the ART
    
    Release Train Transparency
    
    
    • Leads ART in remaining transparent to itself, the teams on the train, and to the organization through:
      
      
      • Backlog Management and Rally integrity for visible and transparent reporting. May include the collection of metrics, visualizing the flow of work through the system, investment mix reporting, and other reporting as needed by the release train or organization.
      • Facilitation and continuous improvement of periodic ART Reviews with organizational leaders and stakeholders to provide clarity on the expected value delivery and to gain stakeholder feedback on changes in direction the release train may need to take.
      • Facilitation of both delivery and operational outcomes for the ART. Includes designing and facilitating events that make delivery outcomes and operational performance measures transparent for conversation, feedback, and improvement.
        
        Delivery Orchestration
        
        
        • Leads the ART in the orchestration of major feature releases and ongoing delivery of value to stakeholders where multiple teams, release trains, or solution groups are involved by hosting cross-system orchestration events as needed.
        • Coordinates the ART in the orchestration and delivery of large program level initiatives by partnering with Program and Project managers (PMs) to visualize delivery progress across the ART's teams. Partner with PMs to ensure that Program and Project plans are updated to reflect reality in alignment with team backlogs.
        • Takes ownership and accountability in partnership with ART Scrum Masters by resolving or reporting escalated issues involving risk, or dependency orchestration that may be blocking the ART's ability to deliver on its priorities. Scrum Masters and teams facilitate the resolution of impediments, dependencies, and risks within their span of influence.
          
          Continuous Improvement
          
          
          • Promotes continuous improvement through the facilitation of ART Retrospectives quarterly, or more often as needed, to improve backlog management, release train reviews, sprint reviews, or other release train cadences.
          • Serves as an active member in the RTE Community of Practice by helping peers learn new techniques, and improve technical and quality practices. Work with RTE community to determine ways to help ARTs across the organization improve cross train and solution group orchestration and collaboration.
            
            People Leadership
            
            
            • The RTE will have a number of direct supports by providing coaching, individual performance management, and career growth and development support and guidance for team members.
              
              Other Operational Functions
              
              
              • The RTE may be called upon to lead efforts that impact the ART but may not require priorities being added to team backlogs.
              • Partner in the planning and achievement of the delivery system's mission and strategic priorities.
              • Facilitate events that go beyond delivery and into the operational excellence side of the organization. This includes guiding engineering leaders to define, baseline, measure, and provide a narrative storyline behind the operational metrics and opportunities for improvement.
                
                Qualifications
                
                
                • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field and 6+ years of Scrum/Agile experience.
                • Minimum of 4 years of Scaled Agile Practitioner experience in transformational environments.
                • Must understand the difference between "being Agile" and "doing Agile".
                • Understands and practically applies Lean thinking in a context specific manner.
                • Servant leader and nuanced communicator with strong relationship management skills who can:
                  
                  
                  • Listen and support teams and leaders in problem-identification and decision making
                  • Encourage an environment that values mutual respect, openness, and courage
                  • Persuade by influence rather than authority
                  • Understand and empathize with others
                  • Shows patience and adaptability in an unpredictable technology operations environment
                    
                    About Cox Automotive
                    
                    At Cox Automotive, people of every background are driven by their passion for mobility, innovation and community. We transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, accelerating the industry with global powerhouse brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim and more. What's more, we do it all with an emphasis on employee growth and happiness. Drive your future forward and join Cox Automotive today!
                    
                    About Cox
                    
                    Cox empowers employees to build a better future and has been doing so for over 120 years. With exciting investments and innovations across transportation, communications, cleantech and healthcare, our family of businesses - which includes Cox Automotive and Cox Communications - is forging a better future for us all. Ready to make your mark? Join us today!
                    
                    Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page .
                    
                    Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual's age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.
                    
                    Statement to ALL Third-Party Agencies and Similar Organizations: Cox accepts resumes only from agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, Cox employees, Cox hiring manager, or send to any Cox facility. Cox is not responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited resumes.

Keywords: Cox Automotive, Atlanta , Lead Release Train Engineer, Engineering , Stone Mountain, Georgia