Release Train Engineer

Release Train Engineer 
Chennai, India
 

The Opportunity:
Recently combined with Anthology, Blackboard offers the largest EdTech ecosystem on a global scale, supporting over 150 million users in 80 countries. The company’s mission is to provide dynamic, data-informed experiences to the global education community so that learners and educators can achieve their goals.  

We believe in the power of a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. As we expand globally, we are committed to making diversity, inclusion, and belonging a foundational part of not only our hiring practices but who we are as a company. 

For more information about our company and career opportunities, please visit www.blackboard.com.
 
As a Release Train Engineer (RTE) for our product organization, you will have the opportunity to act as a servant leader and coach for an Agile Release Train (ART), and support the organization along its SAFe transformation journey.

The RTE will serve as a key member of our product team by facilitating ART events, processes and assisting the teams in delivering value. The RTE communicates with stakeholders, escalates impediments, helps to manage risk, and drives relentless improvement.

This position is for someone who understands how to scale lean agile practices and who thrives when operating as a servant leader. You will add additional value to the role by having experience working with teams that are at various stages in their SAFe transformation and the ability to lead through change.

This position works under the guidance of the VP of Software Engineering. 

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Facilitating PI Planning readiness by fostering a Continuous Exploration process which drives the synthesis of a Vision, a Roadmap, and Backlogs, and through Pre- and Post-PI Planning meetings 
• Facilitating the PI planning event
• Facilitating periodic ART synchronization meetings
• Establishing and communicating the annual calendars for Iterations and Program Increments (PIs)
• Managing and optimizing the flow of value through the ART using the Program Kanban and other information radiators
• Assisting teams in delivering value by tracking execution of features and capabilities
• Driving relentless improvement in the form of Inspect and Adapts and retrospectives
• Providing support needed by teams and ARTs to be self-organizing and self-managing
• Coaching leaders, teams, and Scrum Masters in Lean-Agile practices and mindsets using powerful questions rather than authority
• Encouraging collaboration between teams by creating an environment of mutual influence
• Escalating and tracking impediments and managing risks and dependencies
• Applying systems thinking to problem identification and decision-making
• Working with the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) on program execution and operational excellence
• Sharing continuous improvement items throughout the organization through regular communication with other RTEs and the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE)
• Fostering Communities of Practice and the use of engineering and Built-in Quality practices

The Candidate:

Required skills/qualifications:

• At least 5 years’ experience working as an RTE or a Scrum Master
• Solid understanding of SAFe and a Lean Agile Mindset
• Experience working with an organization undergoing a SAFe Transformation
• Ability to identify and solve problems with minimal guidance and limited resources
• Capable of collaborating with cross-functional, globally distributed teams and stakeholders to establish and secure a reliable and productive working relationship
• Comfortable presenting to stakeholders at all levels of the organization including technical experts, business owners and executive level staff
• Adaptable to an evolving and changing environment, and comfortable managing through change and ambiguity
• Desire to build relationships and influence others through integrity and trust

Preferred skills/qualifications:

• SAFe certification

The Office:

We have an office in one of the biggest cultural, economic, and educational centers in South India: Chennai. 

• Located on OMR, the IT corridor of South Chennai 
• Easy access to Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur Railway station and bus stop 
• Very close to Tidel Park, Ascendas, and SRP Tools – Holiday Inn  
• Office provides lunch Tuesday – Thursday and evening snacks Monday – Friday  
• Office is situated behind Hotel Turyaa on the 5th floor of Rayala Techno Park 
• Fun Committee, Happy Fete Team, Food Committee, and Sports Committee ensures fun at work 
• ISR Team actively engages employees in contributing to various local charities  
• Option for remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.
 
Blackboard is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, protected military/veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.