SAFe Practice Consultant in Stafford, Virginia at Spry Methods

A SAFe Practice Consultants (SPC) who can also be RTE. Definition: A certified expert and change agent responsible for implementing, driving, and sustaining Lean-Agile transformations within an enterprise using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

PAE MCEN is implementing lean portfolio management and they need significant assistance in doing so. They are looking for two resources who can teach and certify if needed, but what’s more is they need folks who can forcefully (but professionally) work with them to implement the framework as closely to doctrine as possible, understanding it’s not a one-for-one match. These two also need to have relevant operational experience.

As a SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) and Release Train Engineer (RTE), your day will be focused on driving real, measurable Lean-Agile change, not just advising from the sidelines. You will work hands-on with leadership, portfolio stakeholders, and Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to implement SAFe as close to doctrine as possible, while realistically adapting it to MCEN’s mission and operational environment.

Portfolio & Leadership Engagement:
Partner directly with MCEN senior leaders and portfolio stakeholders to advance Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) practices, including: Portfolio Kanban flow Strategic theme alignment Investment funding and participatory budgeting Provide direct, sometimes firm, guidance to leaders to help them shift from traditional governance to Lean-Agile decision-making. Identify misalignment between current practices and SAFe doctrine and constructively challenge the status quo to drive change.

ART & Delivery Execution (RTE Role):
Act as the Release Train Engineer for one or more Agile Release Trains: Facilitate ART ceremonies (PI Planning, System Demos, Inspect & Adapt) Manage dependencies, risks, and impediments across teams Ensure predictability, flow, and value delivery. Actively coach Product Management, System Architects, Scrum Masters, and Product Owners on roles, responsibilities, and SAFe best practices. Use metrics (flow, predictability, outcomes) to drive fact-based conversations and corrections.

Coaching, Enablement & Transformation Work:
Deliver hands-on coaching and workshops to reinforce Lean-Agile principles at the team, ART, and portfolio levels. Teach and, when required, certify SAFe roles (execs, LPM, RTEs, Scrum Masters, Product Owners). Apply your operational experience to translate SAFe theory into practical execution that works in a mission-driven environment. Work shoulder-to-shoulder with MCEN staff to build internal capability, not dependency on consultants. Ongoing Responsibilities Throughout the Day Serve as a change agent, balancing diplomacy with the authority to push for adherence to the framework. Identify organizational friction points and intervene early and decisively. Ensure SAFe is being implemented with intentionality, consistency, and sustainability not watered down or cherry-picked. Collaborate closely with a second SPC/RTE to maintain alignment and momentum across portfolios and ARTs.