Release Train Engineer

About the role

Pacific Life is seeking a talented Release Train Engineer to join our Consumer Markets Division (CMD) Portfolio and Program Management Office (PPMO) team in Newport Beach, CA. The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is a delivery orchestration leader responsible for coordinating execution across multiple teams, facilitating planning and alignment events, managing dependencies and risks, establishing a reliable delivery cadence, improving end-to-end delivery flow, enabling continuous improvement, and ensuring business, product, and technology teams remain synchronized in pursuit of shared outcomes.

Strategic Alignment & Roadmap Execution

• Collaborate with leadership to translate high-level objectives into actionable, prioritized roadmaps, setting clear outcomes and value delivery expectations.
• Continually align program activities with business needs, adapting plans as necessary to maximize impact and ensure strategic relevance.

Lean-Agile Execution & Program Flow Optimization

• Lead Lean-Agile planning and alignment events to coordinate execution across teams, maintain a predictable delivery cadence, and foster a high-performing, adaptable environment.
• Lead PI Planning preparation and execution, including alignment on objectives, program risks, dependencies, and milestones across participating teams.
• Actively remove delivery obstacles and drive continuous improvement initiatives, using flow signals to address bottlenecks, reduce delays, and maintain a consistent pace of value delivery.
• Establish and reinforce an integrated program cadence for planning, synchronization, reviews, demos, and retrospectives so teams operate with shared milestones, clear decision points, and consistent feedback loops.

Outcome-Focused Prioritization

• Orchestrate collaboration around the program backlog with a focus on value-driven prioritization, balancing immediate needs with long-term objectives to ensure sustained impact on business goals.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into actionable tasks, fostering alignment on business priorities and expected outcomes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Lean Coaching

• Partner with Technology and business units to strengthen alignment, tailoring Lean-Agile practices to meet the maturity and needs of each portfolio.
• Lead cross-team synchronization forums to align priorities, surface blockers, confirm ownership, and keep teams coordinated through delivery execution.
• Act as a mentor in Lean principles, fostering a culture of agility and responsiveness that enables teams to scale and adapt effectively.

Data-Driven Decision-Making & Value Measurement

• Utilize tools such as Azure DevOps, Power BI, and Planview to provide real-time insights into program performance, delivery flow, dependencies, and commitments, ensuring data transparency.
• Define and track KPIs focused on outcome-based value delivery and flow, including predictability, throughput, cycle time, work in progress, and impediment aging, to guide program adjustments and continuous improvement.

Risk Management & Dependency Resolution

• Identify and mitigate program-level risks across teams and portfolios, proactively managing cross-team dependencies, sequencing constraints, and integration points to sustain delivery momentum and quality.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex issues and unresolved dependencies, driving timely decisions, clear ownership, and solutions that support both near-term commitments and long-term strategic goals.
• Maintain transparent dependency and risk views with accountable owners, target dates, and mitigation plans; facilitate cross-team forums to surface conflicts early and confirm that critical handoffs and integration needs are reflected in delivery plans.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an agile practitioner, especially in Product Management, Release Train Engineering, Portfolio Management, or Program Management.
• Expertise in using Scrum, Kanban, and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
• Strong track record of implementing agile techniques in various work cultures and environments.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to facilitate learning and development through individual and team coaching.
• Experience in managing projects utilizing both waterfall and agile methodologies.

Qualifications

• A strong understanding of the technology development and delivery processes.
• Ability to identify and analyze organizational impacts for internal stakeholders affected by new initiatives.
• Knowledge of Annuity or Life Insurance business.
• Related industry and role experience.

Pay

$152,010.00 - $185,790.00

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation