Release Train Engineer

HARMAN International • Novi, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

A Career at HARMAN As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day. About the Role The Brand Experience team develops innovative consumer experiences that enhance lives through products, services, and technologies. This role collaborates with the Brand Technical Lead and Product Manager to translate feature requirements and roadmaps into both code-based and non-code-based technical solutions. The Release Train Engineer (RTE) is the servant leader and chief facilitator of an Agile Release Train (ART) within the Car Audio organization. This role ensures alignment, synchronization, and flow across multiple cross-functional teams delivering premium brand experiences to OEM customers. The RTE is responsible for enabling consistent, high-quality, and predictable delivery of features across software, hardware, and acoustics teams while embedding compliance, innovation, and Lean-Agile principles into execution. Your Team This role reports to the Cross-Brand Team Leader and has no direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in complex product development (automotive or consumer electronics preferred).
• 3+ years in Agile leadership roles (Scrum Master, RTE, or Program Manager).
• SAFe certification required (SAFe RTE, SPC, or SAFe Agilist preferred).
• Proven experience with multi-domain development (hardware, software, acoustics, and compliance).
• Familiarity with IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management (DOORS, EWM, ETM) or equivalent tools.
• Strong understanding of ASPICE, ISO 26262, and automotive OEM milestone processes.
• Expert in facilitation, alignment, and stakeholder management across distributed teams.
• Ability to visualize and manage dependencies in complex environments.
• Excellent understanding of Lean flow metrics and performance tracking.
• Skilled at driving continuous improvement and cultural transformation.
• Strong communication and executive reporting skills.
• ART predictability ≥ 80% and PI objectives consistently met.
• Improved cross-brand alignment and fewer integration delays.
• Compliance activities integrated into ART cadence without delaying delivery.
• Positive feedback from Product Management, Brand Owners, and OEM stakeholders.
• Be willing to travel to one or more PI Planning events, 1 week per quarter, domestic and international travel.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Management or Engineering Management
• Strong recommendations from automotive industry colleagues
• Automotive Business & Engineering Landscape Knowledge
• Interest in acoustics and sound reproduction
• Flexible in a challenging work environment
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent presentation/communication skills

Responsibilities

• ART Facilitation & Execution Serve as the chief Scrum Master for the ART, ensuring consistent cadence, alignment, and flow of 5 to 15 teams (50 to 125 people)
• Facilitate key ART ceremonies: PI Planning, ART Syncs (Scrum of Scrums & PO Sync), System Demos, Inspect & Adapt workshops.
• Work closely with Product Management, System Architects, and Brand Owners to define and track PI Objectives.
• Drive dependency management and risk visibility across brand and platform teams.
• Partner with the System Team to maintain integration readiness, continuous testing, and system demo preparation.
• Lean-Agile Leadership Coach teams and stakeholders in Lean-Agile practices and SAFe principles.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, flow optimization, and transparency.
• Identify bottlenecks in delivery flow and lead resolution through collaboration, not command.
• Guide ART metrics: predictability, velocity, flow efficiency, PI objective achievement, and defect trends.
• Cross-Brand and Cross-Functional Collaboration Coordinate across multiple ARTs (e.g., JBL, B&W, h/k) to align shared teams and dependencies.
• Collaborate with Cross-Brand Team Leaders and the System Architect to synchronize technical and validation deliverables.
• Ensure shared assets such as DSP frameworks, HIL/VIL platforms, and compliance pipelines are integrated across brand initiatives.
• Integrate ASPICE, ISO 26262, and cybersecurity compliance activities into ART backlogs via enabler stories.
• Support PI and Program-level reporting for OEM milestones and management reviews.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary communication hub between ART teams and stakeholders.
• Provide transparency through clear, data-driven reporting and visual management (Program Boards, PI Metrics).
• Align ART priorities with business goals set by Brand Owners and Portfolio Management.
• Define Sprint and Release cadence and synchronization
• PI Planning event orchestration
• Concept freeze and approval (technical sections).
• Cross-brand alignment and minimal integration delays.
• Compliance activities integrated into ART cadence without delaying delivery.
• Positive feedback from Product Management, Brand Owners, and OEM stakeholders.

Benefits

• Access to employee discounts on world class HARMAN/Samsung products (BRAND, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.)
• Inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global environment
• On-site opportunities to focus on personal well-being and development such as, onsite café, fitness center, weekly massage, fitness classes, and other onsite events promoted by our employee resource groups
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• Scholarship programs for employee family members

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level