Scrum Master III

IDEMIA National Security Solutions is the premier provider of integrated identity solutions for United States Government. Our deep understanding of biometric, biographic, credential, and digital forms of identity allows us to guide our clients to achieve their business goals. NSS’ leading software systems; data and analytics offerings; and professional services facilitate and automate many of the business processes for government agencies serving law enforcement, military, and intelligence missions.

Summary

The Scrum Master III leads Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) scrum teams focused on product development and delivery across customer programs and internal initiatives. The role combines Agile delivery leadership with direct management of engineering staff, including setting expectations, coaching employees, and supporting professional development. This role guides teams in refining Features into well-defined User Stories, estimating and planning iteration work, and delivering high-quality software on schedule. The Scrum Master III facilitates Agile ceremonies, resolves impediments and escalates risks to Agile Release Train (ART) leadership, coordinates across teams in the value stream, and coaches teams on SAFe practices to promote transparency, continuous improvement, and reliable delivery. The Scrum Master III operates with a high degree of autonomy, mentors other Scrum Masters, and partners with ART leadership to improve flow and delivery predictability. The ideal candidate has experience with the full software development lifecycle, strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and seven or more years of experience as a Scrum Master, including leading multiple Scrum or Kanban teams.

Primary ResponsibilitiesAgile Team Leadership (SAFe / Scrum)

• Lead team ceremonies, including:

• Iteration planning, reviews, retrospectives, and team demonstrations.
• PI planning.
• Daily Team Sync and post-meeting discussions.

• Guide the scrum team in breaking down Features into User Stories, sizing the stories, and building a plan to execute the work.
• Facilitate team backlog reviews and guide teams in prioritizing the backlog and balancing feature work, technical debt, and enabler work.
• Manage the team's technical debt and the introduction of architectural runway items into the team backlog.
• Drive teams to execute on commitments and meet iteration goals and value stream objectives, ensuring clear ownership, timely follow-through, and resolution of issues and impediments.

ART and Value Stream Coordination

• Actively resolve scrum team impediments and escalate to Agile Release Train leadership as needed.
• Lead coordination meetings across teams within a value stream.
• Actively coordinate discussions across teams and people on the Agile Release Train.
• Identify and manage cross-team dependencies and risks in partnership with the Release Train Engineer (RTE), value stream leadership, and architects.
• Prepare and support team presentations at Agile Release Train (ART) ceremonies.
• Facilitate Inspect & Adapt and problem-solving workshops, and drive improvement items to completion.

Tools, Standards, and Continuous Improvement

• Manage work in administrative systems, including Jira and GIT.
• Lead the definition and continuous improvement of scrum team and ART standards and practices.
• Research current and emerging technologies independently and apply relevant best practices to improve team delivery and engineering practices.

Coaching, Training, and People Leadership

• Mentor and coach Scrum Masters across the ART, serving as a subject matter expert for SAFe practices.
• Plan content and lead discussions in the NSS Scrum Master Community of Practice (CoP).
• Plan and deliver Scaled Agile/Agile training for their scrum team and other scrum teams.
• Actively share knowledge with the team and peers.
• Lead one or more delivery teams, each consisting of five or more individuals.
• Provide direct management of engineering staff, including setting expectations, coaching employees, and supporting their professional development.

Qualifications / Technical Expertise

• Seven+ years of software engineering experience.
• Five+ years of Scrum Master experience.
• Experience with multiple programming languages (Java, C++, Python).
• Experience with Jira, Git/GitLab, and/or other equivalent products.
• Experience with cloud development in AWS or Azure.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, preferably with GitLab.
• Experience with DevSecOps.
• Practical knowledge of and experience employing sound engineering principles and problem-solving methods.
• Good working knowledge of best practices for coding, including clear comments, source control, and code reviews.
• Scrum Master certification preferred.

Core Competencies

• Agile / SAFe facilitation (iteration and PI planning, ceremonies, and execution)
• User story refinement, estimation, and backlog management
• Cross team and ART coordination within the value stream
• Impediment resolution and proactive risk escalation
• Agile coaching, training, and knowledge sharing
• Software engineering fundamentals (design, implementation, testing, deployment)
• Troubleshooting, analytical problem solving, and engineering best practices
• Clear communication and people leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Management Information Systems, Biometric Engineering, or related equivalent. Years of service may be substituted for Education.

Working Conditions and Other Requirements:

Travel to Morgantown is required for Planning Interval (PI) planning every 10 weeks.
Additional travel may be required.
Normal office working conditions and physical demands
Ability to successfully achieve and retain DoD TS clearance

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

***Must be a US Citizen, without Dual Citizenship*IDEMIA National Security Solutions (NSS)** is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

It is the policy of NSS to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, participation in discrimination complaint-related activities, sexual orientation, genetics, or active military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, by either employees or non-employees. This non-discrimination policy applies to all employment procedures, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, termination, reduction in force, and all company-sponsored activities.

As a government contractor, NSS abides by the following provision:

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of the other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractors legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).