New

Release Train Engineer

Harman
life insurance, sick time, long term disability
United States, Michigan, Novi
Feb 11, 2026
Description & Requirements 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. What you will do: 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. Authorities Define Sprint and Release cadence and synchronization Accountabilities 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. Success Measures (KPIs) ART predictability, with PI objectives consistently met. Dependency resolution I&A improvement actions Flow metrics 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. What You Need 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. Key Skills 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. Success Indicators 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. What is Nice to Have 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 What Makes You Eligible Be willing to travel to one or more PI Planning events, 1 week per quarter, domestic and international travel. What We Offer 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 cafe, 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 #LI-DPWHITE1 #LI-Hybrid Pay Transparency $ 108,750 - $ 159,500 Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission. Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled. Benefits HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more. You Belong Here HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you - all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want. About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected. Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other. If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today! Important Notice: Recruitment Scams Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or 'harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: harmancareers@harman.com. HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(www.harman.com) Apply