Scrum Master/Agile Lead

Company Overview

At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation. www.validatek.com

Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Scrum Master/Agile Lead to support a United States Coast Guard (USCG) program. This role involves facilitating cross-agency collaboration between USCG, DHS, and DoD offices, while overseeing software engineering, application operations, and maintenance activities. The Scrum Master/Agile Lead will also work closely with other contractors and federal personnel across agencies to ensure seamless coordination and mission success.

Operating on-site as the primary point of contact (POC) for the government, the Scrum Master/Agile Lead will be responsible for all program-related issues and deliverables. The selected candidate will leverage their expertise in engineering principles and Agile methodologies to provide system architecture support, driving the design, development, and implementation of secure, scalable, and high-performance software solutions aligned with USCG mission objectives.

This leadership role requires close collaboration with development teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership to ensure technical excellence and adherence to Agile best practices. The Scrum Master/Agile Lead will act as a strategic technical leader, guiding architectural decisions, selecting appropriate technologies, and maintaining a clear focus on scalability and mission alignment to effectively address critical USCG challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead Agile ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives, and backlog refinement sessions.
• Assist teams in self-organization, cross-functionality, and enhancing Agile practices.
• Identify and resolve obstacles, ensuring smooth workflows and eliminating impediments independently with limited support.
• Collaborate with Product Owners to manage and sequence the product backlog, clarify priorities, and define delivery timelines.
• Monitor sprint progress, track key metrics, and ensure transparency in team performance.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through experimentation, feedback, and learning.
• Ensure all Agile activities are in alignment with USCG standards and industry best practices.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration within the team and with external stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and coaching on Agile best practices and Scrum principles.
• Act as a liaison between the development team and stakeholders to align expectations and manage dependencies.
• Serve as a servant leader for multiple teams and their stakeholders.
• Lead complex teams with external impacts or dependencies, including multiple system integration points.
• Build high-performing teams and foster relentless improvement at both the Team and Program levels.
• Identifying and removing blockers that hinder the team's progress.
• Improve team performance in areas of quality, predictability, flow, and velocity.
• Utilize tools to create metrics that measure and report on team performance, backlog health, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare for and participate in Program Increment Planning Sessions.
• Engage in Scrum Master Communities of Practice, Scrum Mastery Sync Sessions, and Agile Release Train Sync Sessions.

 

Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain DHS/EOD suitability. Active DHS/EOD suitability – preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or Agile Lead in software development environments.
• Active DoD Secret clearance
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – required.
• Strong understanding of Agile frameworks, including Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or LeSS.
• Hands-on experience working in government or defense Agile programs is highly preferred.
• Expertise in Agile project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, Rally, or Azure DevOps.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-based development.
• Experience coaching teams at varying levels of Agile maturity, from newly formed teams to advanced Agile organizations.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• U.S. Coast Guard or DoD experience is a plus.
• Certifications preferred: SAFe Agilist (SA), PMI-ACP, or Certified Scrum Professional (CSP).

Posted Min Pay Rate

USD $80,000.00/Yr.

Posted Max Pay Rate

USD $110,000.00/Yr.

Salary Disclosure

Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications. The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.

EEO Statement

ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States. Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.

Salary : $80,000 - $110,000