Agile Scrum Master

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Aerospace is seeking an experienced Agile Scrum Master to support teams in its information technology (IT) group. As part of an ongoing Agile transformation, there are more than 15 agile teams in the group managing their work through either Scrum or Kanban. These groups perform different kinds of IT work, including infrastructure, operations, application administration, software development, and more. Scrum Masters act as team coaches and perform a variety of activities to support and improve team performance and effectiveness. They remove obstacles for the team, facilitate events, and promote and support the Scrum work management process as defined in the Scrum Guide. They act as subject-matter experts on Scrum and lead and coach teams in their adoption of the process.

Work Model

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Successfully guide team and organization on how to use Agile Practices.  
• Quantify the team's current state using standard or bespoke tools (surveys, gap analyses, dysfunction mapping, etc.), create and implement improvement plans.
• Encourage a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear of blame, retribution, or judgement, with an emphasis on problem-solving. 
• Get results without coercion, assigning, or dictating the work.
• Facilitate discussion, decision making, and conflict resolution.
• Support and educate the Product Owner, especially on refinement and maintenance of the product backlog, providing supplemental action as/when needed.
• Participate in work planning, commitment, measurement, and completion for assigned team(s), measurably improving performance and quality.
• Track and resolve impediments, working with the team, customers, and partners.
• Host Agile Events and achieve each one's objective.
• Design and lead learning events.
• Complete strategic actions for personal, professional, business, and team(s) improvement.
• Align actions with strategic goals of the team and enterprise.

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree awarded from an accredited university.
• Two years or more experience in the role of Scrum Master (or equivalent team coaching role) with one or more software development and/or business team(s) that applied Agile frameworks, principles, and values, or, at least three years in a program or project manager role for a similar organization.   
• Hold at least one certification in Agile, preferably Certified Scrum Master (CSM) from the Scrum Alliance, in active standing.
• Experience in leadership through influence (e.g., without formal authority).
• Experience in applying a wide variety of well-documented patterns and techniques for team improvement (i.e., Burndown, Burn-up, Backlog design, Retrospective games, Event structures, etc.).
• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the IT Project Management Staff III include:

• Four years or more experience in the role of Scrum Master (or equivalent team coaching role) with one or more software development and/or business team(s) that applied Agile frameworks, principles, and values, or, at least three years in a program or project manager role for a similar organization.   
• Hold at least one advanced certification in Agile, preferably Advanced Scrum Master (A-CSM) or Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP) from the Scrum Alliance, in active standing.
• Achieved significant, measurable results (outcomes) in leadership through influence (e.g., without formal authority).
• Knowledge of other Agile approaches: SAFe, LeSS, Kanban, Crystal, XP, etc.
• Experience or knowledge in the domains of work practiced by our Scrum Teams (e.g., information technology, software development).
• Skilled with computer-based Agile work-management tools, such as Atlassian Jira and Confluence, or equivalent. 

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Experience with computer-based Agile work-management tools, such as Atlassian Jira and Confluence, or equivalent. 
• Experience or knowledge in the domains of work practiced by our Scrum Teams (e.g., information technology, software development).
• Certifications and/or equivalent experience in project management.
• Knowledge of other Agile approaches: SAFe, LeSS, Kanban, Crystal, XP, etc.
• Excellent coaching/mentoring skills, grounded in best practices.
• Certifications and/or equivalent experience in project management.

• Experience being an individual contributor to a Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), Project Management Office (PMO), or similar organizational system.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$84,600.00 - $142,700.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.