Soren Sele
Colorado Springs
Summary
Professional Agile facilitator committed to driving team success and delivering high-value projects. Proven track record in guiding teams through Agile transformations and optimizing workflows to enhance productivity. Known for strong focus on collaboration and adaptability to evolving project needs, ensuring consistent achievement of goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Scrum Master
Northrop Grumman
09.2022 - Current
- Served as a servant leader and Agile Coach for up to seven cross-functional teams, fostering self-organization and continuous improvement.
- Implemented Agile/Scrum methodologies and SAFe principles, increasing project delivery speed, and improving stakeholder engagement.
- Expertly facilitated all Agile ceremonies (planning, reviews, retrospectives, daily stand-ups) to enhance team collaboration and alignment.
- Proactively identified and removed impediments, ensuring teams remained focused on high-priority, high-value tasks.
- Optimized workflows and resource allocation by identifying bottlenecks, resulting in reduced time-to-market, and shorter cycle times.
- Managed product backlogs in collaboration with Product Owners, prioritizing items aligned with key business objectives.
- Coached and mentored team members and stakeholders on Agile best practices, resolving conflicts, and promoting a healthy work environment.
- Collected and analyzed key performance metrics using tools like Jira and ADO to track progress and implement data-driven improvements.
- Interfaced regularly with customers and stakeholders, boosting satisfaction through transparent reporting and consistent communication.
- Developed training materials and conducted workshops to elevate team understanding of Agile principles, and reduce technical debt.
- Facilitated daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions to enhance team collaboration and efficiency.
- Implemented Agile methodologies, improving project delivery timelines and stakeholder engagement.
Release Train Engineer
Northrop Grumman
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Act as a servant leader for multiple cross-functional teams and stakeholders within an Agile Release Train (ART), providing the necessary alignment and direction.
- Coach Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and all ART personnel on Agile/SAFe principles, encouraging the adoption of best practices and policies.
- Organize and expertly guide all Agile/SAFe ceremonies (planning, reviews, demos), ensuring quick inspection, and proper use of the framework.
- Interface regularly with customers and stakeholders to maintain strong relationships, manage expectations, and facilitate effective communication between management and engineering.
- Proactively identify, escalate, and remove impediments at the ART level to ensure seamless project execution.
- Collect and analyze key metrics to drive continuous improvement in team performance, backlog health, and deployments.
- Manage and improve Agile processes and tools, specifically updating and maintaining JIRA functionality for enhanced tracking and transparency.
- Designed and implemented engineering solutions for complex system requirements.
- Led cross-functional teams in project development and execution phases.
Scrum Master
Northrop Grumman
04.2020 - 09.2021
- Served as a servant leader and Agile Coach for up to seven cross-functional teams, fostering self-organization and continuous improvement.
- Implemented Agile/Scrum methodologies and SAFe principles, increasing project delivery speed, and improving stakeholder engagement.
- Expertly facilitated all Agile ceremonies (planning, reviews, retrospectives, daily stand-ups) to enhance team collaboration and alignment.
- Proactively identified and removed impediments, ensuring teams remained focused on high-priority, high-value tasks.
- Optimized workflows and resource allocation by identifying bottlenecks, resulting in reduced time-to-market, and shorter cycle times.
- Managed product backlogs in collaboration with Product Owners, prioritizing items aligned with key business objectives.
- Coached and mentored team members and stakeholders on Agile best practices, resolving conflicts, and promoting a healthy work environment.
- Collected and analyzed key performance metrics using tools like Jira and ADO to track progress and implement data-driven improvements.
- Interfaced regularly with customers and stakeholders, boosting satisfaction through transparent reporting and consistent communication.
- Developed training materials and conducted workshops to elevate team understanding of Agile principles, and reduce technical debt.
- Facilitated daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions to enhance team collaboration and efficiency.
- Implemented Agile methodologies, improving project delivery timelines and stakeholder engagement.
Software Engineer
Polaris Alpha, A Parsons Company
06.2019 - 04.2020
- Utilize Git for access to group code use.
- Using Bitbucket to manage code, bug fixes, and provide code review.
- Used Docker containers to provide quicker updates.
- Building Kafka knowledge with initial setup and use.
- Deployed builds with Jenkins and Rancher.
- Utilized Spring, Bootstrap, and the Angular framework.
- Worked closely with testers to help create Test-Driven UI.
- Act as a liaison between the test team and the developers.
- Developed the backend with JavaScript and Angular.
- Developed automated tests in Protractor with Angular 2 and JavaScript.
- Direct interaction with customers to ensure the highest satisfaction.
- Completed SAFe training.
- Participated in PI Planning every 12 weeks.
- Fully agile work environment.
- Manually tests to ensure the highest quality product is delivered.
- Performed mobile testing for both iOS and Android.
- Developed and optimized software applications using Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
- Led cross-functional teams in identifying and implementing process improvements for software development cycles.
Software Engineer
Scientific Research Corporation
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Creating requirements.
- Prepared documentation for the proposal.
- Utilize Git for access to group code use.
- Using Bitbucket to manage code, fix bugs, and provide code review.
- Mentored junior engineers, enhancing team performance through knowledge sharing and technical guidance.
- Designed architecture solutions to ensure system scalability, reliability, and maintainability across projects.
Software Test Engineer
CGI Federal
11.2016 - 07.2018
- Extrapolating test cases from requirements.
- Prepared application for monthly releases.
- Write and execute test cases for new functionality.
- Answered questions posed by the client.
- Review and update the previous test cases.
- Prepare documentation for releases.
- Optimize SoapUI tests to cover more verification and validation.
- Streamline the use of SoapUI tests for local and on-site use.
- Create component diagram documentation.
- Work closely with developers to ensure tests cover the full functionality of the software.
- Provide log scripting to the developers as needed.
- Provide customer support as needed.
- Provide developer support for bug fixes.
- Tweak property files to ensure tests are covering as many scenarios as possible.
- Create Groovy scripts to help validate and test the application.
- Create testing documentation to help new personnel onboard.
- Write and include Groovy scripts for SoapUI tests for in-depth testing.
- Worked hand in hand with SPAWAR to provide ASW to the JMS project.
- Developed and executed comprehensive test plans to ensure software quality and reliability.
- Identified, documented, and tracked defects using industry-standard tools for efficient resolution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product functionality and user experience.
Software Test Engineer
Computer Technology Associates
02.2016 - 10.2016
- Extrapolating test cases from requirements.
- Prepared application for monthly releases.
- Write and execute hundreds of test cases for new functionality.
- Answered questions posed by the client.
- Beginning the integration process of automated performance testing with C#.
- Provided a change management system with few to no bugs for the Navy.
- Implemented automated testing procedures to improve testing efficiency and reduce manual effort.
- Mentored junior testers on best practices for software testing methodologies and tools.
- Analyzed test results and provided actionable insights for continuous improvement of software products.
- Facilitated regular meetings to discuss project progress, challenges, and solutions within the team.
- Led initiatives to optimize testing processes, resulting in increased accuracy and reduced time-to-market for releases.
- Managed defect tracking systems, ensuring accurate documentation of issues for efficient resolution.
- Identified critical bugs and worked closely with developers to ensure timely resolution, resulting in a more stable product.
- Conducted regression testing, analyzed results, and submitted observations to development team.
- Optimized test cases to maximize success of manual software testing.
System Integration and Test Engineer
Lockheed Martin
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Extrapolating test cases from system design documents and requirements.
- Developed and executed comprehensive test plans for complex aerospace systems.
- Analyzed test data to identify defects and recommend corrective actions.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product reliability and performance.
- Led root cause analysis initiatives to resolve testing discrepancies and improve processes.
- Implemented automated testing solutions to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.
- Conducted risk assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Facilitated continuous improvement efforts, resulting in enhanced testing procedures and documentation accuracy.
- Maintained up-to-date documentation of all test plans, procedures, results, and defect tracking databases for future reference or audits.
- Tracked test reports and failures determined by root cause data trends.
- Optimized regression testing efforts through continuous improvement of test cases and methodologies.
- Reviewed, evaluated, and identified requirements for testability.
- Created comprehensive test plans, test scripts, and use cases to support testing objectives.
C-17 Aircraft Mechanic
U.S. Air Force
05.2004 - 02.2008
- Maintained and inspected a fleet of over 40 planes, ensuring all were flight-ready and safe.
- Replaced parts, measured wear, and assessed whether parts required repair or replacement.
- Used a wide variety of diagnostic devices, computers, hand tools, and mechanical tools.
- Maintained detailed maintenance records, needing high levels of attention to detail.
- Debriefed pilots to ensure all problems during the flight were known and documented.
- Entered all debriefing reports into the database to ensure the reports were printable and complete.
- Ensured a dedicated, honored Airman kept his memorial after the original memorial was torn down.
- Helped implement tool tracking.
- Created the most efficient organization method for small parts.
- Conducted inspections and maintenance on aircraft systems to ensure operational readiness.
- Diagnosed mechanical issues using advanced troubleshooting techniques and diagnostic tools.
- Repaired and replaced aircraft components, ensuring compliance with military standards and regulations.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance workflow efficiency and reduce turnaround times for repairs.
- Mentored junior mechanics in best practices for aircraft maintenance and safety protocols.
- Led maintenance teams during inspections, ensuring adherence to safety and quality guidelines.
- Performed aircraft maintenance for scheduled preventive actions and unscheduled requirements.
- Reduced downtime for aircraft by efficiently completing scheduled maintenance tasks within allotted timeframes.
- Maintained orderly and safe work environment by enforcing tool control and FOD awareness, prevention, and safety at all times.
- Maintained repair logs to document all corrective and preventive aircraft maintenance.
- Maintained orderly and safe work environment by enforcing tool control and FOD awareness, prevention, and safety.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Colorado Technical University
06.2014
Skills
- Database query development
- Skilled in Unix command line
- Agile methodology expertise
- JIRA proficiency
- Experienced with Visual Studio tools
- Team leadership
- SoapUI testing expertise
- XML application skills
- C software development
- Java development
- Web development with HTML
- Skilled in PHP application design
- CSS design expertise
- Log management
- Command line interface skills
- Event production scheduling
- Vendor negotiation skills
- Commitment to product quality
- Equipment analysis expertise
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Skilled in version control analysis
- Creating and refining software delivery documentation
- Version control expertise
- Collaborative code repository
- Jenkins pipeline management
- Effective problem-solving abilities
- User interface design
- Log analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- MobaXterm proficiency
- Groovy script development
- Angular framework expertise
- Kafka expertise
- Kubernetes management
- Experience with Docker orchestration
- Mobile application testing
- Agile performance measurement
- Team performance enhancement through Agile
- Project coordination
- Agile sprint planning
- Agile methodologies expertise
- End-to-end software development
- Agile metrics tracking
- Agile coaching
- Project management
- Sprint planning
Certification
- SAFe 5.0 Practitioner - March 2025 - 90698011-3266
- PSM1 – Scrum.org - June 2022
- SAFe SM – 5.1
- Leading SAFe 6.0 – May 2024 - 45415348-6238
- SAFe 6.0 Agilist – Oct 2024 - 80711296-1321
- RTE 6.0 – Oct 2024 - 56585560-6613
- SPC 6.0 – Oct 2024 - 76210465-0451
Timeline
Scrum Master
Northrop Grumman
09.2022 - Current
Release Train Engineer
Northrop Grumman
09.2021 - 09.2022
Scrum Master
Northrop Grumman
04.2020 - 09.2021
Software Engineer
Polaris Alpha, A Parsons Company
06.2019 - 04.2020
Software Engineer
Scientific Research Corporation
08.2018 - 06.2019
Software Test Engineer
CGI Federal
11.2016 - 07.2018
Software Test Engineer
Computer Technology Associates
02.2016 - 10.2016
System Integration and Test Engineer
Lockheed Martin
01.2015 - 01.2016
C-17 Aircraft Mechanic
U.S. Air Force
05.2004 - 02.2008
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Colorado Technical University