Description

The DarkStar Group is seeking a Scrum Master with a TS/SCI clearance to join one of our top projects in Herndon, VA.  Below is an overview of the project, as well as information on our company, our benefits, and our $25,000 referral program.

THE PROJECT

The DarkStar Group's team solves unique and challenging intelligence problems for a Special Operations customer. This work is as close to the mission as a technologist can get, so the environment is fast-paced: team members face rapidly-changing requirements and priorities as mission needs evolve. If you hate monotony and want to use your skills to have a direct impact on real-world operational success, this is the project for you.

We are a multi-faceted software development and systems administration team working to build and maintain software applications backed by a self-managed cloud infrastructure (OpenStack) with a true big-data footprint (over 10 petabytes). Our diverse background of experience in mission support and software development serves as a catalyst to solve unique and challenging intelligence problems in support of special operations analysts and their on-going activities. Prototyping and frequent, iterative feedback are core to our delivery approach, anchored by a need to work quickly in support of our missions.

The technical stack is quite robust and includes Java, Python, C#, C/C++, Geospatial tools, Big Data and Graph Products (Hadoop, MapReduce, Spark, ElasticSearch, Neo4j), Linux, OpenStack, AWS, Ansible, SQL/NoSQL, Text Processing, Cloud Services, Containerization, Infrastructure as Code (IAC), and more.

Work on this program takes place in the Herndon, VA area (we cannot support remote work) and requires a TS clearance and a willingness to obtain a CI Poly: a current TS/SCI + CI Poly is preferred.

THE ROLE

The DarkStar Group is seeking a mid-level Scrum Master with strong technical writing skills to help organize and facilitate program notes, whiteboarding sessions, and agile ceremonies. Our program team is a multi-faceted software development and systems administration team working to build and maintain software applications backed by a self-managed high-performance compute (HPC) infrastructure on a private cloud system.  We are responsible for the system from the hardware to the user interface.

Day-To-Day Responsibilities:

• Lead Agile ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Retrospectives, PI planning), ensuring organized and focused activities.
• Organize and document program notes, whiteboarding sessions, and action items for team alignment.
• Mentor cross-functional teams in Agile practices, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones.
• Manage priorities and facilitate sprint goals across multiple teams and workstreams.
• Conduct gap analysis to align teams with desired outcomes.
• Support documentation of project deliverables, including reports, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful sprint outcomes.
• Use JIRA, Confluence, and other tools to track and analyze agile initiatives and performance.
• Lead meetings (virtual and in-person), ensuring efficient documentation and follow-up.
• Create and edit technical content for various audiences, including presentations and reports.

Required Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 5+ years of experience in Agile project management, Scrum, and key ceremonies (backlog grooming, sprint planning, retrospectives, PI planning).
• Skilled in technical writing, including clear documentation, presentations, technical reports, and process guides.
• Experienced in organizing and facilitating whiteboarding sessions, capturing structured action points.
• Proficient with JIRA, Confluence, and other tools for agile planning and tracking.
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, including continuous improvement and sprint planning.
• Effective communicator with cross-functional teams, SMEs, and stakeholders, both in-person and remotely.
• Adaptable communication style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience working with senior leadership, managing shifting priorities, and ensuring attention to detail.

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Familiarity with Visio or similar diagramming tools for creating technical process flows.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to structure content effectively and keep programs and meetings on track.
• Experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices (not mandatory).
• Willingness to continuously learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

About The DarkStar Group

Our Company

The DarkStar Group is a small business that solves BIG problems. We're one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the US, and our engineers and scientists support the most critical national security missions in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Data Science, Software Engineering, Cloud/AWS Infrastructure, and Cyber/CNO are our core areas of expertise. We offer interesting and important work, job security, some of the best and most flexible benefits you'll find in the IC, and salaries so strong that they'll likely surprise you. 

Our Benefits

The DarkStar Group offers exceptional compensation and benefits:

• very strong salaries;
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents;
• the ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision;
• 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits;
• a generously-funded HSA;
• an 8% 401(k) contribution; 
• 31 days of PTO/holidays to start (more with tenure);
• the ability to flex time across pay periods without using your PTO;
• a generous training budget;
• $25,000 employee referral bonuses;
• business development / growth incentives; and
• top notch company swag.

** We have a huge growth opportunity, so we are offering up to a $25,000 reward for anyone new you refer whom we hire. **

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.