MANAGER-R&D - Software Engineering Department

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, TX is seeking a Software Engineering Section Manager to lead top software developers delivering signal intelligence solutions across Air, Land and Sea platforms. You will mentor engineers, guide requirements, planning, and estimates, promote CI/CD practices, and partner with customers and division leaders to drive technical excellence.

The role demands a strong track record in leadership, end-to-end software lifecycle experience, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Software Development, Software Management, Engineering Management, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field with related experience.
• PMP preferred.
• 10 years: Experience leading software engineering teams, conducting performance reviews, and developing direct reports.
• End-to-end software lifecycle experience required; hands-on design/development experience and a self-motivated commitment to continuous learning are highly desired.
• Proficient with Microsoft tools and experienced using AI tools to improve software development and routine workflows.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools such as GitLab and TeamCity is highly desired.
• Skilled at developing and presenting material to varied audiences.
• Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills required for technical and management responsibilities.
• Must be detail-oriented, proactive, self-directed, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills required.
• Experience supporting software proposals, including technical writing and development estimates.
• Skilled in reviewing technical documentation, architectures, frameworks, and designs.
• Familiarity with CMMI and other software quality standards is highly desired.
• A valid/clear driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct line management for software engineers, including mentoring, career development, performance reviews, regular one-on-one engagement, workload coordination, and personnel responsibilities consistent with company policies and procedures.
• Grow and sustain software engineering teams through recruiting, interviewing, hiring, workforce planning, and resource management.
• Support Department and Division staffing needs and provide effective leadership on boards, committees, and technical initiatives.
• Provide software leadership at the project and Scrum Master level.
• Guide requirements development, software design, alternatives analysis, technical debt management, task estimation, scheduling, and execution to support predictable, on-time delivery.
• Partner with technical leaders to establish, improve, and promote software engineering standards, tools, and development practices aligned with evolving industry standards.
• Encourage innovation and support internal research and development initiatives.
• Support business development and capture activities aligned with organizational strategy.
• Contribute to proposals by developing software technical approaches, writing technical content, defining staffing and schedules, and producing credible development estimates.

Skills

Software leadership

Mentoring

Performance reviews

Requirements estimation

Communication

People management

CI/CD pipelines

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Software Engineering

PMP

Tools

GitLab

TeamCity

Job description

Who We Are:

Join the Defense and Intelligence Solutions Division as a Software Engineering Section Manager, leading top software developers providing solutions for next generation signal intelligence systems that span various customers and requirements across Air, Land, and Sea platforms. Lead, manage, and mentor software development staff, as well as driving innovation through new technologies, frameworks, and architectures.

Objectives of this Role:

• Lead, manage, and mentor software engineers, strengthening technical expertise and supporting long-term professional growth.
• Provide guidance on task decomposition, estimation, prioritization, execution, and effective software development practices.
• Build strong customer relationships by understanding mission and business needs and translating them into effective technical solutions.
• Support business development through requirements refinement, technical approaches, estimates, and proposal development.
• Apply hands-on software development experience, design practices, development tools, CI/CD, and task-management systems to provide technical leadership and software management support across programs and development teams.
• Communicate effectively with customers, technical teams, leadership, and remote staff regarding technical solutions, risks, and decisions.
• Develop clear technical documentation and tailor communication to the needs and expertise of the audience.
• Lead performance management and professional development of software staff, including meaningful performance reviews, recruiting, interviewing, and hiring.
• Support workforce and resource planning to meet current and future Division software needs.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Provide direct line management for software engineers, including mentoring, career development, performance reviews, regular one-on-one engagement, workload coordination, and personnel responsibilities consistent with company policies and procedures.
• Grow and sustain software engineering teams through recruiting, interviewing, hiring, workforce planning, and resource management.
• Support Department and Division staffing needs and provide effective leadership on boards, committees, and technical initiatives.
• Provide software leadership at the project and Scrum Master level.
• Guide requirements development, software design, alternatives analysis, technical debt management, task estimation, scheduling, and execution to support predictable, on-time delivery.
• Partner with technical leaders to establish, improve, and promote software engineering standards, tools, and development practices aligned with evolving industry standards.
• Encourage innovation and support internal research and development initiatives.
• Support business development and capture activities aligned with organizational strategy.
• Contribute to proposals by developing software technical approaches, writing technical content, defining staffing and schedules, and producing credible development estimates.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors or a Masters degree in Software Engineering, Software Development, Software Management, Engineering Management, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related degree field with related experience.
• PMP preferred.
• 10 years: Experience leading software engineering teams, conducting performance reviews, and developing direct reports.
• End-to-end software lifecycle experience required; hands-on design/development experience and a self-motivated commitment to continuous learning are highly desired.
• Proficient with Microsoft tools and experienced using AI tools to improve software development and routine workflows.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools such as GitLab and TeamCity is highly desired.
• Skilled at developing and presenting material to varied audiences.
• Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills required for technical and management responsibilities.
• Must be detail-oriented, proactive, self-directed, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills required.
• Experience supporting software proposals, including technical writing and development estimates.
• Skilled in reviewing technical documentation, architectures, frameworks, and designs.
• Familiarity with CMMI and other software quality standards is highly desired.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

• Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Job Locations:

San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Defense & Intelligence Solutions home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.