Mechanical Engineering Discipline Manager

Barrios Technology Ltd.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barrios Technology Ltd. is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Discipline Manager in Houston to lead and develop the mechanical engineering workforce, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with program needs.

You will balance staffing, career growth, and customer commitments across multiple programs. Ideal candidates will have 8+ years of experience with at least 4 in people management, a mechanical engineering background, and a customer-focused approach to delivering high-quality engineering

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; 8+ years total experience with 4+ years in people management.
• Leads mechanical engineering teams supporting design, analysis, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of complex systems.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles and best practices.
• Shows a customer-service mindset to meet requirements and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Mechanical Engineering discipline workforce.
• Balance organizational needs with customer commitments and growth goals.
• Attract, retain, and develop key talent; manage performance and career growth.
• Collaborate with leaders to ensure readiness for current programs and future opportunities.
• Monitor workloads, staffing, and resource allocation across groups.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer service mindset

Strategic workforce planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

CAD systems

Engineering analysis tools

Configuration management processes

Engineering review boards

Job description

Overview

Barrios Technology is an engineering solutions partner with more than 45 years of experience supporting NASA and the commercial space industry. We deliver innovative engineering, software, and technology integration services across NASA centers nationwide. Barrios prides itself on a people-focused culture that values creativity, diversity, professional growth, and a healthy work–life balance.

We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. Bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration.Currently there is an exciting opportunity for a Discipline Manager to join the team with Barrios, a teammate company.

Responsibilities

The Mechanical Engineering Discipline Manager is responsible for leading and developing the mechanical engineering workforce, ensuring the department possesses the technical expertise, leadership, capacity, and operational effectiveness necessary to support current programs and future business growth. This role serves as the primary leader for workforce management within the Mechanical Engineering discipline and is accountable for balancing organizational needs, employee development, customer commitments, and the continued growth of mechanical engineering capabilities across the organization. The Discipline Manager fosters engineering excellence and ensures the department is prepared to meet evolving technical and business challenges.

Discipline Vision

• Implements strategic direction established by the Services Director and translates organizational objectives into actionable workforce and operational plans.
• Anticipates future workforce needs and works with Group Supervisors and Leads to ensure the department develops the capabilities and talent necessary to support future business opportunities.

Workforce Leadership

• Provides leadership, coaching, and performance management for employees and subordinate leaders across the department.
• Establishes clear performance expectations, supports career development, and ensures employees receive the guidance and opportunities needed to grow professionally.
• Creates an environment that encourages technical excellence, engagement, accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Works closely with the Service Delivery Manager and HR recruiter to identify hiring requirements, define critical skill needs, and attract highly qualified talent.
• Develops strategies to retain key personnel and maintain organizational stability

Department Operations

• Ensures the Discipline successfully supports all assigned programs and projects while maintaining workforce health and organizational effectiveness.
• Maintains awareness of current and projected workload across all groups.
• Maintains visibility of employee assignments, workload distribution, and staffing demands across all groups
• Evaluates workforce capacity relative to customer demand and develops plans to address shortages, surpluses, or emerging skill gaps.
• Monitors operational performance, identifies challenges, and implements solutions that improve efficiency, responsiveness, and execution.
• Provides oversight of departmental staffing expenditures, workforce investments, training allocations, and operational resources.
• Ensures available resources are used effectively and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Identifies workforce and operational risks that could impact execution, employee retention, technical capability, or future growth.
• Develops mitigation strategies and works with leadership to address issues before they become organizational constraints.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience, including at least 4 years managing people
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical engineering teams supporting the design, analysis, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of complex systems and hardware.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, engineering design processes, and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated customer-service mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality engineering solutions that meet customer requirements and business objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead functional teams, developing the capabilities of those teams and supporting employee career development.
• Collaborative leadership approach that balances the priorities of several Barrios stakeholders (ex. Growth, Program Management)
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and target clear and concise message to the appropriate audience

Preferences:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or other relevant technical certifications.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, government, or complex engineering programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with Systems, Electrical, Software, Manufacturing, and Test Engineering organizations.
• Familiarity with engineering analysis tools, CAD systems, configuration management processes, and engineering review boards.
• Experience supporting proposal development, business growth initiatives, and technical solution development.

Essential Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Applicant selected may be subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
• Work may involve sitting for extended periods.
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lb.
• Must have sufficient mobility to enter areas of test facilities where necessary.
• Generally, an office environment but can involve inside or outside work depending on task.
• Standard office equipment (PC, telephone, fax, etc.)
• Regular attendance in accordance with established work schedule is critical.
• Ability to work outside normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements when required.
• Must be able to work in a team atmosphere.
• Must put forward a professional behavior that enhances productivity and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
• Thispositionmayrequiresomecommutingand travelingto other installations as needed.

Barrios Technology is a drug‑free workplace, which is imperative to the health and safety of all employees and is required as a condition of receiving contracts from federal agencies. Please remember that regardless of the legalization of marijuana in several states, possession and use continues to be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This includes the use of some CBD products. A post‑offer, pre‑employment drug test is a condition of employment.

Barrios Technology is an Equal Employment Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.