Systems Engineering Discipline Manager

Barrios; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Barrios Technology seeks a disciplined Discipline Manager to lead and grow our Systems Engineering workforce. You will ensure technical excellence, capacity planning, and alignment with customer commitments across the full lifecycle of complex aerospace systems.

Responsibilities include developing capabilities in requirements management, architecture, integration, V&V, and risk management, while guiding cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions for NASA and commercial programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• 8+ years of progressive systems engineering experience, including at least 4 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Experience leading systems engineering teams supporting development, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering processes including requirements development and management, architecture development, interface management, integration, verification, and risk management.
• Experience applying systems engineering across multidisciplinary programs involving hardware, software, and operational systems.
• Demonstrated customer-service mindset with a commitment to high-quality technical solutions.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing systems engineering teams.
• Collaborative leadership and effective communication with Barrios stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Systems Engineering workforce and ensure technical excellence.
• Foster the department's leadership, capacity, and operational effectiveness for current programs and future growth.
• Balance organizational needs with employee development and customer commitments.
• Apply standard SE principles and best practices across the full system lifecycle.
• Develop capabilities in requirements management, architecture development, integration, verification/validation, and risk management.
• Identify and mitigate workforce and operational risks to enable growth.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering leadership

Requirements development

Stakeholder communication

Team building

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

Tools

Cameo

MagicDraw

DOORS

MBSE

Job description

Job Location: US-TX-Houston

Job ID: 2026-2886

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 Systems Engineering Discipline Manager is responsible for leading and developing the systems 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 Systems Engineering discipline and is accountable for balancing organizational needs, employee development, customer commitments, and the continued growth of systems engineering capabilities across the organization. The Discipline Manager fosters technical excellence and ensures the consistent application of systems engineering principles, processes, and best practices across the full system lifecycle. This leader is responsible for developing the department's capabilities in requirements management, architecture development, integration, verification and validation, risk management, and technical planning while ensuring the organization is prepared to meet evolving customer, mission, 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 Systems Engineering, Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive systems engineering experience, including at least 4 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading systems engineering teams supporting the development, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems throughout the system lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering processes, including requirements development and management, architecture development, interface management, integration, verification, validation, and risk management.
• Experience applying systems engineering principles across multidisciplinary programs involving hardware, software, and operational systems.
• Demonstrated customer-service mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality technical solutions that meet customer requirements and mission objectives.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing systems engineering teams while fostering technical excellence, employee engagement, and career growth.
• 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 Systems Engineering, Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Professional certification in systems engineering, such as INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, government, or other complex technical programs.
• Experience leading systems engineering activities across the full system lifecycle, from concept development through operations and sustainment.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, DOORS, or similar systems engineering applications.
• Experience developing system architectures, managing technical baselines, and conducting trade studies and requirements analyses.
• Experience collaborating with Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Test, Operations, and Mission Assurance organizations to develop integrated solutions.
• Experience supporting proposal development, basis-of-estimate generation, technical solution development, and business growth initiatives.
• Knowledge of NASA, DoD, or other government systems engineering standards and processes.
• Demonstrated experience establishing systems engineering processes, technical standards, and workforce development programs across an engineering organization.

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.
• This position may require some commuting and traveling to 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.