Science, Labs, and Operations Discipline Manager

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.

The Science, Laboratories, and Operations Discipline Manager is responsible for leading and developing the scientific, laboratory, and operations 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 Science, Laboratories, and Operations discipline and is accountable for balancing organizational needs, employee development, customer commitments, and the continued growth of scientific, laboratory, and operational capabilities across the organization. The Discipline Manager fosters technical excellence, operational rigor, and a culture of safety while ensuring the consistent application of best practices across laboratory operations, scientific investigations, mission operations, and technical support activities. This leader is responsible for developing the department's capabilities in research, laboratory management, operational readiness, mission execution, and technical services 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.

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Engineering, Operations, or related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in scientific, laboratory, operations, or technical program environments, including at least 4 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams supporting scientific research, laboratory operations, mission operations, testing, technical services, or related activities.
• Strong understanding of laboratory operations, scientific processes, operational planning, resource management, and safety requirements.
• Demonstrated customer-service mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality technical and operational solutions that meet customer requirements and mission objectives.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams while fostering technical excellence, accountability, employee engagement, and career growth.
• Experience identifying workforce capability gaps and implementing training, mentoring, and development strategies to strengthen organizational competency.
• Experience managing workload distribution, staffing requirements, workforce planning, and resource allocation across multiple projects or operational functions.
• Collaborative leadership approach that effectively balances the priorities of multiple stakeholders, including Growth, Program Management, Technical Leadership, and Customer organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization and tailor clear, concise messages to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferences:

• Master's degree in a Science, Engineering, Operations, or related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, government, research, laboratory, or mission operations programs.
• Experience managing laboratory facilities, scientific investigations, testing environments, or operational control centers.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety programs, operational readiness reviews, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams consisting of scientists, engineers, technicians, operators, and laboratory personnel.
• Experience developing operational procedures, work instructions, training programs, and process improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with risk management, mission assurance, configuration management, and technical review processes.
• Experience collaborating with Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Program Management organizations to support integrated mission objectives.
• Experience supporting proposal development, basis-of-estimate generation, technical solution development, and business growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience establishing organizational processes, technical standards, workforce development programs, and operational best practices across a scientific or operational 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.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity; for immediate consideration, apply now!

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.