Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

MANAGER-R&D - Software Engineering Department

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) • $120K — $145K *
San Antonio, TX 78228In-Person
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with relevant experience.
  • 10 years of experience leading software engineering teams and conducting performance reviews.
  • Proven end-to-end software lifecycle experience with hands-on design and development skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft tools and AI tools for software development enhancement.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools like GitLab and TeamCity is highly desired.
  • Excellent communication skills for technical and management roles; detail-oriented and organized.
  • Experience with technical writing and developing software proposals.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor software engineers to strengthen technical expertise and career growth.
  • Guide project requirements development, software design, and task estimation for timely delivery.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers to align solutions with business needs.
  • Support business development through proposal development and resource planning.
  • Encourage team innovation and participate in internal research and development initiatives.
  • Provide leadership on staffing initiatives and sustain engineering team growth.
  • Communicate risks and technical solutions effectively to various stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.
  • Supportive work environment promoting innovation and teamwork.
  • Access to advanced software development tools and resources.
  • Participate in exciting, cutting-edge projects aligned with industry standards.
Full Job Description
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

About Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a non-profit research and development organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The institute was founded in 1947 and has since grown to employ over 3,000 people across multiple locations in the United States. SwRI provides research and development services to a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and energy. The institute's research areas include automation and data systems, chemistry and chemical engineering, and space science and engineering. SwRI has a long history of working with government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, as well as private companies.
Learn more about Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
Size
3,000 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
* Ladders Estimates

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