How ITI’s commitment to training and development helped Mariela take the next step.
Investing in employees is a core part of the ITI culture. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, training opportunities and continued education, ITI empowers team members to expand their skills and grow their careers.
For Senior Electrical Engineer Mariela Barragan, that investment has been evident throughout her journey. Mariela began her career at ITI as an intern and has steadily advanced by taking on increasingly complex responsibilities. Over the years, she has led electrical engineering efforts from initial concept through prototype development and production, collaborating with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions. She has also embraced opportunities to expand her technical expertise through advanced simulation software training and recently returned to school to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering.
“Those experiences helped me grow both technically and professionally by giving me the opportunity to take on more responsibility and develop a broader skill set,” said Barragan. “Working on projects from concept through production strengthened my design, integration, and problem-solving abilities.”
Barragan also credits mentorship and continuous learning as important factors in her development. “Don’t be afraid to take on challenges or work on things outside of your comfort zone, because that’s where a lot of growth happens,” she said.
Today, Barragan serves as a Senior Electrical Engineer and mentors junior engineers and interns while continuing to contribute to critical programs. Among the projects she is most proud of is the High-Speed Rugged Data Storage (HS-RDS) program, a technically demanding effort that introduced new design challenges and requirements for the engineering team. She also helped design ITI’s first airborne product, the High-Speed Data Transfer Cartridge (HS-DTC), contributing to a significant milestone in the company’s growth. Her story reflects ITI’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, supporting professional growth, and creating opportunities for employees to build rewarding careers.