Manager, Life Support Systems

Manager, Life Support Systems

Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond.

Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Manager, Life Support Systems, who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

Position Summary

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Manager, Life Support Systems, who provides operational leadership for the Structures & Mechanisms team. The role is responsible for developing the people, processes, tools, standards, and technical capabilities needed to support current and future programs. This position is accountable for workforce development, resource planning, technical governance, and the consistent delivery of high-quality analysis products that meet customer, quality, and configuration-management requirements. This position reports to the Director Mechanical Engineering and will be based onsite and will be based at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF) in Webster, Texas.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Leading and managing a team of Mechanical, Thermal, & Life Support Engineers responsible for Environmental Control and Life Support System designs across all Axiom programs.

Establish, maintain, and enforce standards and practices to ensure technical rigor and consistency.

Partners with program managers, chief engineers, and functional leaders to balance priorities, resolve resource conflicts, and manage technical and schedule risks.

Maintain labor forecasts, staffing plans, and resource estimates for Life Support Systems work to ensure programs have adequate support to meet cost, schedule, technical quality, and customer commitments.

Define acceptance criteria for work performed by the discipline, establish review expectations and quality thresholds.

Provide technical subject matter expertise when requested by projects.

Establish and monitor metrics related to productivity, staffing utilization, review effectiveness, and process maturity, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Develop and maintain team technical capabilities and knowledge management practices to ensure long-term competitiveness and program success.

Maintain clear competency expectations and role progression paths and foster professional growth and technical depth of the workforce.

Perform additional job duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

10+ years of experience in design and engineering, with emphasis on aerospace life support systems for spaceflight applications.

Strong working knowledge of mechanical, fluid and pressure-based systems.

Experience establishing and scaling engineering teams in a rapid-growth environment.

Experience mentoring or instructing engineers in technical fundamentals and engineering best practices.

Prior experience in a shared services engineering organization supporting multiple programs simultaneously.

Demonstrated hands-on experience as a hardware lead for complex flight hardware assemblies (human rated preferred).

Experience taking hardware from concept to flight delivery.

Track record of leading verification and validation (V&V) activities for flight hardware or systems.

Working knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and quality systems in design of environmental and thermal control systems.

Experience guiding and mentoring a diverse team.

Core Skills

Passion for space and the mission

Entrepreneurial, growth mindset

High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally

Tech-solutioning in using systems and tools to move smarter and faster

Core Competencies:

Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork. In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Accountability

Technical Rigor

Execution Discipline

Pride of Delivery

Work Environment:

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Requirements

• This position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In accordance with U.S. export-control laws, final candidates may be required to undergo additional export-control screening to determine eligibility for access. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment.
• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones

Physical Requirements

• Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods (90% of the time)
• May require lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (5% of the time)

Axiom Space is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Axiom Space does not discriminate on the basis of race, regional color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.