Manager, Structures & Mechanisms

About the role

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.

This position reports to the Director – Mechanical Engineering and will be based onsite at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF) in Webster, Texas.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Mechanical Engineers responsible for Structures & Mechanisms design across all Axiom programs.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce standards and practices to ensure technical rigor and consistency.
• Partner 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 Structures & Mechanisms 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

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and engineering, with emphasis on aerospace structures and mechanisms for spaceflight applications.
• 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 mechanical 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.
• Strong understanding of structural analysis methods and mechanical testing requirements for spaceflight hardware.
• Experience with ASME Y14.5 Dimensioning and Tolerancing Standards and ASME Y14.100 Engineering Drawing Practices Standards.
• 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)

Equipment and Machines

• Standard office equipment (PC, phone, printer, etc.)