Production Test Engineering Manager

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. The company is seeking a bold and dynamic Production Test Engineering Manager 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.

Responsibilities

The Production Test Engineering Manager will be responsible for optimizing production test processes to ensure alignment with program milestones and on-time deliveries across Axiom’s various production services. The Test Engineering Manager leads members of the Production Test Engineering and Specialty Testing departments implementing and optimizing product testing processes.

• Strategically manage the Production Test organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Lead, mentor, train and develop 10+ mechanical, electrical, and software engineers.
• Actively manage subsystem schedules, staffing needs, budgets, and deliverables.
• Team morale and culture management, including individual one-on-ones.
• Conflict resolution and removal of impediments.
• Performance management and establishment of annual objectives & key results (OKRs) for the Production Test team.
• Guide development of GSE functional test equipment to facilitate rapid qualification and acceptance testing of flight hardware.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues with existing test systems.
• Lead test planning, risk assessments, safety and test readiness reviews.
• Report to and support the Production Director.
• Perform other 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.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years’ experience in engineering or a similar role, or a combined equivalent of education and experience.
• Experience in hiring and building a high performing team.
• Able to manage project scope and schedule.
• Ability to motivate and provide clear and concise direction to direct reports.
• Hands on experience building, testing and/or assembling ground support equipment for space flight applications.
• Experience with mechanical component and instrumentation selection for test systems.
• Experience with either Vibration, Thermal, or Vacuum Testing (all three preferred).

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with electrical integration of analog and digital components with data acquisition systems (cRIO, cDAQ, Labview).
• Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or other data acquisition and data reduction software(s).
• Experience with pressure system test stands and complex fluid systems, especially common industry fittings (ORB, JIC, AN, Swag, NPT, etc.).
• Experience troubleshooting real-time and finding solutions to mechanical and electrical problems.
• Experience with hazard gasses in laboratory and test environments (oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide, etc.).
• Experience working with mechanical and electrical technicians.

Skills

The ideal candidate will have a resilient and proactive approach to problem solving, passion for space and the mission, entrepreneurial and growth mindset, and high EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally.

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate will embody Axiom Space's core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork, and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Accountability.
• Technical Rigor.
• Execution Discipline.
• Pride of Delivery.

Work Environment

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

Requirements include:

• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.

Physical requirements include:

• 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).