Manager, Life Support Systems

Axiom Space; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space seeks a Manager, Life Support Systems to lead the Structures & Mechanisms team and drive Environmental Control and Life Support System designs across programs. You will develop people, processes, tools, and standards to ensure high-quality analysis and successful program delivery.

You will mentor engineers, manage staffing and technical governance, and oversee V&V activities while shaping long-term team capabilities in a dynamic, space-focused environment at the Space Station

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Mechanical, Thermal, and Life Support Engineers across all programs.
• Establish and enforce standards to ensure technical rigor and consistency.
• Partner with program managers, chief engineers, and leaders to balance priorities and manage risks.
• Maintain labor forecasts, staffing plans, and resource estimates for Life Support Systems work.
• Define acceptance criteria and quality thresholds for the discipline.
• Provide technical subject matter expertise when requested by projects.
• Monitor metrics on productivity, staffing, review effectiveness, and process maturity.
• Develop team technical capabilities and knowledge management practices.
• Foster professional growth and clear competency paths for the workforce.

Skills

Leadership

Technical governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Education

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

Job description

OVERVIEW 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. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com. 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

• 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

• 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).

EEO STATEMENT

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.

ABOUT AERSPACE

Axiom Space is building the world’s first commercial space station – Axiom Station. Serving as a cornerstone for sustained human presence in space, this next-generation orbital platform fosters groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity, and cultivates the vibrant, global space economy of tomorrow. Today, driven by the vision of leading humanity's journey off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services to the International Space Station and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and low-Earth orbit. Axiom Space is building era-defining space infrastructure that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.