Manager, Structures & Mechanisms

axiomspace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space in Webster, Texas is seeking a resilient, high-energy Manager, Structures & Mechanisms to provide operational leadership for the Structures & Mechanisms team. You will develop people, processes, tools, standards, and technical capabilities to support current and future programs, with accountability for workforce development and governance.

The role partners with program managers and chief engineers to balance priorities, manage resource risks, and ensure timely delivery of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and engineering for spaceflight applications.
• Experience establishing and scaling engineering teams in a rapid-growth environment.
• Experience mentoring engineers in technical fundamentals and best practices.
• Hands-on hardware lead for complex flight hardware (human rated preferred).
• Experience taking mechanical hardware from concept to flight delivery.
• Track record of leading verification and validation activities for flight hardware or systems.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
• Understanding of structural analysis methods and mechanical testing for spaceflight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing 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.
• 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 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.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mechanical design

Education

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

Job description

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Manager, Structures & Mechanisms, 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 at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF) in Webster, Texas.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading and managing 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.
• 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 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:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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-fu