Mechanical Engineer

axiomspace; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space in Houston seeks an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) for EVA spacesuits. You will own design maturation from concept through on-orbit service, delivering robust hardware for microgravity and partial gravity environments.

The role emphasizes leadership, systems thinking, and hands-on build and test of spaceflight hardware, with a focus on schedule, performance, and certification milestones.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required.
• 7+ years' experience in life support engineering or similar role preferred.
• 1+ years' experience as a people leader.
• Strong understanding of space environments and how they affect design decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a collaborative team developing and validating PV/PLSS technologies for EVA operations.
• Provide systems and technical engineering support for the life support architecture.
• Develop and manage PLSS requirements through system-level certification.
• Ensure designs meet requirements and pass verification and validation tests.
• Communicate project progress, status, and issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Assist in developing and maintaining work tasks, schedules, budget, and test plans.
• Interface with management across the team and support manufacturing and on-orbit operations.
• Review customer deliverables and analyze data to drive improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Hardware testing

Problem solving

Communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

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 drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

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 Mechanical Engineering who is fueled by high ownership, execution horsepower, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a resilient, high-energy, experienced Mechanical Engineer who will primarily be responsible for aiding Axiom's Portable Life Support System (or AxPLSS) team with the development, maturation, and operation of spaceflight hardware to support the Axiom Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacesuit. This role will develop, iterate, and mature single-suit architecture designs for multiple mission environments (microgravity, partial gravity) by owning product delivery timelines through concept, design, fabrication, assembly, delivery, on-orbit demonstration, and on-orbit services.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reporting to the PLSS Manager, this position leads a collaborative team developing and validating technologies that enable EVA operations for sustained human spaceflight in low-Earth orbit and beyond
• Provide systems and technical engineering support for the Axiom life support architecture
• Develop and aid management of PLSS requirements through system-level certification
• Ensure designs satisfy requirements and demonstrate performance in a thorough verification and validation program
• Communicating project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership
• Assist in developing and maintaining work tasks, integrated schedules, budget, and test plans
• Interface with management and submanagers across the team
• Support the manufacturing and assembly of hardware in the facility and through on-orbit operation
• Review customer deliverables
• Analyze data and make recommendations for improvement
• Perform additional job duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field required
• 7+ years' experience in life support engineering, or similar role preferred
• 1+ years' experience as a people leader
• Strong understanding of space environments (grounding/bonding, thermal, vacuum, regolith) and how they affect design decisions
• Experience in defining and implementing engineering standards, processes, and practices
• Hands on experience building, testing, and/or assembling hardware
• Familiarity with flight hardware development and certification
• Experience designing complex systems that balance mass, cost, and capability
• Knowledge of NASA or commercial space program standards
• Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Uses good judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges
• Proven to deliver high quality results under tight deadlines

Grit

• Passion for space and the mission
• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
• Perseverance
• Resourceful, adaptable

Skills

• Executes priorities with precision and pace
• High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally
• Tech-savvy in using systems and tools to move faster and smarter
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Competencies:

• Accountability
• Sense of Urgency
• Extreme Ownership
• Execution and Delivery
• Efficiency
• Effectiveness

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

Requirements

• Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Perm