Senior Infrastructure Systems Administrator

Axiom Space; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space is seeking a bold Senior Infrastructure Systems Administrator to join our mission-driven team in Houston. You will design, develop, test, and verify the Ground Systems including Mission Control Center networks and related infrastructure.

You will collaborate across engineering, NASA interfaces, and operations to build reliable, scalable, and secure systems. The role demands strong Linux/Windows expertise, cloud experience, containerization, and leadership in incident response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in computer science or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive systems administration in enterprise environments.
• Strong Linux and Windows Server expertise with design and performance troubleshooting.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure and AWS) in hybrid/on-prem environments.
• Experience with containers/orchestration (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Proven leadership in incident response and postmortems.

Responsibilities

• Administer, monitor, and optimize Windows and Linux environments.
• Design and manage hybrid cloud infrastructure (Azure/AWS).
• Own storage, backups, disaster recovery, and DR testing.
• Automate operations using PowerShell, Bash, Python; drive IaC with Terraform/Ansible.
• Lead infrastructure projects; coordinate with cybersecurity and Ground Systems teams.
• Provide Tier 3 incident escalation and perform root-cause analyses.

Skills

Windows Server

Linux

VMware vSphere/ESXi

Hyper-V

Azure

AWS

Terraform

Ansible

PowerShell

Python

Go/C#

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

ITAR/NIST compliance

Incident response

Networking/storage basics

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Splunk

Prometheus/Grafana

GitHub/GitLab CI

Jira/Confluence

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.

Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Senior Infrastructure Systems Administrator, 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. The Senior Infrastructure Systems Administrator will participate in the design, development, testing, and verification of the Axiom Ground Systems, which include Axiom’s Mission Control Center and the Mission and Sim networks. This role will collaborate with various engineering disciplines, Axiom personnel, and NASA representatives to develop the requirements, verification strategy, network architecture, hardware configurations, data analytics, software tools, operations concepts, processes, and console support products required for Axiom’s Mission Control Center to support Axiom’s presence in space.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administer, monitor, and optimize Windows Server and Linux environments, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, and certificate services.
• Manage virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere/ESXi or Hyper-V), including cluster design, resource allocation, and lifecycle upgrades.
• Design and maintain hybrid cloud infrastructure (Azure and/or AWS), including identity federation, IaaS workloads, and cost governance.
• Own enterprise storage and backup systems; define and test backup, recovery, and disaster-recovery procedures to meet Service Level Agreements.
• Drive patch and vulnerability remediation at scale across Linux (package/kernel lifecycle) and Windows (WSUS/SCCM/Intune, monthly cycles), with automation and minimal disruption to endpoint configuration.
• Partner with the cybersecurity and Ground Systems teams to enforce hardening baselines (CIS, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53) and support audit and compliance activities, including working knowledge of ITAR and CUI handling requirements.
• Automate routine operations using PowerShell, Python, and Bash.
• Lead infrastructure projects: scoping, vendor evaluation, implementation planning, change management, and documentation.
• Serve as Tier 3 escalation for complex incidents; participate in an on-call rotation and lead root-cause analysis for major outages.
• Maintain accurate system documentation, network diagrams, and runbooks; mentor junior team members on best practices.
• Architect and mature the observability platform (metrics, logs, traces, SLO-based alerting) so issues are caught and understood fast.
• Influence system architecture and design reviews early, embedding reliability, scalability, and operability from the start.
• Collaborate on applicable Axiom Station integration products — test plans, regulatory documentation, system architecture, and design solutions — as related to operations, ground systems, interface definitions, mission timelines, and procedures across functional teams.
• Support as a Ground Controller or related flight control discipline to plan, train, and fly real-time Axiom Station missions as part of the operations team at Axiom Space.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of progressive systems administration experience in enterprise environments.
• Open to level III and IV.
• Compensation commensurate with experience.
• Deep Linux expertise: systems internals, networking, storage/filesystems, kernel-level performance troubleshooting, and advanced shell scripting.
• Deep Windows Server expertise: Active Directory design, DNS/DHCP, Group Policy/GPO management at scale, IIS, Failover Clustering, SCCM/MECM, Intune, DSC, and advanced PowerShell.
• Strong programming ability beyond scripting (Python, Go, or C#) — you build tools and platforms, not just one-off scripts.
• Production experience with containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Mature CI/CD experience (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, Jenkins) and deployment-safety patterns.
• Strong command of at least one major cloud (AWS, Azure, or GCP); comfort in hybrid/on-prem-to-cloud environments.
• Proven ownership of infrastructure as code and configuration management (Terraform, Ansible).
• Demonstrated leadership in incident response and postmortem culture.
• Security/compliance leadership (CIS hardening, NIST 800-171/800-53, SOC 2 / ISO 27001, audit ownership).
• Excellent judgment and communication.
• 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience administering hybrid Linux (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu) and Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) environments at enterprise scale.
• Familiarity with NIST cybersecurity frameworks (800-53, 800-171) and CMMC compliance requirements in a Defense Contractor or regulated environment.
• Experience hardening systems to secure configuration baselines (CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIGs) across mixed OS environments.
• Experience with Identity and Access Management (IAM), directory services, and identity providers (Active Directory, LDAP, Azure AD/Entra ID).
• Experience with Microsoft technologies in hybrid/cloud environments (Azure, Azure DevOps, SharePoint, Group Policy).
• Experience with infrastructure automation and configuration management (Ansible, PowerShell DSC, Terraform).
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices as they relate to infrastructure and patch management.
• Experience with monitoring and logging platforms (Splunk, Prometheus/Grafana, SolarWinds, or similar).
• Relevant certifications (Security+, RHCE/RHCSA, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator, or similar).
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and IT service management (ITSM/ITIL) practices.
• Hands-on experience using AI-assisted tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT) for scripting, automation, or troubleshooting.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork.
• Technical Proficiency.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking.
• Attention to Detail.
• Communication & Collaboration.
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning.
• Project Management.
• Cross-Functional Partnership with Business Systems Analysts & SMEs.
• AI Tool Fluency & Responsible Adoption.

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.).

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.

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.