Thermal Fluids Section Manager

Axiom Space; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space is seeking a Thermal Fluids Section Manager in Houston, Texas. This role leads a team responsible for thermal analysis and fluid dynamics in support of cutting-edge space exploration initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of engineering experience, strong leadership abilities, and familiarity with industry-standard analysis tools. Axiom Space offers a dynamic, inclusive work environment aimed at fostering innovation in space technology.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of engineering experience including thermal analysis, fluid systems, and CFD.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams.
• Strong communication and organizational skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead personnel assignments within Thermal Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics.
• Develop staffing strategies and manage technical issues.
• Track section performance against budget and schedule.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Fluid dynamics

Leadership

Communication

Education

BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering

MS in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SINDA/FLUINT

MATLAB

Python

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 Thermal Fluids Section 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Thermal Fluids Section Manager. The Thermal Fluids Section Manager provides functional leadership for the Thermal Fluids Analysis organization, including Thermal Analysis, and Computational Fluid Dynamics. 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.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead personnel assignments and priorities across multiple programs and technical disciplines within Thermal Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics.
• Develop and execute section staffing strategies, including workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, retention, succession planning, cross-training, and employee development.
• Maintain labor forecasts, staffing plans, budget inputs, BOEs, ROMs, and resource estimates for section work to ensure programs have adequate thermal fluid analysis support to meet cost, schedule, technical quality, and customer commitments.
• Partner with program managers, chief engineers, and functional leaders to balance priorities, resolve resource conflicts, and manage technical and schedule risks.
• Serve as the escalation point for technical issues, staffing conflicts, quality concerns, and cross-disciplinary coordination challenges.
• Track and communicate section performance against budget, schedule, quality, deliverable completion, review closure, and customer commitments.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce section workflows, review gates, standards, templates, analysis checklists, reporting expectations, and configuration-control practices to ensure technical rigor and consistency.
• Establish and monitor metrics related to quality, productivity, staffing utilization, review effectiveness, and process maturity, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct audits, support customer reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, and define corrective-action activities related to thermal fluids analysis products and processes.
• Develop and maintain section technical capabilities, methods, software tools, automation solutions, and knowledge management practices (e.g., lessons learned) to ensure long‑term competitiveness and program success.
• Conduct employee one‑on‑ones, performance evaluations, career development discussions, promotion planning, recognition, counseling, and corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct employee one‑on‑ones, performance evaluations, career development discussions, recognition, counseling, and promotion planning, while mentoring Thermal and CFD engineers.
• Review and approve employee timecards, overtime, travel, training, and resource requests.
• Communicate section performance, staffing risks, technical concerns, and improvement plans to upper management.
• 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

Required

• BS in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience in thermal analysis, fluid systems, heat transfer, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and thermal verification and testing.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams, technical organizations, or functional groups, including personnel development, resource planning, and multi‑disciplinary coordination.
• Experience with industry‑standard thermal and fluid analysis tools and workflows, including software such as Thermal Desktop, SINDA/FLUINT, Star‑CCM+, OpenFOAM, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing plans, labor forecasts, budgets, schedules, priorities, and multi‑program resource demands.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical issues and recommendations effectively to engineering leadership, program management, customers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience developing or enforcing engineering workflows, quality procedures, technical standards, review gates, and deliverable expectations.
• Strong communication, organization, mentoring, customer interface, and leadership skills.

Preferred

• MS degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• PMP certification.
• Experience supporting human spaceflight programs and familiarity with NASA standards and requirements.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary thermal analysis and fluid systems organizations.
• Experience with thermal vacuum testing, fluid systems testing, model correlation, and verification activities.
• Experience with configuration management and engineering quality systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft thermal control systems, environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), propulsion fluid systems, cryogenic systems, or other aerospace thermal‑fluid applications.

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

• Ownership and Accountability
• Pride of Delivery
• Quality and Technical Rigor

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, religion, 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 a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.