Axiom Space

Production Test Engineering Manager

Axiom Space$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • 10+ years’ experience in engineering or a similar role
  • Experience in building and managing high-performing teams
  • Project scope and schedule management skills
  • Hands-on experience with ground support equipment for space applications
  • Familiarity with mechanical component selection for test systems
  • Experience in Vibration, Thermal, or Vacuum Testing

Responsibilities

  • Manage Production Test organization strategically
  • Lead and mentor a team of 10+ engineers across various disciplines
  • Oversee schedules, staffing, budgets, and deliverable management
  • Enhance team morale and manage culture through individual engagement
  • Resolve conflicts and eliminate project impediments
  • Establish annual objectives and key results for the team
  • Guide functional test equipment development for flight hardware testing
  • Identify and troubleshoot existing test system issues
  • Lead test planning and safety review processes
  • Support the Production Director with reporting

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in the rapidly evolving space industry
  • Collaborative and innovative company culture
  • Engagement in high-impact engineering processes
  • Potential for professional development and training
  • Involvement with advanced technology and aerospace applications
Full Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Production Test Engineering Manager responsible for optimizing production test processes to ensure alignment with program milestones and on-time deliveries across Axiom’s various production services. The Test Engineering Manager leads members of the Production Test Engineering and Specialty Testing departments implementing and optimizing product testing processes.  Responsible for developing overall test strategies, managing testing resources and budgets, and collaborating with cross functional departments to endure hardware or software meets Axiom Space Quality Standards. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Strategically manage the Production Test organization in fast-paced environment.
  • Lead, mentor, train and develop 10+ mechanical, electrical, and software engineers.
  • Actively manage subsystem schedules, staffing needs, budgets, and deliverables.
  • Team morale and culture management, including individual one-on-ones.
  • Conflict resolution and removal of impediments.
  • Performance management and establishment of annual objectives & key results (OKRs) for the Production Test team
  • Guide development of GSE functional test equipment to facilitate rapid qualification and acceptance testing of flight hardware.
  • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues with existing test systems.
  • Lead test planning, risk assessments, safety and test readiness reviews.
  • Report to and support the Production Director.
  • Perform other 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

  • Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
  • Required: 10+ years’ experience in engineering or a similar role, or a combined equivalent of education and experience
  • Required: Experience in hiring and building a high performing team.
  • Required: Able to manage project scope and schedule.
  • Required: Ability to motivate and provide clear and concise direction to direct reports.
  • Required: Hands on experience building, testing and/or assembling ground support equipment for space flight applications.
  • Required: Experience with mechanical component and instrumentation selection for test systems.
  • Required: Experience with either Vibration, Thermal, or Vacuum Testing (all three preferred)
  • Preferred: Experience with electrical integration of analog and digital components with data acquisition systems (cRIO, cDAQ, Labview).
  • Preferred: Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or other data acquisition and data reduction software(s).
  • Preferred: Experience with pressure system test stands and complex fluid systems, especially common industry fittings (ORB, JIC, AN, Swag, NPT, etc.).
  • Preferred: Experience troubleshooting real-time and finding solutions to mechanical and electrical problems
  • Preferred: Experience with hazard gasses in laboratory and test environments (oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide, etc.).
  • Preferred: Experience working with mechanical and electrical technicians

Core Skills

  • A resilient and proactive approach to problem solving
  • Passion for space and the mission
  • Entrepreneurial, growth mindset
  • High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally

Core Competencies:

Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork. In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following 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

  • Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation
  • Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position
  • 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.)

About Axiom Space

Axiom Space is a private space exploration company that aims to build the world's first commercial space station. The company was founded in 2016 by Michael Suffredini, who previously served as the manager of the International Space Station program at NASA. Axiom Space plans to launch its first module to the International Space Station in 2020, and eventually detach it to form the core of its own space station. The company has partnerships with major aerospace companies such as Boeing and SpaceX.
Learn more about Axiom Space

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