Vice President, Engineering and Spacecraft Development

Axiom Space is guided by the vision to build era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy for the benefit of every human everywhere. Axiom Space is the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit. Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – a permanent commercial destination in low-Earth orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

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 dynamicVice President, Engineering and Spacecraft Development 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 VP, Engineering & Spacecraft Development, who leads end‑to‑end spacecraft design, engineering, integration, and delivery for complex space systems supporting national security, civil, and commercial missions. Drives technical excellence, program execution, and cross‑functional alignment across engineering, manufacturing, test, and mission assurance teams. The role requires deep experience in aerospace or defense environments, including large‑scale, multi‑year programs with stringent safety, reliability, and compliance requirements. Success in this position demands strategic leadership, disciplined systems engineering, and the ability to operate effectively with government, DoD, and industry partners.  This role will be based onsite at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF) in Webster, TX. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct all phases of spacecraft development, from concept and architecture through design, integration, testing, and on‑orbit operations.

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and ensure adherence to rigorous aerospace, DoD, and mission assurance standards.

• Oversee program schedules, budgets, risk management, and technical performance for multiple concurrent spacecraft programs.

• Partner with government agencies, defense customers, and prime contractors to ensure compliance with mission, security, and regulatory requirements.

• Drive system‑level design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and ensure technical readiness at each program milestone.

• Establish development roadmaps, technology strategies, and long‑term capability growth for spacecraft platforms.

• Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure production readiness, quality, and configuration control.

• Lead root‑cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and operations.

• Represent the organization in customer briefings, executive reviews, and industry forums related to space and defense programs. 

• Build, mentor, and develop high‑performing technical teams capable of executing complex, mission‑critical programs.

• Communicate project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership.

• Implement and maintain agile project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle.

• 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 Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in engineering or technical discipline preferred.

• 15+ years of experience in spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle, or advanced aerospace system development.

• Proven leadership of large‑scale, complex DoD, NASA, Aviation, or defense‑industry programs.

• Demonstrated success managing engineering organizations of 300+/- organization with multi‑disciplinary technical teams.

• Strong background in systems engineering, mission assurance, or spacecraft integration and test.

• Experience with government acquisition processes, MIL‑STD requirements, and secure program execution.

• Prior work with classified programs, secure facilities, or special access programs (SAP/SCI) strongly preferred.

• Program Management Professional (PMP), INCOSE CSEP, or equivalent certification beneficial.

• Military service or direct experience supporting DoD space or aviation programs is a significant advantage.

• Track record of making things happen in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

• Uses good judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges.

• Demonstrated organization skills to meet tight deadlines with high quality results.

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:

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.)

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.