Director, Mechanical Engineering

Director Mechanical Engineering

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 dynamic Director Mechanical Engineering 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 Director Mechanical Engineering leader responsible for shaping and advancing a centralized Center of Excellence within Axiom Space's complex human‑spaceflight environment. This role establishes unified engineering standards, processes, and best practices that elevate technical rigor, strengthen cross‑program collaboration, and ensure consistent delivery of high‑quality flight hardware and mechanical systems. The director leads multidisciplinary teams across the full engineering lifecycle—requirements, design, analysis, integration, verification, and certification—while maintaining strict compliance with NASA standards, human‑rated requirements, and mission assurance expectations. They drive organizational alignment to optimize resources, enable knowledge sharing, and scale engineering capabilities across multiple programs. The role fosters a high‑performance culture rooted in innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. The director partners closely with NASA centers, high‑profile clients, industry partners, and internal stakeholders to deliver mission‑critical mechanical solutions for crewed spacecraft, deep‑space systems, and next‑generation aerospace technologies. Combining strategic leadership with deep technical insight, this position guides the evolution of a world‑class engineering organization capable of meeting the demands of a complex, multi‑mission portfolio.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire the Mechanical Engineering organization, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Build and mentor a strong leadership bench, providing coaching, career development, and succession planning for engineering managers and technical staff.
• Set the strategic vision for the Mechanical Engineering Center of Excellence and ensure alignment with company and program objectives.
• Establish and enforce unified engineering standards, processes, and best practices across all mechanical engineering teams.
• Oversee execution of the full mechanical engineering lifecycle, including requirements, design, analysis, integration, verification, and certification.
• Ensure all mechanical systems and flight hardware meet applicable standards and requirements and mission assurance expectations.
• Drive cross‑program coordination to optimize resource allocation, engineering scalability, and organizational efficiency.
• Provide technical oversight and decision authority for complex mechanical designs, analyses, and system integrations.
• Champion knowledge sharing, engineering governance, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Collaborate closely with clients, industry partners, and internal stakeholders to deliver mission‑critical mechanical solutions.
• Support program leadership in risk management, design reviews, and readiness milestones to ensure successful mission execution.
• Identify emerging technologies, capability gaps, and strategic investments to advance long‑term organizational growth and technical excellence.
• Communicating project progress, status, and potential issues to stakeholders and leadership
• Implementing and maintaining robust 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline required.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in an engineering field preferred, especially with aerospace or human‑spaceflight focus.
• 10+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience within aerospace, spacecraft, or human‑rated systems.
• 8+ years of engineering leadership experience, including managing managers and large multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering organizations in a complex, fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
• Proven track record developing and implementing engineering standards, processes, and governance frameworks.
• Extensive experience working with NASA programs, standards, and human‑rated system requirements.
• Direct involvement in full lifecycle development of flight hardware, from concept through certification and mission readiness.
• Experience driving cross‑program alignment, resource planning, and organizational scaling within a centralized engineering structure.
• Strong background collaborating with government agencies, high‑profile clients, and industry partners on mission‑critical systems.
• 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:

• 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.