Manager, Computer - aided Design (CAD)

Axiom Space Cad Manager

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 drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

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 CAD Manager who is fueled by high ownership, execution horsepower, growth mindset, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

Position Summary

The CAD Manager is responsible for leading and managing all computer-aided design (CAD) activities supporting the development, integration, and sustainment of aerospace systems and related infrastructure. This role ensures design accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across multiple engineering programs and disciplines. The CAD Manager will lead a team of designers and engineers, establish and maintain CAD standards and configuration controls, and collaborate across functional teams to streamline design workflows. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that all CAD deliverables meet mission, safety, and quality requirements for both flight and ground systems.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Leadership & Oversight:

  • Lead and mentor a team of Mechanical and Electrical CAD designers, drafters, drawing checkers and engineers across multiple aerospace projects.

  • Develop and maintain CAD standards, templates, and best practices to ensure data integrity and model consistency that are relevant for all Axiom business systems.

  • Coordinate workload distribution, design priorities, and deliverable schedules across concurrent programs.

• Design Governance & Quality Control:

  • Implement and enforce design review and quality assurance processes to meet aerospace and AS9100 standards.

  • Oversee CAD file management, version control, and configuration tracking through PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.

  • Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with company and regulatory design requirements.

• System Integration & Process Improvement:

  • Collaborate with EVA and Station Engineering, Manufacturing, and Mission Operations to align CAD data with technical and operational requirement consistency.

  • Interface with IT and software vendors to manage CAD software updates, licenses, and system performance.

  • Identify and implement process improvements and automation tools to enhance design efficiency and accuracy.

• Collaboration & Communication:

  • Partner with cross-functional teams to translate conceptual designs into detailed CAD models and drawings.

  • Serve as the technical point of contact for CAD-related issues, ensuring timely resolution and support.

  • Support documentation, drawing releases, and data transfers for internal and external stakeholders.

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

  • Implementing and maintaining 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 Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Design, or related technical field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.

• 15+ years of CAD design experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership or management capacity.

• Demonstrated experience in aerospace, aviation, or other high-complexity mechanical systems environments.

• Expert proficiency in one or more CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, CATIA, or Creo.

• Strong understanding of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) systems such as Teamcenter, Windchill, Autodesk Vault, or SolidWorks PDM.

• Hands-on experience with Model-Based Design (MBD) and familiarity with transferring PDM data across business systems (e.g., Station, EVA, GSE, Manufacturing) to ensure smooth integration.

• Knowledge of the Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence) preferred.

• Spaceflight hardware design background and SOLIDWORKS certifications (CSWA, CSWP, CSWE, or CSWP-MBD) are desirable.

• Strong grasp of GD&T principles, ASME Y14 standards, and aerospace design documentation requirements.

• Proven ability to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines and in fast-paced, evolving environments.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to problem-solve proactively and apply sound judgment in complex situations.

Grit:

• Passion for space and the mission

• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset

• Perseverance

• Resourceful, adaptable

Skills:

• Ability to work outside core business hours or on weekends to implement company-wide updates or resolve critical technical issues.

• Willingness to be on-call to support business-critical CAD and PDM system needs.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and effectively to managers, clients, and cross-functional teams.

• Skilled in developing and maintaining technical procedures, workflows, business correspondence, and presentations in a clear and consistent manner.

• Proven ability to manage workloads and communications for a multi-disciplinary team effectively.

• Capable of advocating for system-wide consistency when implementing changes to data management systems, templates, or governing documents.

• Proficient in managing and maintaining PDM workflows and related administrative functions.

• Executes priorities with precision, efficiency, and a sense of urgency.

• High emotional intelligence with strong collaboration skills across diverse teams and departments.

• Technologically adept and resourceful in leveraging systems and tools to enhance productivity and operational efficiency.

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

• Sense of Urgency

• Extreme Ownership

• Execution and Delivery

• Efficiency

• Effectiveness

Work Environment:

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task