Group Manager, Extra-vehicular Activities Qualification and Verification

Overview

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.

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 Manager, Test & Verification (T&V) Engineering responsible for leading the T&V department and owning the relevant processes for performing within our programs. This position reports to Systems Engineering & Integration VP. This role is onsite and will be based at our Hercules facility.

Position Summary

Axiom Space is building the future of human spaceflight and orbital infrastructure, and the work is as complex as it sounds. We're looking for a resilient, high-energy Manager, Test Verification & Validation (V&V) to lead the planning, implementation, and closeout of verification activities across our programs. This role spans all phases of the systems development process, including verification definition, design, integration, test, and operations.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the engineering team, setting priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with organizational strategy
• Plan, coordinate, and implement verification and validation activities across programs
• Define system, subsystem, and component verification approaches and verification requirements
• Allocate verifications to verification activities, and plan and coordinate their implementation
• Draft closure notices to perform verification close-out
• Own technical and operational accountability for engineering deliverables across multiple projects or programs
• Develop and execute engineering roadmaps, resource plans, and budgets that support business objectives
• Identify and mitigate significant technical, schedule, and resource risks across the organization
• Staff programs with qualified SEIT engineers
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and workforce planning to build and scale the team
• Lead goal setting, mid-year reviews, performance evaluations, and year-end reviews, informed by feedback from peers and stakeholders
• Guide employee development conversations that address near-term needs and long-term career aspirations
• Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align engineering strategy with company-wide goals
• Represent engineering in leadership forums, program reviews, and strategic planning sessions
• Drive engineering process maturity, standards, and best practices across teams
• Implement and maintain agile project management methodologies throughout the project lifecycle
• Communicate progress, status, and emerging issues to stakeholders and leadership
• Champion a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement across the engineering function
• Perform other systems engineering tasks as needed

Education & Experience

Required

• BS in Engineering (Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical), Physics, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in test planning and execution on complex space development programs, with related experience in space payloads, spacecraft, or space vehicles
• Experience managing and leading teams, including motivating direct reports and giving them clear, concise direction
• Ability to manage project scope and schedule
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with experience communicating to both senior decision-makers and technical audiences

Preferred

• Experience of NASA human spaceflight programs
• INCOSE CSEP certification

Skills & Attributes

• Track record of making things happen in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Sound judgment and a proactive approach to solving hard problems
• Strong organizational skills, delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines
• Results-oriented, with a creative approach to problem-solving
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and self-motivated

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.)