Materials & Process Principal Engineer

Location: Houston

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

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 Materials & Process Principal Engineer 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

Our team is looking for an energetic and dynamic Materials & Process Engineer who will work in a collaborative engineering team environment who will primarily be responsible for aiding Axiom’s Space Suit team with the design and development of structural and mechanical components of the space suits.  

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise, guide, and provide consultation on requirements for Materials & Processes (M&P) for intravehicular (IVA) and extravehicular (EVA) environments, including materials selection, process control, and qualification, design for corrosion prevention, electrical bonding, flammability, toxic off-gassing, and processes specification.

• Perform trade studies for technical solutions, including make/buy recommendations.

• Provide input to program/project specifications and ensure appropriate materials requirements are incorporated into all program/project specifications at the right level.

• Review project/program documentation and specifications to ensure NASA standards are met regarding Materials and Processes used in spaceflight hardware.

• Assess whether standard vendor processes meet M&P requirements, and if not, clearly define changes that need to be implemented.

• Review production drawings for large complex assemblies systematically, documenting the review to the established requirements.

• Lead and coordinate internal and external M&P efforts for additive manufacturing, including the development of material specifications, process specifications, supplier qualifications, part qualifications, mechanical testing, and customer-facing updates.

• Support the development of internal engineering and quality processes to standardize and accelerate material evaluation, implementation, and qualification.

• Provide vendors with recommendations for qualification and acceptance testing that will properly satisfy verification of requirements.

• Be familiar with metallic and nonmetallic materials specifications, properties, and testing.

• Provide inspection and manufacturing process support for human space flight systems.

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

• 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

• B.S in Engineering, Math, or Materials Science

• 15 + years of experience in material and process engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Proven to deliver high quality results under tight deadlines

• Knowledge of NASA standards and material data requirements for spaceflight hardware

• Demonstrable mastery/success of materials and process engineering

• Direct work experience in Metallurgy (heat treatment, corrosion control, additive manufacturing, welding, failure analysis, etc.)

• Knowledge in metallurgy includes aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, etc.

• Familiar with requirements for contamination control and verification methods for space hardware

• Knowledge of engineering drawing review for materials and processes

• Broad materials & processes support metallic materials including additive manufacturing (AM), forging, casting, forming, extrusion, plating, coating, welding, brazing, anodization, and passivation

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

Grit

• Passion for space and the mission

• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset

• Perseverance

• Resourceful, adaptable

Skills

• Executes priorities with precision and pace

• High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally

• Tech-savvy in using systems and tools to move faster and smarter

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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.

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.