System Safety Engineer, Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Location: Houston

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

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. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.

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 System Safety Engineer 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 System Safety Engineer, SME, who will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that designs and operates our own Axiom Space Station in Low Earth Orbit. While safety of personnel and success of our missions are everyone’s responsibility at Axiom, the System Safety Engineer utilizes his/her expertise specifically in system safety tools, processes, and methodologies to timely and effectively identify, characterize, communicate, and recommend mitigations of flight safety and mission success risks.  This role will be onsite at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF).

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the technical authority on safety requirements, standards, rationales, and verification methods.

• Perform hazard analyses across modules, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and integrated operations (transport, launch, visiting vehicles, payloads, ORUs).

• Lead or support Crew Survival Analysis and contribute to Human Rating Certification efforts.

• Generate hazard reports, define hazard causes, and develop mitigation and control strategies.

• Ensure timely approval of safety data packages and closure of all safety requirement verifications.

• Provide safety risk assessments for trade studies and baseline changes to inform decision authorities.

• Identify and communicate potential safety non‑compliances early to drive efficient mitigation.

• Perform anomaly and nonconformance analysis, tracking, and resolution verification.

• Participate in System Safety Working Groups, Safety Review Boards, TIMs, Change Reviews, and lifecycle reviews.

• Provide mission support and communicate status, risks, and issues to stakeholders and management.

• 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 engineering (aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or related discipline).

• 10+ years of experience in system safety related to human spaceflight programs.

• Experience in performing hazard analyses during DDT&E phase.

• Experience in providing and presenting products at safety review panels/boards for approval.

• Knowledge of human rating requirements, safety requirements, safety standards, and their verifications.

• Ability to deliver high quality products and services in ambiguous, fast-paced, dynamic, and tight deadline environments.

• Ability to resolve problems/challenges proactively, collaboratively, positively, and timely.

• 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.