Electrical Design Engineer IV at Axiom Space in Houston

Electrical Design Engineer IV

Location: Houston

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. 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 Electrical Design Engineer Level IV 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 Electrical Design Engineer (up to Level IV) to own the design and development of electrical and electronics components for the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) Portable Life Support System (PLSS).

The AxEMU PLSS contains flight computers, radios, sensors, and network switches that enable communication and control during all aspects of a spacewalk. You will be responsible for creating the electrical and electronic components that manage commands, telemetry, and internal data flows, ensuring the suit operates reliably and meets mission objectives. Technical scope grows around that core as you learn the program: interface data checks, PCB card design, test readiness, supplier data intake, and review package preparation.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conceptualization, design, development, testing, and integration of electrical systems.
• Select and trade avionics architectures to balance performance, power, mass, cost, and reliability
• Ensure designs meet radiation hardness, reliability, and resilience standards for space environments.
• Lead requirements definition and develop Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for integration with other spacecraft systems.
• Integrate with other vehicle and test functions including thermal control, flight software, power distribution, test facilities, and test support equipment.
• Specify functional, performance, and environmental requirements for electrical systems.
• Document design decisions, trade studies, and verification plans.
• Provide technical oversight during integration, system-level testing, and acceptance testing.
• Resolve technical issues and ensure the electrical systems meet all mission-critical performance goals.
• Lead vendor selection and make/buy decisions, balancing technical risk, schedule, cost, and lifecycle support.
• Evaluate commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components for suitability and reuse potential.
• Communicate progress, status, and issues honestly and early, including when something is not working.
• 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 from an accredited college or university in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• Level 4: 8 or more years’ experience in circuit and PCB design. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Expertise in the design, analysis, and integration of spacecraft avionics, embedded systems, and data handling protocols.
• Proficiency in a lab setting working oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and related lab equipment.
• Expertise using EDA software such as Altium Designer.
• Deep knowledge of I2C, SPI, SpaceWire, Ethernet, RS422/485, UART, USB, and similar spacecraft communications protocols.
• Expertise implementing ADCs and analog sensing circuits such as radiometric, 4-20mA, and related.
• Familiarity with high-speed and mixed-signal digital designs.
• Proficiency in IPC standards for board design; preference for experience designing IPC class 2 and 3 PCBs.
• Experience with product life cycle and having worked on designs from concept through production.
• Vehicle integration experience is a plus.
• Expertise in supporting EMI/EMC and other validation tests.
• Experience designing and routing controlled-impedance and controlled-length signals.
• Experience mentoring early-career engineers in all aspects of electrical design.
• Clear technical writing, and the ability to produce verification documentation, status material, and review packages that other people can act on.
• Curiosity, initiative, and the willingness to ask a question early rather than deliver a wrong answer late.
• Comfort working in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment where the answer is often not yet written down.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in integration and test in spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other high reliability programs.
• Working knowledge of interface control documents, requirements management tools such as Jama or DOORS, or configuration management practice.
• Experience with laboratory or test operations, including equipment procurement, facility readiness, or test scheduling.
• Working knowledge of industry or space program standards such as NASA SSRI, IEEE-ISTO-MOSA-IF-S-001, MIL-STD-1553, NASA-STD-7002, or NASA-STD-3001.
• Engineering team leadership experience is a plus.
• Professional Engineer-Electrical certification, or progress toward professional certification.

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

• This position may require access to export controlled technical data or technology subject to NASA regulations, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In accordance with U.S. export control laws, final candidates may be required to undergo additional export control screening to determine eligibility for access. Meeting these requirements is a condition of employment.
• Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised
• 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.