Vice President, Commercial Flight Missions at Axiomspace

Axiom Space is guided by the vision to build era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy for the benefit of every human everywhere. Axiom Space is the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit. Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – a permanent commercial destination in low-Earth orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

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 Vice President of Missions 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 Vice President of Missions is responsible for leading the strategic vision, planning, and execution of all spaceflight missions from concept through post-flight analysis. This executive role oversees mission architecture, mission planning and integration, operational readiness, and execution, ensuring all missions meet technical, operational, and business objectives. The VP of Missions will lead cross-functional teams, manage large-scale missions and on-orbit operations, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure mission success. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future spaceflight strategy and enabling sustainable and scalable mission operations.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the planning, integration, and execution of all commercial Axiom Space (AX Missions) flight missions from concept through post-launch operations.

• Develop and implement mission architecture and operational strategies aligned with Axiom Space objectives.

• Manage mission assurance, risk assessment, payloads, and readiness reviews to ensure mission success and regulatory compliance.

• Build and mentor a high-performing mission operations and integration team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

• Develop staffing strategies, oversee hiring, mentoring, and performance management of mission leadership and technical teams.

• Foster a high-performance culture emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

• Partner with engineering, launch, and business development teams to align technical capabilities with customer requirements.

• Oversee mission schedules, budgets, and performance metrics to ensure delivery on time and within scope.

• Represent the company with government agencies, partners, and stakeholders on mission-related activities.

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in mission planning tools, processes, and technologies.

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

• Implement and maintain 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 Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related engineering field required; Master’s or PhD preferred.

• 20+ years of experience in mission operations, launch operations, or spacecraft systems engineering.

• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership or executive management role within the aerospace, defense, or space industry.

• Proven track record of managing and delivering complex, high-stakes missions on schedule and within budget.

• Experience leading large technical and operational teams (25+ personnel) across multiple programs strongly preferred.

• 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.

Skills

• Passion for space and the mission

• Executes priorities with precision and pace

• Entrepreneurial, growth mindset

• 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.