Oxygen
Makes and stores oxygen and propellant from what is on Mars.
Frontier work hiring now: Build and run electrolyzers, hydrogen plants and industrial gas systems: pipefitting, pressure work and chemistry, shift after shift.
On Earth
On Earth this means industrial gas plants, electrolysis, cryogenics and rocket propellant handling.
In space
NASA's MOXIE experiment on the Perseverance rover made oxygen from Martian carbon dioxide 16 times between 2021 and 2023. Scaling that up for breathing and rocket fuel is this department's job.
Roles on our board now
Real titles from current openings that lead toward Oxygen work. 18 internship · 4 entry · 9 experienced
Core skills
- Thermodynamics and chemistry
- Cryogenic and high-pressure handling
- Electrochemistry basics
- Test stand operations
- Safety procedures
Tools you'll see
- Python or MATLAB
- P&ID and valve sizing tools
- DAQ and test stand software
- CAD for plumbing
Earth backgrounds that transfer
- Industrial gas plant operators
- Welders and pipefitters on high-pressure systems
- Propulsion test techs
- Chemists
- Respiratory equipment technicians
Starting out
Propulsion test internships and student rocket teams (liquid engines especially) are the clearest path.
Changing careers
High-pressure and cryogenic experience is in demand. Show your safety record and apply to propulsion technician and test roles.
Academy track
The Oxygen Track: Electrolysis, Gases and Pressure Systems track is open: 4 modules and a final test, free for crew members.
Oxygen ranks
Ranks reflect Mars Mining Academy progress. They are not job titles and do not mean employment. Everyone starts at Atmos Tech 1 the moment they join and pick Oxygen. Ranks are worked out from the quizzes you pass, the certificates you earn and the projects you finish. You can't set them yourself.
Atmos Tech 1 MM-R1
Join the department. Everyone starts here.
Atmos Tech 2 MM-R2
Pass 2 module quizzes in this department's track and fill in your resume basics: name, contact and target role, education and training, professional experience and skills.
Gas Tech MM-R3
Pass every module quiz in this department's track and finish early life, the work-style interview, passions and at least one portfolio item. Lateral transfer opens here.
Plant Operator MM-R4
Earn the track certificate and finish a solo real-world project, submitted and reviewed. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Shift Lead MM-R5
Finish a team project with other crew members. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Plant Manager MM-R6
Lead a team project and pass the capstone. Coming: projects aren't open yet.
Transfers
You serve in one department at a time and start at Atmos Tech 1 (R1). Once you reach R3 in your department you can put in for a lateral transfer. You start at R1 in the new department, and every rank you earned before stays on your service record, which shows on your dashboard and your certificate verify page.
Before R3 you stay put. The one exception: if you picked wrong, you can change once in your first 7 days.
You can hold top rank in every department. That takes years, because the higher ranks need real-world projects and team work, not just quizzes.
Is this you?
- You respect pressure and cold
- You like chemistry that does something
- You follow procedures because you know why they exist
If you nodded at two or more, Oxygen is worth a look. Not sure? Take the quiz.