Associate Manager, Flight Autonomy Application

Axiom Space; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space seeks a Flight Autonomy Applications Manager to lead the development and delivery of autonomous flight software for spacecraft operations. You will manage a multidisciplinary team of software engineers, ensure compliance with mission, safety, and quality requirements, and collaborate across systems engineering, GNC, propulsion, and mission operations.

You will drive the design, verification, and deployment of onboard software capabilities, integrate autonomy algorithms, and guide

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Engineering; 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Track record of delivering in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Good judgment with proactive problem-solving and high-quality results.
• Strong organizational skills to meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, roadmap, and execution of spacecraft flight autonomy software across all mission phases.
• Mentor and develop a team of flight software engineers; foster leadership and collaboration.
• Oversee design, development, verification, validation, and deployment of onboard software capabilities.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, GNC, Mission Operations, Safety, and Programs to define requirements and objectives.
• Provide software architecture proposals, development standards, and best practices for safety-critical systems.
• Drive integration of autonomy algorithms, planning, fault management, and decision-making into flight software.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace, cybersecurity, safety, quality, and mission assurance requirements.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and resolution of complex software and mission issues.
• Coordinate with testing/V&V for simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, system integration, and mission readiness testing.
• Support customer reviews, proposals, and program milestone reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Aerospace flight software

Systems engineering

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree (CS/IS/Engineering)

Tools

GNC

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high‑energy Flight Autonomy Applications Manager leads the development, integration, and delivery of autonomous flight software applications that enable safe, reliable, and resilient spacecraft operations. This role manages a multidisciplinary team of software engineers that deliver onboard control software applications, and ensures compliance with mission, safety, and quality requirements. The manager partners closely with systems engineering, avionics, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), propulsion, mission operations, and various other subsystems to translate mission objectives into scalable software solutions. Success in this role requires strong leadership, expertise in aerospace flight software, and a passion for advancing autonomous spaceflight technologies.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the strategy, roadmap, and execution of spacecraft flight autonomy software applications across all mission phases, in collaboration with software program integration leads, systems engineering, software architects, etc.


• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of flight software engineers, fostering leadership, technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.


• Oversee the design, development, verification, validation, and deployment of onboard software capabilities.


• Collaborate with Systems Engineering, GNC, Mission Operations, Safety, and Program teams to define requirements and mission objectives.


• Provides software architecture proposals, development standards, and best practices for safety‑critical flight systems.


• Drive integration of autonomy algorithms, planning systems, fault management, and decision‑making capabilities into flight software.


• Ensure compliance with aerospace, cybersecurity, safety, quality, and mission assurance requirements.


• Lead technical risk identification, mitigation planning, and resolution of complex software and mission issues.


• Collaborate with testing and V&V teams for software testing activities, including simulation, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, system integration, and mission readiness testing.


• Support customer reviews, proposal efforts, technical presentations, and program milestone reviews.


• Evaluate emerging autonomy technologies and guide continuous improvement initiatives to enhance spacecraft operational capability and mission success.


• 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 Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Engineering, 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• 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

• 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.

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 will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.