Guidance, Navigation, & Controls (GNC), Controls Engineer

Axiom Space; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space in Texas is seeking a Senior GNC Engineer to design and implement guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for flight vehicles. You will work with multi-disciplinary teams to develop control laws and validate performance using simulations and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

The role requires strong background in 6-DOF modeling, attitude control systems, and experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 4–9 years of experience in aerospace or flight-control development.
• Experience developing attitude control systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and implement GNC algorithms for aerospace vehicles.
• Develop and refine control laws (PID, LQR, MPC, adaptive control).
• Evaluate spacecraft control effectors and perform 6-DOF modeling and analysis.
• Translate GNC algorithms into flight-ready software with real-time performance.
• Collaborate with embedded software teams and test on HIL systems.

Skills

GNC design

Control algorithms

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

System-level design

HIL testing

Team collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Embedded systems

Job description

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 drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy that will empower our civilization to transcend Earth for the benefit of every human, everywhere.

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 GNC Engineer 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.

We are looking for a resilient, high-energy, experienced Senior GNC Engineer with experience designing control systems for flight vehicles. The engineer will work in fast paced environment to contribute to the development of control systems across the program lifecycle for Axiom Space's modules. The successful engineer will work well across multi-disciplinary teams and use a system level understanding when implementing their design. The role requires strong technical background, organizational time management and adept communication skills. Will be based onsite at our Space Station Development Facility (SSDF).

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, analyze, and implement GNC algorithms for aerospace vehicles.
• Develop and refine control laws using classical and modern control techniques (PID, LQR, MPC, adaptive control, etc.).
• Evaluate and integrate spacecraft control effectors (e.g. thrusters, reaction wheels, CMGs).
• Perform 6‑DOF modeling, simulation, and performance analysis to evaluate system behavior under nominal and off‑nominal conditions.
• Build high‑fidelity dynamic models of vehicles, sensors, actuators, and environmental disturbances.
• Conduct Monte Carlo analyses, sensitivity studies, and stability assessments to validate robustness and reliability.
• Use tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar environments to develop simulations.
• Translate GNC algorithms into flight‑ready software, ensuring numerical stability, computational efficiency, and real‑time performance.
• Collaborate with embedded software teams to integrate, test, and verify GNC functionality on hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) systems.
• Support development of requirements, interface definitions, and verification plans for flight software.
• Plan and execute verification and validation activities, including unit tests, SIL/HIL testing, and integrated system tests.
• Analyze flight test or mission data to assess GNC performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for anomalies observed during testing or operations.
• Work with hardware teams to define performance requirements and ensure compatibility with GNC architecture.
• Contribute to system‑level design reviews, requirements development, and architecture decisions.
• Collaborate with propulsion, avionics, structures, and mission operations teams to ensure GNC solutions align with overall vehicle design.
• Provide technical leadership on sub‑projects, mentor junior engineers, and support design trade studies.
• Prepare technical reports, design documentation, test plans, and analysis summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Present findings at design reviews, customer meetings, and cross‑disciplinary engineering forums.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, safety requirements, and certification processes.
• 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 Aerospace Engineering or other related technical degree required
• 4-9 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Development of attitude control systems