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

Axiom Space•Houston, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Axiom Space is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer to design and develop control systems for flight vehicles, contributing throughout the program lifecycle for Axiom Space modules. The role works across multidisciplinary teams and applies a system-level perspective to control-system design and implementation. The position is based onsite at the Space Station Development Facility (SSDF). The successful candidate will bring strong technical, organizational, time-management, and communication skills and be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment. The engineer will develop and analyze GNC algorithms and control laws; model vehicle, sensor, actuator, and environmental behavior; and validate performance through simulation, analysis, and testing. The work includes translating algorithms into flight-ready software, integrating and verifying functionality with embedded software and hardware teams, supporting system-level design and requirements, and assessing test or mission data. The role also involves technical documentation and presentations, cross-functional coordination, compliance with aerospace standards and safety requirements, and communication of project status and issues. The engineer may provide technical leadership on sub-projects and mentor junior engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or another related technical discipline.
2–4 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Development of attitude-control systems on flight vehicles; spacecraft experience is preferred, with experience in at least one of the listed technical areas.
Experience in control-law development and stability analysis, momentum-exchange actuators such as reaction wheels and CMGs, control systems for vehicles with flexible modes and articulating components, optimization techniques, SWIL/HWIL testing and integration, or actuator testing, characterization, and model development.
Proficiency in C++, MATLAB, and/or Python.
Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and producing high-quality results under tight deadlines.
Good judgment and proactive problem-solving skills.
Strong collaboration skills, including ability to work across teams and functions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet critical project milestones.
Demonstrates accountability, sense of urgency, extreme ownership, execution and delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Embodies leadership, innovation, and teamwork; demonstrates grit, passion for space and the mission, an entrepreneurial growth mindset, perseverance, and resourcefulness.

Nice To Haves

Spacecraft experience developing attitude-control systems.
Experience with NASA’s Trick simulation framework and JSC Engineering Orbital Mechanics (JEOD).

Responsibilities

Design, analyze, and implement GNC algorithms for aerospace vehicles.
Develop and refine control laws using classical and modern control techniques, including PID, LQR, MPC, and adaptive control.
Evaluate and integrate spacecraft control effectors such as thrusters, reaction wheels, and CMGs.
Perform 6-DOF modeling, simulation, and performance analysis 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.
Develop simulations using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar tools.
Translate GNC algorithms into flight-ready software, with attention to 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 systems.
Support development of flight-software requirements, interface definitions, and verification plans.
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 improvements.
Troubleshoot and perform root-cause analysis for anomalies observed during testing or operations.
Work with hardware teams to define performance requirements and ensure compatibility with the GNC architecture.
Contribute to system-level design reviews, requirements development, and architecture decisions.
Coordinate with propulsion, avionics, structures, and mission operations teams to align GNC solutions with 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.
Present findings at design reviews, customer meetings, and cross-disciplinary engineering forums.
Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, safety requirements, and certification processes.
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.