Guidance, Navigation and Controls - Trajectory Flight Operations Engineer

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 Guidance, Navigation and Controls - Trajectory Flight Operations 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a resilient, high-energy, experienced Guidance, Navigation and Controls - Trajectory  Operations Engineer. The operations engineer will develop Axiom Mission Operations and certify to be an Axiom Flight Controller. The flight controller will be responsible for real-time monitoring, analysis, and execution of all vehicle trajectory, attitude, and navigation functions during pre-flight, ascent and on-orbit phases. This role ensures the vehicle maintains the correct orbit, attitude, pointing, and navigation plan while meeting safety, mission, and system-performance requirements.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define the Concepts of Operations for crewed and uncrewed Axiom Space Station missions.

• Develop or Analyze trajectory and orbital navigation data to ensure feasibility and safety of vehicle and crew.

• Perform orbit determinations while maintaining situational awareness of vehicle constraints to optimize trajectory for dynamic events and minimize orbital risks.

• Monitor onboard trajectory/navigation telemetry, profiles and parameters, and execute maneuvers in the Mission Control Center.

• Detect and respond to off-nominal vehicle performance through execution of onboard and ground-commanded attitude profiles, burn profiles, and collision-avoidance actions.

• Support conjunction assessment and maintain compliance with flight rules, procedures and processes.

• Contribute to mission software requirements, testing, and integration for Axiom Station operations.

• Validate profiles and vehicle compatibility for visiting vehicle docking/berthing, proximity operations, payload ops, jettison analysis, and comm-link acquisition.

• Work with other systems Flight Controllers, Engineers and external stakeholders to ensure integrated trajectory and attitude compatibility.

• Participate in pre-mission sims, mission rehearsals, and certification events.

• Document anomalies, lessons learned, procedure and flight rule updates.

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

• Implement and maintain 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

• 2-5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required

• Track record of delivering outcomes in ambiguous, fast-moving environments

• Uses good judgement to problem-solve proactively, positively impacting hard challenges

• Proven to deliver high quality results under tight deadlines

• Demonstrate ability to progress and accomplish flight controller certification

Grit

• Passion for space and the mission

• Entrepreneurial, growth m