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Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Control Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$77K - $99K/yr

Provide technical support and guidance to internal field technicians and drilling operations and ... Train and mentor junior engineers on control system design, implementation, and maintenance. Train ...

GN&C Lead Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$88K - $116K/yr

The GN&C Lead Engineer will be responsible for leading Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) design, development, integration, and verification activities in support of the IM-4 mission. This role ...

Provide technical guidance on the operation and optimization of the Deer Park VCM site ... Manage standalone instrumentation and control projects. * Develop programming documentation for ...

Provide technical guidance on the operation and optimization of the Deer Park VCM site ... Manage standalone instrumentation and control projects. * Develop programming documentation for ...

Showing results 21-40

Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$39.6K

$78.9K

$126.1K

How much do associate guidance navigation control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate guidance navigation control engineer in Houston, TX is $78,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,600.00 and $90,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate guidance navigation control engineer?

Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineers are early-career professionals who support the design, development, testing, and implementation of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems for aerospace vehicles such as rockets, satellites, or aircraft. Their responsibilities typically include assisting with the modeling and simulation of flight dynamics, developing control algorithms, and analyzing sensor data to ensure accurate guidance and stability. They often work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team and use specialized software tools to solve complex technical challenges. This role is ideal for those with a background in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering and a strong interest in flight systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate guidance navigation control engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, control systems, and mathematics, usually supported by a relevant bachelor’s degree. Proficiency in simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink, programming languages such as C/C++, and experience with navigation sensors or real-time embedded systems is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities set outstanding candidates apart. These skills are crucial for developing reliable guidance and navigation solutions that ensure the safety and performance of aerospace systems.

What are some common challenges faced by associate guidance navigation control engineers during multidisciplinary project collaboration?

Associate Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) Engineers often work closely with teams in software, hardware, and systems engineering. A common challenge is ensuring that the guidance and navigation algorithms are compatible with various hardware platforms and meet system-level requirements. Balancing the needs and feedback from different disciplines, while adhering to project timelines, can require strong communication and adaptability. Proactively engaging in design reviews and cross-team meetings helps minimize misunderstandings and leads to more integrated solutions.

What is the difference between Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer vs Guidance Navigation Control Engineer?

AspectAssociate Guidance Navigation Control EngineerGuidance Navigation Control Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some roles may require internship experienceBachelor's or master's degree; more experience may be preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level position, often in aerospace or defense companies, working under supervisionMid-level role with increased responsibilities, often leading projects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in aerospace, defense, and space industriesUsed in similar industries, with more complex project involvement

The main difference lies in experience and responsibility level. Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting tasks, while Guidance Navigation Control Engineers have more experience and handle complex projects independently.

What are popular job titles related to Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? For Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Guidance Navigation Control Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,915 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

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

Axiomspace

Houston, TX • On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


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 commercialhuman spaceflightservices to the International Space Station and developer ofadvanced spacesuitsfor 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

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 6DOF modeling, simulation, and performance analysis to evaluate system behavior under nominal and offnominal conditions.

  • Build highfidelity 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 flightready software, ensuring numerical stability, computational efficiency, and realtime performance.

  • Collaborate with embedded software teams to integrate, test, and verify GNC functionality on hardwareintheloop (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 rootcause analysis for anomalies observed during testing or operations.

  • Work with hardware teams to define performance requirements and ensure compatibility with GNC architecture.

  • Contribute to systemlevel 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 subprojects, 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 crossdisciplinary 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

  • 4-9years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required

  • Development of attitude control systems on flight vehicles (spacecraft preferred) with experience in at least one of the areas below:

  • Control law development and stability analysis

  • Momentum exchange actuators, including Reaction Wheels and CMGs

  • Control systems for vehicles with flexible modes and articulating components

  • Optimization techniques such as least squares, linear/quadratic programming

  • Experience with SWIL and HWIL testing and integration

  • Actuator testing, characterization, and model development

  • Experience developing with 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations, with experience with NASA's Trick simulation framework and JSC Engineering Orbital Mechanics (JEOD) preferred

  • Proficient with C++, Matlab, and/or Python coding languages

  • 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

Grit

  • Passion for space and the mission

  • Entrepreneurial, growth mindset

  • Perseverance

  • Resourceful, adaptable

Skills

  • Executes priorities with precision and pace

  • High EQ and ability to collaborate within teams and cross-functionally

  • Tech-savvy in using systems and tools to move faster and smarter

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Competencies:

Embody our core values of leadership, innovation, and teamwork. In addition, to perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Accountability

  • Sense of Urgency

  • Extreme Ownership

  • Execution and Delivery

  • Efficiency

  • Effectiveness

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Generally, an office environment, but can involve inside or outside work depending on the task.

Requirements

  • Must be able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

  • Management has the prerogative to select at any level for which the position is advertised.

  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency is a requirement for this position.

  • 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.