Director, Flight Software Engineering

Axiom Space is guided by the vision to build era-defining space infrastructure that drives exploration and fuels a vibrant space economy for the benefit of every human everywhere. Axiom Space is the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit. Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – a permanent commercial destination in low-Earth orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.

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 Director Flight Software Engineering who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.

Position Summary

Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy Director Flight Software Engineering to lead and mature a centralized Center of Excellence that supports Axiom’s complex human‑spaceflight programs.

The Director of Flight Software Engineering establishes unified software development standards, processes, and best practices that elevate technical rigor, strengthen cross‑program collaboration, and ensure consistent delivery of high‑reliability, safety‑critical flight software. This leader drives excellence across the full software lifecycle—including requirements, architecture, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and certification—while ensuring strict compliance with NASA standards, human‑rated requirements, cybersecurity expectations, and mission assurance frameworks.

The role is accountable for scaling flight software capabilities across multiple spacecraft programs, optimizing resources in a matrixed environment, and enabling organizational knowledge sharing. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in spacecraft flight software, real‑time embedded systems, guidance/navigation/control (GNC software), fault management, avionics interfaces, and safety‑critical software architectures. They partner closely with NASA centers, commercial customers, and industry stakeholders to deliver mission‑critical software solutions that enable safe, reliable human spaceflight operations.

This position blends strategic leadership with hands‑on technical insight to advance a world‑class Flight Software Engineering organization capable of supporting a complex, multi‑mission aerospace portfolio.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Flight Software Engineering organization, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and high performance.
• Build and mentor a strong leadership bench, ensuring effective coaching, career development, and succession planning across software disciplines.
• Set the strategic vision for the Flight Software Center of Excellence aligned with company and program objectives.
• Establish and enforce unified software engineering standards, processes, coding guidelines, and best practices across all flight software teams.
• Champion software governance, design assurance, cybersecurity compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all flight software complies with industries standards, program requirements, safety‑critical software guidelines, and mission assurance expectations.
• Oversee the full software lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and certification support.
• Provide technical oversight and decision authority for complex software architectures, real‑time embedded systems, GNC software, fault management logic, and avionics interface implementations.
• Drive cross‑program coordination to optimize software resources, scalability, and organizational efficiency in a matrixed environment.
• Support program leadership in risk management, design reviews, anomaly resolution, software readiness assessments, and mission readiness milestones.
• Collaborate with NASA centers, commercial clients, industry partners, and internal stakeholders to deliver mission‑critical flight software solutions.
• Communicate software development progress, technical status, risks, and issues to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Identify emerging technologies, software tools, capability gaps, and strategic investments to advance long‑term technical excellence.
• Promote adoption of advanced development tools, digital engineering methods, automated testing frameworks, and model‑based software engineering approaches.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational and programmatic needs.

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline required.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in an engineering or computer science field preferred, particularly with aerospace or human‑spaceflight relevance.
• 10 years of progressive flight software or embedded systems engineering experience within aerospace, spacecraft development, or human‑rated systems.
• 8 years of engineering leadership experience, including managing managers and large multidisciplinary software teams.
• Demonstrated success leading software organizations in complex, fast‑paced, mission‑driven environments.
• Proven ability to develop and implement software engineering standards, processes, and governance frameworks.
• Extensive experience working with NASA programs, software standards (e.g., NPR 7150.2), and human‑rated system requirements.
• Direct involvement in full lifecycle development of spacecraft flight software—from concept through certification and mission readiness.
• Experience driving cross‑program alignment, resource planning, and organizational scaling within a centralized engineering structure.
• Strong background collaborating with government agencies, high‑profile customers, and industry partners on mission‑critical systems.
• Track record of delivering results in ambiguous, rapidly evolving environments.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and proactive problem solving in high‑stakes technical contexts.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high‑quality outcomes.
  
  

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

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

• 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.