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Sr. RF Engineer

Xona Space Systems

Burlingame, CAFull-time$170–200K/yrPosted 7mo agoStill listed 2 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$170–200K/yr
Location
Burlingame, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

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Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Security clearance

Job overview

Xona Space Systems is hiring a Sr. RF Engineer. Xona is a navigational intelligence company developing real‑time, centimeter‑level positioning technology. The Sr. RF Engineer will design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems for spacecraft payloads and ground monitoring, ensuring high‑accuracy GNSS service while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and supporting off‑site testing events.

Key focus areas include Design RF systems for spacecraft payload and ground monitoring, Implement RF system components and test setups, and Optimize RF performance against design requirements.

Successful candidates bring Travel To Support Off-Site Testing and U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, Or Other Protected Individual. Important skills include Electromagnetic Principles, Interpret PCBA Schematics, Interpret Layout Drawings, Altium, Multimeters, and Oscilloscopes. Preferred (not required): Space RF Electronics, Multipaction, GNSS Systems, and RF PCB Design.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Electromagnetic PrinciplesInterpret PCBA SchematicsInterpret Layout DrawingsAltiumMultimetersOscilloscopesSignal GeneratorsSpectrum AnalyzersRF Communications Systems Performance MetricsAntenna DesignAntenna TestingAnsys HFSSRF Amplifier TuningRF Circuits TuningRF Design L-BandRF Design S-BandRF Design C-BandKeysight ADSAWR Microwave OfficeRF Test Set-UpsRF CalibrationsAnalyze RF Test DataAssess Performance vs Design RequirementsSelf-Starter AttitudeProactive Project ManagementProblem-Solving SkillsAttention to DetailThrive in Fast-Paced EnvironmentCross-Team CollaborationEffective CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsSpace RF ElectronicsMultipactionGNSS SystemsRF PCB DesignAntenna DesignsPassive RF Sub-Systems ImplementationActive RF Sub-Systems Implementation

Qualifications

Travel to Support Off-Site TestingU.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or Other Protected Individual3-5 Years RF Engineering Experience

Full job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

As an Sr. RF Engineer at Xona, you'll be designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing RF systems to enable our next-generation GNSS system. From spacecraft payload electronics to ground monitoring systems, your work will ensure the end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers Xona’s high-accuracy and high-precision PNT service.

Required Qualifications

  • Understanding of electromagnetic principles behind radio frequency communications.

  • Ability to interpret PCBA schematics and layout drawings. Familiarity with PCB ECAD tools such as Altium.

  • Hands-on experience using electrical/RF test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.

  • Knowledge of typical performance metrics for RF communications systems.

  • Hands-on experience/coursework with antenna design and/or testing. Familiarity with 3D EM simulations tools such as Ansys HFSS.

  • RF amplifier and circuits tuning

  • RF Design experience in L-Band, S-Band and C Band

  • Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools, such as Keysight ADS or AWR Microwave Office.

  • Hands-on experience with RF test set-ups and calibrations.

  • Ability to analyze and interpret RF test data, and assess performance vs. design requirements.

  • Willing and able to travel to support off-site testing events as needed.

  • Self-starter attitude and proactive in seeing projects from design through implementation.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-team collaborative environment.

  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work closely with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to achieve project goals.

  • To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Preferred Qualifications

  • 3 - 5 years of RF engineering experience

  • Experience with space RF electronics, with an understanding of phenomena such as multipaction.

  • Knowledge/experience with GNSS systems.

  • Proven RF PCB and/or antenna designs from past work.

  • Implementation of passive or active RF sub-systems whether on the bench or on PCBs.

For U.S. Roles: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles: To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles: Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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