--- title: 'Quality Assurance Inspector at Xona Space Systems' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/quality-assurance-inspector-xona-space-systems-burlingame-haa1nr5wk5t1' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-09' --- # Quality Assurance Inspector at Xona Space Systems - **Company:** Xona Space Systems - **Location:** Burlingame, CA - **Compensation:** $30–$50/hr - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-08-13 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xona-space/f278e3b8-4fcf-411e-b2db-fb7d2ae78644 ## 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. Xona is looking for a Quality Assurance Inspector to support quality inspection activities within a satellite Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) production facility. The QA Inspector will perform incoming receiving inspection, in-process, and final inspections to verify that materials, components, modules, assemblies, and completed satellites meet engineering requirements, functional performance and desired quality acceptance standards. This role works closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality Engineering to identify issues early, prevent defects from progressing through the build, and maintain accurate inspection records and product traceability. What You’ll Do: - Perform incoming inspection of purchased parts, components, PCBA’s and other materials against drawings, specifications, purchase orders, certificates, and other applicable quality requirements. - Conduct in-process inspections at predetermined process steps throughout the satellite assembly, integration and test build stages. - Support the final inspection process for completed sub-assemblies and satellites prior to crating and storage. Measure, record, test and document specific results and data as part of the final inspection procedures. - Use standard inspection equipment including calipers, micrometers, gauges, optical equipment, and other measurement equipment and tooling as required. - Accurately document inspection results in the company’s QMS/MES/ERP systems as a critical part of the digital build record and traceability. - Identify, document, and communicate nonconforming conditions; support containment and disposition activities as necessary - Support first article, receiving, sampling, and other special inspection activities as production volumes and supplier performance monitoring necessitates - Adhere to all safety and 5S protocols and help maintain a cleanroom-like environment and proper ESD-safe practices during satellite assembly and inspection. What You Bring: - 3+ years of experience in quality inspection, manufacturing inspection, or a similar hands-on manufacturing environment; aerospace, defense, space, electronics, or precision mechanical manufacturing preferred. - Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and digital work instructions. Experience working with QA and Manufacturing software tools. - Familiarity with dimensional inspection and functional GD&T knowledge. - Experience with mechanical and/or electrical assembly inspection preferred - Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and PCB test/inspection equipment; multimeters, ohmmeters, DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, and other lab test equipment. - Strong attention to detail and disciplined approach to documentation and traceability. - High level of teamwork, clear communication and collaboration. Able to work with diverse, talented and multi-disciplinary teams. - Organized, detail-oriented, trustworthy and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. - High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training, ASQ certification, or related experience is a plus. - Current or past certification in IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 is a plus. 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. ## About Xona Space Systems ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Xona Space Systems is building Pulsar, a high-integrity positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) constellation in Low Earth Orbit that delivers authenticated, centimeter-accurate services as a resilient alternative to GPS. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series C – $170M raised ~April 2026) - **Headquarters**: Burlingame, California, USA (also offices in Montreal, Canada and London, England) - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Brian Manning (CEO), Tyler Reid (CTO), Adrien Perkins (VP of Engineering) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Aerospace / Satellite Navigation, Defense & Critical Infrastructure, Autonomous Systems - **Target customers**: B2B / B2G – enterprise, government, defense, autonomous robotics, construction, industrial IoT, and any application requiring resilient PNT - **Mission**: “Unlock the potential of tomorrow’s technologies by providing the most robust and accurate navigation and timing services on Earth.” ## Products & Services - **Pulsar Constellation**: A network of 258 small, software-defined satellites in LEO broadcasting secured, authenticated PNT signals. Offers native user accuracy at centimeter level and is designed to upgrade existing GPS devices via a software update. - **Pulsar‑Verified Receivers & Simulators**: Certified hardware and test platforms for integrators. Includes reference designs and simulation tools. - **Time Authentication Service**: A cryptographic layer that validates the origin and integrity of timing signals, providing resilience against spoofing and jamming. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (conflicting reports may exist; no official figure available) - **Key Metric**: Total funding $327.53M (CB Insights); latest Series C closed ~April 2026 (amount $170M) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not publicly disclosed (funding specifics unknown). Key partners include Murata (MOU for LEO navigation in industrial applications), the Government of Canada (R&D collaboration to strengthen timing resilience), and the National Research Council of Canada. - **Growth Signals**: - Successfully launched Pulsar‑0, the first commercially funded navigation satellite, now in orbit for one year (June 2026). - 11+ patents filed (encrypted navigation signals, wireless locating, etc.). - Active hiring in Burlingame, Montreal, and London; 828 employees on LinkedIn as of mid‑2026. - Collaboration with ISED, NRC, and DRDC to broadcast Canada’s official time signal (UTC(NRC)) from space. ## Competitive Advantages - **First‑mover with a privately funded navigation satellite** – Pulsar‑0 set a precedent for commercial LEO PNT. - **Authenticated signals** – Cryptographic security native to the signal provides spoofing/jamming resistance unmatched by traditional GPS. - **Software‑defined satellites** – Rapid constellation scaling and in‑orbit updates at a fraction of legacy system cost. - **Multi‑national timing broadcast** – Ability to carry multiple official time standards (US, UK, Canada) on a shared infrastructure, creating sovereign resilience for allies. ## Strategic Focus - **Constellation deployment** – Scale from prototype (Pulsar‑0) to a full production fleet of 258 satellites. - **Ecosystem enablement** – Grow partner network of receiver makers, chipset vendors, and integrators (e.g., Murata, government bodies). - **Geographic expansion** – Establish a strong presence in Canada (Montreal) and the UK (London) while deepening relationships with allied governments. - **Defense & critical infrastructure** – Pursue contracts that require autonomous, tamper‑proof PNT for military, aviation, and grid timing. ## Why Work Here - **Impact** – Work on “a generational technology at startup speed”; decisions are pushed to the people closest to the work. Culture of ownership and rapid iteration. - **Compensation** – Competitive salary, equity (ownership culture), 401(k) / Roth 401(k). - **Benefits** – 95% of healthcare premiums covered for US employees (50% for dependents); HSA/FSA options; supportive parental leave (equitable); flexible time off. - **Workplace** – Burlingame office with catered lunches twice a week, snacks, drinks, coffee. Roles also in Montreal and London (hybrid likely per location, but remote‑first not stated). - **Culture** – Engineering‑driven, fast‑shipping, collaborative; team includes leaders from industry and academia. ## Sources 1. [xonaspace.com](https://www.xonaspace.com/) 2. [xonaspace.com/careers](https://www.xonaspace.com/careers) 3. [xonaspace.com/mission](https://www.xonaspace.com/mission) 4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/xonaspace) 5. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/xona-space-systems) ## Other roles at Xona Space Systems - [Technical Writer](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-writer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-f9aj5k2b8g88) — Burlingame, CA - [Développeur(-euse) principal(e) de produits, Fullstack / Senior Product Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/developpeur-euse-principal-e-de-produits-fullstack-senior-product-developer-5ms7v4x25mjs) — Montréal, Canada - [Software Development Engineer in Test](https://feeny.ai/job/software-development-engineer-in-test-xona-space-systems-burlingame-5s17a4hg3e6s) — Burlingame, CA - [Director of Flight Software Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-flight-software-engineering-xona-space-systems-burlingame-8893v6jvsyb9) — Burlingame, CA - [Cloud Security Specialist – Platforms Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/cloud-security-specialist-platforms-engineering-xona-space-systems-burlingame-2cw1wtrhjex7) — Burlingame, CA - [Senior Cloud Architect – Platforms Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cloud-architect-platforms-engineering-xona-space-systems-burlingame-582tm3wbrgvm) — Burlingame, CA - [Spécialiste GNSS / GNSS Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/specialiste-gnss-gnss-specialist-xona-space-systems-montreal-6shb1yzhx57k) — Montréal, Canada - [Product Manager (Ecosystem) / Responsable de Produit (écosystème)](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-ecosystem-responsable-de-produit-ecosysteme-xona-space-systems-xa2agjby9kae) — Montréal, Canada - [Sr. Manufacturing Engineer - PCBA Validation](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manufacturing-engineer-pcba-validation-xona-space-systems-burlingame-6qxd9mezckkj) — Burlingame, CA - [Sr. Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-mechanical-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-pxs5bdaytyzt) — Burlingame, CA