---
title: 'RF Test Engineer at Xona Space Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/rf-test-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-z3js8x6aggvj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-14'
---

# RF Test Engineer at Xona Space Systems

- **Company:** Xona Space Systems
- **Location:** Burlingame, CA
- **Compensation:** $130k–$150k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xona-space/1dd03951-79fa-4a0e-8ce6-c230d607fec3

## 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.

## Overview

Xona is building the next generation of satellite navigation - a high-performance, resilient alternative to GPS powered by a commercial constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. We are on a mission to unlock a new era of autonomy, advanced mobility, and infrastructure resilience by delivering precise, secure, and robust positioning services to the world.

We’re not here to incrementally improve GNSS. We’re here to redefine it from the ground up. We’re looking for a highly motivated and hands-on RF Test Engineer to join our growing team and take ownership of testing the RF systems that power our next generation service. In this role, you’ll be instrumental in designing and executing test campaigns for everything from our mission-critical payload to the RF subsystems that tie together the satellite bus. This is an in-person role that demands technical depth, creativity, and a strong desire to build and break hardware in service of a mission. If you thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment, enjoy getting your hands on flight hardware, and take pride in designing test setups that are both clever and rock solid, we’d love to meet you.

What You’ll Do:

- Design, implement, and execute test plans for a wide range of RF systems, including payload transmit/receive chains, telemetry/command links, GNSS receivers, and interconnects across the satellite bus
- Build and maintain RF test setups using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and custom fixtures
- Develop automated test scripts and data capture tools to accelerate and standardize test workflows
- Perform detailed analysis of RF test data to validate system performance and characterize margins
- Troubleshoot RF anomalies at the board, subsystem, and system level
- Support environmental testing (e.g., thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC) with RF test instrumentation and monitoring
- Work closely with subsystem teams to ensure test coverage aligns with mission requirements
- Contribute to the definition of test requirements and verification matrices across the full satellite development lifecycle

You Might Be a Fit If:

- You take pride in building reliable, high-quality test systems and seeing them used to validate flight hardware
- You enjoy hands-on work in the lab and are comfortable working directly with complex RF systems
- You approach testing as an opportunity to learn, improve, and de-risk — not just verify
- You’re confident interpreting unexpected results and methodically tracking down root causes
- You’re proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently to push tests forward
- You thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve and your contributions directly impact mission success
- You get a thrill out of isolating a weird RF issue down to a connector, solder joint, or firmware setting
- You like working on cross-functional teams where your input shapes hardware, software, and system decisions
- Hands-on, solutions-first mindset — you're comfortable debugging at the system level.
- Ability to move fast, make decisions, and pivot when needed without getting stuck.
- Great communicator who can break down complex ideas for teammates and stakeholders.
- Passion for building real-world systems that go beyond theory.

Requirements:

- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in RF testing, preferably in aerospace, defense, or telecommunications
- Deep familiarity with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, etc.)
- Strong foundation in RF fundamentals, including link budgets, S-parameters, gain/loss calculations, and impedance matching
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python for test automation and data analysis
- Comfort working in lab environments and around flight hardware
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines

Desired Qualifications:

- Experience testing RF systems in space environments (TVAC, EMI/EMC, vibration, etc.)
- Familiarity with satellite communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, DVB-S2, S-band, C-band, L-Band)
- Understanding of digital signal processing and RF impairments
- Experience with GNSS systems and signal acquisition
- Familiarity with configuration control and documentation practices in a hardware development environment

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

- [Materials & Inventory Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/materials-inventory-specialist-xona-space-systems-burlingame-p58ech32axv8) — 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
- [Mechanical Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-designer-xona-space-systems-montreal-ag4x17p05a7c) — Montréal, Canada
- [Manufacturing Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-specialist-xona-space-systems-montreal-4bc9hnte6h2t) — Montréal, Canada
- [Manufacturing Technician / Technicien(ne) en Fabrication](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-technician-technicien-ne-en-fabrication-xona-space-systems-j5tdvq7300ys) — Montréal, Canada
- [Spacecraft Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-test-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-rs38mda13pmy) — Burlingame, CA
- [Manufacturing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-6qxd9mezckkj) — Burlingame, CA
- [Software Developer / Développeur(euse) logiciel](https://feeny.ai/job/software-developer-developpeur-euse-logiciel-xona-space-systems-montreal-wf929qs3v0rr) — Montréal, Canada
- [Cloud Infrastructure Engineer - Platform Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/cloud-infrastructure-engineer-platform-engineering-xona-space-systems-burlingame-96dpvd85gdtc) — Burlingame, CA
- [Spécialiste GNSS / GNSS Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/specialiste-gnss-gnss-specialist-xona-space-systems-montreal-6shb1yzhx57k) — Montréal, Canada