--- title: 'Sr. Navigation Engineer at Xona Space Systems' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-navigation-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-0jea7jzwfpmk' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-14' --- # Sr. Navigation Engineer at Xona Space Systems - **Company:** Xona Space Systems - **Location:** Burlingame, CA - **Compensation:** $150k–$180k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-07-09 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xona-space/bdbfd848-cc6c-4090-b505-55073520b561/application **Skills:** GNSS-based navigation, State estimation, Statistical estimation, Extended Kalman filters, Unscented Kalman filters, Batch least squares, Factor graphs, Python, C++, GNSS data formats, RINEX, SP3, RTCM, GIPSY, Bernese, Orbital mechanics, Reference frames, Time systems, LEO PNT, Multi-constellation processing > Lead critical initiatives within the Navigation Software team, driving technical direction for core positioning and timing capabilities. The role involves designing algorithms for centimeter-level accuracy, developing orbit determination and clock estimation subsystems, and mentoring junior engineers while bridging... ## 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. We're seeking a Senior Navigation Engineer to lead critical initiatives within our Navigation Software team the brain of our satellite system. In this role, you'll drive the technical direction for our core positioning and timing capabilities, mentor junior engineers, and bridge the gap between algorithm development and flight-ready implementation. You'll own the architecture and development of key subsystems including: - Precise Positioning: Design and optimize algorithms for centimeter-level accuracy in real-time and post-processed solutions. - Orbit Determination: Lead development of OD pipelines, including filter tuning, maneuver handling, and multi-GNSS fusion strategies. - Clock Estimation: Architect timing solutions that meet stringent stability requirements across the constellation. - Atmospheric Modeling: Develop and validate ionospheric and tropospheric correction models, integrating external data sources as needed. - Integrity Monitoring: Define fault detection and exclusion frameworks to support safety-critical applications (aviation, maritime, autonomous systems). You'll also serve as a technical liaison with payload software and systems engineering, ensuring navigation requirements flow down correctly to flight software and hardware interfaces. Required Qualifications - MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. - 7+ years of experience in GNSS-based navigation, state estimation, or related domains (aerospace, autonomous systems, geodesy). - Deep expertise in statistical estimation—extended/unscented Kalman filters, batch least squares, factor graphs, or similar. - Proven track record shipping navigation algorithms from prototype to production. - Strong Python skills for rapid prototyping and analysis; proficiency in C++ for flight or embedded implementations. - Experience with GNSS data formats (RINEX, SP3, RTCM) and tools (GIPSY, Bernese, or similar). - Familiarity with orbital mechanics, reference frames, and time systems. Desired Qualifications - Experience with LEO PNT or multi-constellation/multi-frequency processing. - Background in integrity and protection level computation (ARAIM, SBAS concepts). - Prior work on real-time navigation systems with latency and throughput constraints. - History of mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams. 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