---
title: 'Sr. Software Engineer - Build & Release at Xona Space Systems'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-software-engineer-build-release-xona-space-systems-burlingame-k6sjpw7g46s8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-28'
---

# Sr. Software Engineer - Build & Release at Xona Space Systems

- **Company:** Xona Space Systems
- **Location:** Burlingame, CA
- **Compensation:** $165k–$185k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-28
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xona-space/d18e7513-410e-418b-a1c4-5626a535e102/application

**Skills:** C++, CMake, GNU Make, Ninja, Bash, Linux, CI/CD, Python, Docker, QEMU, Yocto, Buildroot, GitLab CI, Bazel, ldd, nm, objdump, readelf, Clang-Tidy, AddressSanitizer

> Join Xona to own the compilation infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and dependency management for large-scale C++ satellite systems. You will optimize build times, ensure stable releases, and support embedded Linux environments to improve developer velocity.

## 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

We are looking for a Sr. Build & Release Software Engineer to join our team, focusing on the application software powering our satellite systems. In this role, you will take ownership of our compilation infrastructure, continuous integration pipelines, and dependency management across large-scale C++ codebases running in Embedded Linux environments. You will operate at the intersection of software engineering and developer infrastructure, helping improve developer velocity, reduce build and test times, and maintain stable, repeatable releases across both simulated and hardware-integrated systems.

## What You'll Do

- Design, maintain, and optimize cross-platform build systems using tools such as CMake and Bazel.
- Manage and upgrade compiler toolchains (GCC, Clang, etc.) while handling complex dependency graphs, third-party libraries, and internal package management.
- Own, scale, and secure Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) workflows tailored for large-scale C++ applications.
- Diagnose and optimize compilation and linking bottlenecks through caching, parallelization, and distributed build strategies.
- Ensure seamless cross-compilation across multiple architectures including x86 and ARM.
- Support testing in containerized and emulated environments using technologies such as Docker and QEMU.
- Write robust tooling and automation scripts in Python and Bash for environment provisioning, static analysis, and artifact generation.
- Partner closely with core C++ developers to improve modular architecture, dependency management, and overall build reliability.
- Build reproducible and deterministic build and release environments across local development, CI, and hardware-integrated systems.

Required Qualifications

- 3 - 5+ years of experience focused on Build/Release Engineering, Developer Infrastructure, or DevOps supporting complex C++ codebases.
- Advanced proficiency with CMake and GNU Make/Ninja.
- Strong Linux shell and scripting skills, including Bash.
- Strong understanding of the C++ build, compilation, and linking lifecycle.
- Familiarity with modern C++ standards (C++17/20/23).
- Experience managing transitive dependencies and modular build targets.
- Experience working within Linux-based development environments.

Desired Qualifications

- Experience with Embedded Linux build systems such as Yocto or Buildroot.
- Experience with hardware emulation tools such as QEMU and containerization platforms such as Docker.
- Familiarity with GitLab CI workflows.
- Background in embedded software development and/or aerospace systems.
- Experience with distributed build systems such as Bazel remote execution.
- Knowledge of linker internals, symbol visibility, and binary analysis tools such as ldd, nm, objdump, and readelf.
- Familiarity with static and dynamic analysis tooling including Clang-Tidy, AddressSanitizer (ASan), and SonarQube.

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 Program Manager, Satellite](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-program-manager-satellite-xona-space-systems-burlingame-9cn9ds1q4gbv) — Burlingame, CA
- [Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-recruiter-xona-space-systems-montreal-gad04nx4ktzw) — Montréal, Canada
- [Production Technician & Equipment Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/production-technician-equipment-operator-xona-space-systems-burlingame-4rjzb4svpptz) — Burlingame, CA
- [Production Line Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/production-line-lead-xona-space-systems-burlingame-11mcz2gv8ha1) — Burlingame, CA
- [PCB Layout Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/pcb-layout-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-3m63sac71z2k) — Burlingame, CA
- [Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-k0kdmc85kx2h) — Burlingame, CA
- [Thermal Engineer - Analysis & Test](https://feeny.ai/job/thermal-engineer-analysis-test-xona-space-systems-burlingame-s9ekzv92qp9t) — Burlingame, CA
- [RF Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-engineer-xona-space-systems-burlingame-jykcvq5ps29x) — Burlingame, CA
- [Spécialiste GNSS / GNSS Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/specialiste-gnss-gnss-specialist-xona-space-systems-montreal-6shb1yzhx57k) — Montréal, Canada
- [Production Leader / Senior Production Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/production-leader-senior-production-manager-xona-space-systems-burlingame-ad6r2ec9qdz0) — Burlingame, CA