Lead RF Engineer

Xona; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Lead RF Engineer in Burlingame, California, to design and optimize RF systems integral to our next-generation GNSS system. This role involves ensuring high accuracy and precision in our RF broadcast services, working closely with teams for project success.

The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of RF engineering principles, experience with PCB design tools, and excellent problem-solving abilities, along with a proactive attitude. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is a core tenet at Xona for all applicants.

Qualifications

• Understanding of electromagnetic principles behind radio frequency communications.
• Hands-on experience using RF test equipment and calibrations.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize RF systems for GNSS.
• Ensure end-to-end RF broadcast system performance.
• Support off-site testing events as necessary.

Skills

Electromagnetic principles

PCB schematics interpretation

RF test equipment usage

Antenna design/testing

RF circuit simulation tools

RF design experience

Problem-solving skills

Tools

Altium

Ansys HFSS

Keysight ADS

AWR Microwave Office

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 a Lead 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 leading a project development schedule from concept to delivered product
• Experience leading direct reports and/or small teams
• 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.