Lead RF Engineer Hardware

Front Door Defense; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Lead RF Engineer in Burlingame, California, to lead the design and delivery of RF systems for its next-generation GNSS constellation. Responsibilities include designing and optimizing RF systems to ensure high-accuracy positioning services.

The ideal candidate will have strong skills in RF communications, experience with PCB design tools, and a proactive attitude toward project management. US citizenship is required for this role.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience using electrical/RF test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to travel to support off-site testing events as needed.
• Self-starter attitude and proactive in seeing projects from design through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems for GNSS.
• Ensure end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers high-accuracy PNT service.

Skills

Understanding of electromagnetic principles

Ability to interpret PCBA schematics

Hands-on experience with RF test equipment

Knowledge of RF communications systems metrics

Experience with antenna design/testing

RF design experience in L-Band, S-Band, C Band

Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools

Ability to analyze and interpret RF test data

Excellent problem-solving skills

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Altium

Ansys HFSS

Keysight ADS

AWR Microwave Office

Job description

Lead RF Engineer

Lead design and delivery of RF systems for Xona’s next-generation GNSS constellation.

Location: Burlingame, California, United States

Compensation: $170,000 - 200,000 USD / year

Job Tags: Hardware

About The Role

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 simulation 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.
• Willingly 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.

Legal and Diversity Statements

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.