Navigation Algorithms Engineer

Xona; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Navigation Algorithms Engineer to join our Ground Software team. This hands-on role builds tools to monitor constellation health and advance core estimation pipelines, including Precise Point Positioning (PPP), enabling centimeter-level accuracy.

You should bring a solid foundation in statistics and estimation, plus experience in C++ and Python. Prior research or internships in navigation or signal processing are welcomed as you help ship early prototypes into production.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in a relevant field as listed.
• Solid foundation in statistics and estimation theory (least squares, Kalman) from coursework or research.
• Experience with C++ and Python programming.
• Internship or project-based experience in navigation, estimation, or signal processing welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Pulsar constellation health and GNSS signal performance in real time.
• Contribute to PPP algorithms and other estimation pipelines across the navigation stack.
• Collaborate with navigation engineering to ship early-stage prototypes into production pipelines.

Skills

Statistics & Estimation Theory

C++

Python

Education

MS or PhD in Aerospace Eng / Electrical Eng / Geomatics / Applied Math

Tools

GNSS data formats (RINEX, SP3, RTCM)

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 looking for a Navigation Algorithms Engineer to join our Ground Software team. This is a hands‑on algorithm role: you’ll build tools that keep an eye on constellation health and work on the core estimation pipelines, including Precise Point Positioning (PPP), that make centimeter-level accuracy possible. This role is a great fit for someone with a solid foundation in statistics and estimation who wants to apply it to real satellite navigation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Constellation Monitoring: Develop tools to monitor the health, availability, and performance of the Pulsar constellation and GNSS signals in real time.
• Estimation Pipelines: Collaborate on and help validate Precise Point Positioning (PPP) algorithms and other estimation pipelines across the navigation stack.
• Collaboration & Growth: Collaborate closely with our navigation engineering team to ship early‑stage prototypes and develop them into core pieces of our production pipeline.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• Solid foundation in statistics and estimation theory (e.g., least squares, Kalman filtering) from coursework, research, or project experience.
• Familiarity programming in both C++ and Python.
• Internship, academic research, or project‑based experience with navigation, estimation, or signal processing is welcomed in place of industry experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior exposure to PPP algorithms or implementations.
• Familiarity with GNSS receiver internal mechanics or the GNSS signal processing chain.
• Familiarity with GNSS data formats (RINEX, SP3, RTCM).
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics, reference frames, and time systems.

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.