Senior GNSS Navigation Architect

Xona Space Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space Systems in Burlingame, CA seeks a Senior Navigation Engineer to lead the Navigation Software team and shape the navigation stack for Pulsar. You will own architecture for precise positioning, orbit determination, clock estimation, atmospheric corrections, and integrity monitoring, collaborating with payload software and systems engineering to ensure flight-ready implementations.

You will mentor engineers, translate algorithms into robust code, and deliver real-time, safety-critical

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead critical initiatives within the Navigation Software team, driving technical direction.
• Own architecture and development of subsystems: precise positioning, orbit determination, clock estimation, atmospheric modeling, and integrity monitoring.
• Mentor junior engineers and bridge algorithm development with flight software and hardware interfaces.
• Collaborate as a technical liaison with payload software and systems engineering to ensure correct navigation requirements flow down.

Skills

Kalman filtering

Multi-GNSS processing

Python programming

C++ programming

Algorithm development

Mentoring / leadership

Statistical estimation

Real-time systems

Flight software liaison

Education

MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Geometric/Geodetic math background

Tools

GIPSY

Bernese

RINEX

SP3

RTCM

Job description

Xona Space Systems in Burlingame, CA seeks a Senior Navigation Engineer to lead the Navigation Software team and shape the navigation stack for Pulsar. You will own architecture for precise positioning, orbit determination, clock estimation, atmospheric corrections, and integrity monitoring, collaborating with payload software and systems engineering to ensure flight-ready implementations.

You will mentor engineers, translate algorithms into robust code, and deliver real-time, safety-critical