Software Engineer – Space Systems

Xona Space; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space Systems is seeking a Software Engineer for the Payload team to validate and integrate software powering our satellite platform. You will work across software, hardware, and integration boundaries, developing interfaces and performing end-to-end testing in simulated and hardware environments.

Responsibilities include building tooling with Python and Bash, collaborating with I&T, and documenting system architecture and workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field with 4+ years of relevant experience, or 6+ years of equivalent industry experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience developing software in Linux-based environments.
• Experience with build systems and development tooling including CMake, Bash, and Python.
• Experience deploying and validating software across multiple hardware or software targets.
• Experience with software/hardware integration testing and debugging.
• Strong understanding of software testing methodologies and system validation practices.
• Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software infrastructure supporting payload and spacecraft system integration.
• Design, implement, and validate communication interfaces between payload systems, embedded software, and spacecraft hardware.
• Execute full-system software and hardware integration testing across simulated and hardware-integrated environments.
• Build tooling and automation frameworks using Python and Bash to improve testing reliability and operational efficiency.
• Support deployment and validation workflows across multiple software and hardware targets.
• Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and Integration & Test (I&T) teams to diagnose and resolve complex system-level issues.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for operational workflows, interface behavior, and system architecture.
• Improve software reliability, observability, and test coverage across mission-critical systems.

Skills

C++ programming

Linux development

Debugging

System validation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

CMake

Bash

Python

GitLab CI/CD

QEMU

Yocto

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

GNSS (GPS) supports hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity annually, powering everything from consumer applications to transportation and critical infrastructure. As industries move toward autonomy, the demand for resilient, secure, and high-accuracy Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems continues to grow beyond what traditional GNSS can provide.

At Xona Space Systems, we are building a next-generation commercial satellite network designed to deliver secure and reliable high‑precision navigation and timing services at global scale. Leveraging advancements in satellite technology, software infrastructure, and modern aerospace development practices, our mission is to build the first truly independent high‑accuracy alternative to legacy GNSS systems.

As a Software Engineer on the Payload team, you will play a critical role in validating and integrating the software systems powering our satellite platform. You will work across software, hardware, and integration boundaries to ensure reliable communication between payload systems, embedded software, and the satellite bus. This role is highly collaborative and hands‑on, involving system‑level testing, automation, interface development, and operational reliability across both simulated and hardware‑integrated environments.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and maintain software infrastructure supporting payload and spacecraft system integration.
• Design, implement, and validate communication interfaces between payload systems, embedded software, and spacecraft hardware.
• Execute full‑system software and hardware integration testing across simulated and hardware‑integrated environments.
• Build tooling and automation frameworks using Python and Bash to improve testing reliability and operational efficiency.
• Support deployment and validation workflows across multiple software and hardware targets.
• Collaborate closely with software, hardware, and Integration & Test (I&T) teams to diagnose and resolve complex system‑level issues.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for operational workflows, interface behavior, and system architecture.
• Improve software reliability, observability, and test coverage across mission‑critical systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field with 4+ years of relevant experience, or 6+ years of equivalent industry experience.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience developing software in Linux‑based environments.
• Experience with build systems and development tooling including CMake, Bash, and Python.
• Experience deploying and validating software across multiple hardware or software targets.
• Experience with software/hardware integration testing and debugging.
• Strong understanding of software testing methodologies and system validation practices.
• Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration abilities.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Embedded Linux systems.
• Experience with hardware emulation and virtualization technologies such as QEMU.
• Familiarity with Yocto and embedded Linux build systems.
• Experience with GitLab CI/CD workflows and automated test infrastructure.
• Background in aerospace, satellite systems, robotics, automotive, or other high‑reliability environments.
• Familiarity with network protocols and distributed systems.
• Experience building automation, QA, or operational tooling for complex 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.