Sr. Navigation Engineer

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 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 seeking a Senior Navigation Engineer to lead critical initiatives within our Navigation Software team the brain of our satellite system. In this role, you'll drive the technical direction for our core positioning and timing capabilities, mentor junior engineers, and bridge the gap between algorithm development and flight-ready implementation.

You'll own the architecture and development of key subsystems including:

• Precise Positioning: Design and optimize algorithms for centimeter-level accuracy in real-time and post-processed solutions.

• Orbit Determination: Lead development of OD pipelines, including filter tuning, maneuver handling, and multi-GNSS fusion strategies.

• Clock Estimation: Architect timing solutions that meet stringent stability requirements across the constellation.

• Atmospheric Modeling: Develop and validate ionospheric and tropospheric correction models, integrating external data sources as needed.

• Integrity Monitoring: Define fault detection and exclusion frameworks to support safety-critical applications (aviation, maritime, autonomous systems).

You'll also serve as a technical liaison with payload software and systems engineering, ensuring navigation requirements flow down correctly to flight software and hardware interfaces.

Required 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with LEO PNT or multi-constellation/multi-frequency processing.

• Background in integrity and protection level computation (ARAIM, SBAS concepts).

• Prior work on real-time navigation systems with latency and throughput constraints.

• History of mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams.

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.