Sr. RF Engineer

Xona Space; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Sr. RF Engineer to design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems for our GNSS-inspired PNT services.

You will cover everything from spacecraft payload electronics to ground monitoring systems, ensuring an end-to-end RF broadcast system that meets high precision requirements. Ideal candidates will have hands‑on RF test experience, antenna design skills, and deep knowledge of L‑Band, S‑Band, and C‑Band designs, with familiarity with HFSS and RF

Qualifications

• Understanding of electromagnetic principles behind RF communications.
• Able to read PCBA schematics and layout drawings; familiarity with Altium.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers).
• Knowledge of RF performance metrics for communications systems.
• Experience with antenna design/testing; familiarity with HFSS or similar 3D EM tools.
• RF amplifier and circuit tuning; RF design in L-Band, S-Band, and C-Band.
• Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools (Keysight ADS, AWR MWO).
• Hands-on RF test setups and data interpretation; assess performance vs design.
• Willingness to travel for off-site testing as needed.
• Self-starter, detail-oriented; strong cross-team collaboration and communication.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems for the next‑gen GNSS system.
• Work from spacecraft payload electronics to ground monitoring systems to ensure end‑to‑end RF broadcast accuracy.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to meet project goals.

Skills

RF engineering

Electromagnetic principles

PCB interpretation

RF test equipment handling

Antenna design/testing

L-Band S-Band C-Band RF design

RF circuit simulation

Test data analysis

Travel for off-site testing

Cross-team collaboration

Communication skills

Tools

Altium

Keysight ADS

AWR Microwave Office

Ansys HFSS

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.

As an Sr. 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 simulations 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.
• Willing 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 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.

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.