Communications DSP Engineer

Xona Space Systems • Burlingame, CA

1d

About The Position

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 Communications DSP Engineer to lead end-to-end development of GEO backhaul and inter-satellite cross-link signal processing architectures. You’ll drive algorithms from simulation through FPGA-ready implementation while partnering with internal teams and external vendors to deliver flight-ready solutions.

Requirements

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in digital communications, DSP, or satellite systems.
• Strong mastery of synchronization, ranging, and spread-spectrum algorithm design.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA-based signal processing and bit-true/fixed-point modeling.
• Proficiency in Python and C/C++ for system modeling and simulation.
• Experience providing technical leadership for vendors and cross-functional system integration efforts.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GEO satellite backhaul or inter-satellite cross-links (ISLs).
• Familiarity with GNSS navigation and spread-spectrum systems.
• Knowledge of measurement integrity and validation practices.
• Experience with lab bring-up, test automation, and HIL/OTA testing.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end signal-chain system engineering for GEO backhaul and inter-satellite cross-links, including algorithm development, simulation, and measurement engineering.
• Drive the architectural transition from mathematical models into FPGA-ready, fixed-point optimized implementations.
• Serve as the technical lead for third-party vendor IPs, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with Xona requirements.
• Develop acquisition, tracking, decoding, and measurement algorithms and support FPGA design verification.
• Build high-fidelity Python/C++ simulations and analyze performance under low-SNR, high dynamics, interference, and multipath conditions.
• Define HW/SW partitioning, system interfaces, and optimize FPGA resource utilization while maintaining requirements traceability.
• Specify and validate measurement products (code phase, carrier, Doppler, C/N₀, PRs, DRs) in partnership with the Navigation team.
• Lead vendor SOWs, acceptance testing, integration, and compliance reviews.
• Document system architecture, simulations, trade studies, and verification results to support flight-ready solutions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree