RF Engineer
About The Position
Xona is a navigational intelligence company developing Pulsar, a satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit designed to provide precise, reliable global positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). The RF Engineer will design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems supporting this next-generation satellite navigation system. The work spans spacecraft payload electronics and ground monitoring systems, helping ensure the end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers Xona’s high-accuracy positioning, navigation, and timing service. Applicants for U.S. roles must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations. U.K. roles require BPSS checks and eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC). Candidates for Canada roles must obtain and hold reliability-status security clearance and pass security assessments for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR. Xona celebrates diversity and is committed to an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Requirements
- 2–4 years of RF engineering experience.
- Understanding of electromagnetic principles underlying RF communications and common RF system performance metrics.
- Ability to interpret PCB schematics and layout drawings; familiarity with PCB design tools such as Altium.
- Hands-on experience with electrical and RF test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.
- 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 developing and calibrating RF test setups.
- Ability to analyze RF test data and assess performance against design requirements.
- Experience with space RF electronics, including understanding phenomena such as multipaction.
- For U.S. roles, eligibility under U.S. Government space technology export regulations: U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or other protected individual status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
- For U.K. roles, ability to undergo BPSS checks and eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).
- For Canada roles, ability to obtain and hold reliability-status security clearance and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR.
Nice To Haves
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to collaborate effectively across engineering teams.
- Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- Willingness and ability to travel to support off-site testing events as needed.
- Proactive approach to moving projects from design through implementation.
- Knowledge of or experience with GNSS systems.
- Hands-on experience or coursework in antenna design or testing.
- Familiarity with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools such as Ansys HFSS.
- Experience tuning RF amplifiers and circuits.
- Track record of RF PCB or antenna designs that have been built and tested.
- Experience implementing passive or active RF subsystems on the bench or on PCBs.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems for Xona’s satellite navigation system.
- Support RF systems spanning spacecraft payload electronics and ground monitoring systems.
- Help ensure the end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers Xona’s high-accuracy, high-precision PNT service.
- Develop and calibrate RF test setups, analyze test data, and assess performance against design requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
