Staff Flight Software Engineer

Xona Space Systems • Burlingame, CA

10h

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 Staff Flight Software Engineer. You'll serve as a primary contributor to the flight software design, working to shape system interfaces and component interactions.

Requirements

• Experience: 8+ years developing C/C++ embedded software on RTOS or space-grade frameworks (cFS, F', TASTE, etc.).
• Integration & Testing: Proven track record executing full-system hardware/software validation and fault-injection test campaigns.
• Protocols & Interfaces: Deep expertise with RS-422/485, Ethernet, I2C, or similar communication buses in embedded environments.
• Real-Time Systems: Solid understanding of real-time scheduling, FDIR principles, and performance profiling under resource constraints.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal skills for cross-team collaboration and technical documentation.
• CCSDS Expertise: Hands-on experience implementing CCSDS Telemetry (TM) and Telecommand (TC) packet standards, including header/payload formats, Virtual Channel multiplexing, and CRC/error-control procedures.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with on-orbit operations, telemetry analysis, or spacecraft HIL testbeds.
• Background in aerospace or other safety-critical industries.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop & Integrate: Implement embedded flight software modules in C++ on RTOS or space-grade frameworks; carry features from concept through flight-ready validation.
• System Validation: Plan and execute comprehensive hardware/software integration tests, including fault-injection scenarios and performance benchmarking.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with hardware engineering, GNC, and operations to define interfaces, manage fault conditions, and implement mitigation workflows.
• CCSDS TT&C Integration: Develop and validate CCSDS-compliant Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) subsystems—implement frame assembly/disassembly, packetization, CRC/error-control coding, and end-to-end link workflows.
• Optimization & Reliability: Profile and tune software for CPU, memory, and I/O efficiency; contribute to FDIR logic and scheduler enhancements to maximize on-orbit reliability.
• Mentorship & Best Practices: Coach mid-level engineers through design reviews and code walks; promote coding standards, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Documentation & Tooling: Produce clear technical artifacts - ICDs, test plans, runbooks - and help build digital tools for telemetry analysis and on-orbit diagnostics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees