Sr. RF Antenna Engineer

RF Antenna Engineer

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 RF Antenna Engineer at Xona, you'll be designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing RF antennas 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.
• Deep understanding of system-level RF architectures, including leading trades between analog, digital, and hybrid beamforming approaches to meet platform constraints (SWaP, thermal, etc.).
• Knowledge of typical performance metrics for RF communications systems.
• Hands-on experience with antenna design and testing. Familiarity with using 3D EM simulations tools such as Ansys HFSS to optimize array performance, scan volume, and impedance matching
• RF Design experience in L-Band, S-Band and C-Band
• Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools, such as Keysight ADS
• 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

• 5 - 8 years of RF engineering experience
• Experience with space RF electronics, with an understanding of phenomena such as multipaction and PIM
• Knowledge/experience with GNSS systems.
• Track record of taking a complex antenna system from initial concept through to production and successful deployment, ideally for space applications.
• Experience with the design and development of associated hardware, such as feed networks, polarizers, or waveguides.
• Familiarity with RFIC/MMIC technologies design considerations.
• Knowledge of array calibration techniques and algorithms.
• Location: This position is onsite in Burlingame, CA. You'll work closely with the payload and satellite teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

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.