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Xona · 4 months ago

Staff Flight Software Engineer

Burlingame, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

Xona Space Systems is a navigational intelligence company focused on providing real-time, centimeter-level certainty globally. They are seeking a Staff Flight Software Engineer to contribute to the flight software design, focusing on system interfaces and component interactions.

AerospaceGPSInformation ServicesNavigationSatellite CommunicationSoftware

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

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

Qualification

C/C++ embedded softwareRTOSSpace-grade frameworksCCSDS TelemetryTelecommandReal-Time SystemsIntegration & TestingProtocols & InterfacesAnalytical SkillsTechnical DocumentationCross-Functional CollaborationMentorship

Required

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