Xona · 1 month ago
GNC Engineer
Burlingame, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid LevelXona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth. They are seeking a GNC Engineer to lead the development and integration of flight software that enables autonomous operation of spacecraft, working closely with GNC engineers to support missions from simulation through on-orbit or in-flight operation.
AerospaceGPSInformation ServicesNavigationSatellite CommunicationSoftware
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Develop and integrate GNC algorithms using model-based development processes
Implement state machines and FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) logic for robust autonomous operations
Build and maintain GNC software interfaces within the flight software architecture
Design, implement, and maintain software- and hardware-in-the-loop (SIL/HIL) test campaigns to validate GNC performance and reliability
Develop unit tests and regression tests to ensure software reliability
Collaborate across simulation, hardware, and embedded software teams to support end-to-end GNC system validation
Qualification
Required
Develop and integrate GNC algorithms using model-based development processes
Implement state machines and FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) logic for robust autonomous operations
Build and maintain GNC software interfaces within the flight software architecture
Design, implement, and maintain software- and hardware-in-the-loop (SIL/HIL) test campaigns to validate GNC performance and reliability
Develop unit tests and regression tests to ensure software reliability
Collaborate across simulation, hardware, and embedded software teams to support end-to-end GNC system validation
You have deployed estimators and controllers on spacecraft, UAVs, or autonomous systems
You understand flight software design and integration for GNC applications
You have experience with state machines and fault management logic in flight-critical systems
You are detail-oriented in testing and validation
You work effectively in Git and Linux-based development environments
You are motivated by building robust and autonomous flight systems
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
Preferred
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering
Expertise in Python, C++, and MATLAB
Hands-on experience with SIL/HIL environments
Familiarity with model-based development and autocoding workflows (e.g., Simulink + Embedded Coder)
Experience developing test infrastructure for mission-critical systems
Company
Xona
Xona is launching a LEO satellite network bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth..
Founded in 2019
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$151.42MKey Investors
Craft VenturesSpaceWERXFirst Spark Ventures
2025-06-26Series B· $92M
2025-06-26Grant· $20M
2024-05-08Series A· $19M
Leadership Team
Brian Manning
Co-Founder & CEO
Bryan Chan
Co-Founder, VP Corporate Strategy
Recent News
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