Navigation Algorithms Engineer

Xona Space Systems, Inc

$90K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Strong background in statistics and estimation theory (e.g., least squares, Kalman filtering).
  • Proficient in programming with C++ and Python.
  • Experience in navigation, estimation, or signal processing through internships, academic research, or projects.

Responsibilities

  • Develop tools to monitor the Pulsar constellation's health, availability, and performance in real time.
  • Collaborate on and validate Precise Point Positioning (PPP) algorithms and other estimation pipelines.
  • Engage with senior navigation engineers to review results and troubleshoot algorithm performance.
  • Gradually take ownership of navigation subsystems and contribute to their improvement.

Benefits

  • Mentorship from experienced navigation engineers to facilitate professional growth.
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge navigation algorithms.
  • Opportunity to contribute to real-world satellite systems.
  • Work in an innovative environment focused on navigating complex technical challenges.
Full Job Description
Overview

We're looking for a Navigation Algorithms Engineer to join our Ground Software team.

This is a hands-on algorithm role: you'll build tools that keep an eye on constellation health and work on the core estimation pipelines, including Precise Point Positioning (PPP), that make centimeter-level accuracy possible. You'll work alongside senior navigation engineers who will mentor you as you grow from prototype-level contributions toward owning pieces of the pipeline outright.

This role is a great fit for someone with a solid foundation in statistics and estimation who wants to apply it to real satellite navigation systems.

Key Responsibilities
  • Constellation Monitoring: Develop tools to monitor the health, availability, and performance of the Pulsar constellation and GNSS signals in real time.
  • Estimation Pipelines: Collaborate on and help validate Precise Point Positioning (PPP) algorithms and other estimation pipelines across the navigation stack.
  • Collaboration & Growth: Work closely with senior navigation engineers to review results, troubleshoot algorithm performance, and build toward greater ownership of navigation subsystems over time.

Required Qualifications
  • MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Solid foundation in statistics and estimation theory (e.g., least squares, Kalman filtering) from coursework, research, or project experience.
  • Familiarity programming in both C++ and Python.
  • Internship, academic research, or project-based experience with navigation, estimation, or signal processing is welcomed in place of industry experience.

Desired Qualifications
  • Prior exposure to PPP algorithms or implementations.
  • Familiarity with GNSS receiver internal mechanics or the GNSS signal processing chain.
  • Familiarity with GNSS data formats (RINEX, SP3, RTCM).
  • Familiarity with orbital mechanics, reference frames, and time 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.

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