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.
