RF Engineer

Posted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Burlingame, CA, USA
In-Office
160K-180K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence
Launching the next-generation of location infrastructure.
The Role
Designs, implements, tests, and optimizes RF systems for satellite navigation infrastructure. Responsibilities include RF circuit and PCB design, test setup development and calibration, RF performance analysis, subsystem testing, and support for spacecraft payload and ground monitoring systems. The role requires experience across L-, S-, and C-band systems, RF simulation, test equipment, space RF electronics, and multipaction. Occasional travel may support off-site testing events.
Summary Generated by Built In

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 Engineer at Xona, you’ll design, implement, test, and optimize RF systems that enable our next-generation satellite navigation system. From spacecraft payload electronics to ground monitoring systems, your work will help ensure our end-to-end RF broadcast system delivers Xona’s high-accuracy, high-precision positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service.

Required Qualifications
  • 2–4 years of RF engineering experience.

  • Understanding of electromagnetic principles underlying RF communications and common RF system performance metrics.

  • Ability to interpret PCB schematics and layout drawings, with familiarity using PCB design tools such as Altium.

  • Hands-on experience using electrical and RF test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.

  • RF design experience in L-band, S-band, and C-band.

  • Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools such as Keysight ADS or AWR Microwave Office.

  • Hands-on experience developing and calibrating RF test setups.

  • Ability to analyze RF test data and assess performance against design requirements.

  • Experience with space RF electronics, including an understanding of phenomena such as multipaction.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering teams.

  • Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

  • Willingness and ability to travel to support off-site testing events as needed.

  • A proactive approach to moving projects from design through implementation.

  • Knowledge of or experience with GNSS systems.

  • Hands-on experience or coursework in antenna design or testing.

  • Familiarity with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools such as Ansys HFSS.

  • Experience tuning RF amplifiers and circuits.

  • A track record of RF PCB or antenna designs that have been built and tested.

  • Experience implementing passive or active RF subsystems on the bench or on PCBs.

 

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.

Skills Required

  • 2-4 years of RF engineering experience
  • Understanding of electromagnetic principles underlying RF communications and common RF system performance metrics
  • Ability to interpret PCB schematics and layout drawings
  • Familiarity with PCB design tools such as Altium
  • Hands-on experience using multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers
  • RF design experience in L-band, S-band, and C-band
  • Familiarity with RF circuit simulation tools such as Keysight ADS or AWR Microwave Office
  • Hands-on experience developing and calibrating RF test setups
  • Ability to analyze RF test data and assess performance against design requirements
  • Experience with space RF electronics, including understanding of multipaction
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering teams
  • Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to multidisciplinary teams and external partners
  • Willingness and ability to travel for off-site testing events
  • Knowledge of or experience with GNSS systems
  • Hands-on experience or coursework in antenna design or testing
  • Familiarity with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools such as Ansys HFSS
  • Experience tuning RF amplifiers and circuits
  • Track record of RF PCB or antenna designs that have been built and tested
  • Experience implementing passive or active RF subsystems on benches or PCBs
  • For U.S. roles, must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)
  • For U.K. roles, must pass BPSS checks and be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC)
  • For Canada roles, must obtain and hold reliability-status security clearance and pass Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR assessments
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: San Mateo, CA
83 Employees
Year Founded: 2019

What We Do

Xona is developing the most accurate and secure real-time PNT service on the planet.

Similar Jobs

HRL Laboratories Logo HRL Laboratories

Mechanical Engineer: RF Subsystems

Artificial Intelligence • Hardware • Software • Nanotechnology • Semiconductor • Quantum Computing • Defense
Hybrid
Calabasas, CA, USA
850 Employees
128K-160K Annually

The Aerospace Corporation Logo The Aerospace Corporation

Wireless/RF Engineer II

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
San Jose, CA, USA
4600 Employees
107K-134K Annually

The Aerospace Corporation Logo The Aerospace Corporation

Project Engineer

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
San Diego, CA, USA
4600 Employees
156K-195K Annually

The Aerospace Corporation Logo The Aerospace Corporation

Lead RF Wireless Engineer

Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Hybrid
San Jose, CA, USA
4600 Employees
158K-199K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Revel Thumbnail
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software
Marina Del Rey, California
70 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software
New York, New York
33 Employees
Vega Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Automotive • Insurance • Transportation
US
65 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account