GNC Engineer

Location

Burlingame, CA

Full time

On-site

Satellite

• $120K – $160K
  • Offers Equity

The final job level and salary will be determined based on a range of factors including the candidate’s education, qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities, and relevant experience. The listed salary range is provided to offer insight into potential compensation, but it’s not a guarantee of the final offer. While we include the full range to be transparent, offers most often fall within the middle portion rather than the top.

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.

We’re seeking a GNC HIL and Test Engineer to design, develop, and validate high-fidelity simulations and control algorithms for advanced aerospace systems. This role is ideal for an engineer with strong analytical skills and hands-on experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) who thrives at the intersection of modeling, coding, and flight system development.

• Develop and maintain 6-DOF attitude and orbit simulations, including modeling of spacecraft dynamics, environmental disturbances, and sensor/actuator behavior

• Perform Monte Carlo analyses to evaluate system performance and robustness

• Design and implement control algorithms (PID, LQR, optimal controllers) and state estimators (Kalman filters)

• Conduct Monte Carlo simulations for performance validation, fault injection, and design robustness

• Conduct system identification and model validation from flight or test data

• Write, test, and optimize algorithms in MATLAB and C++

• Collaborate in a Git-based, Linux development environment alongside multidisciplinary teams

• You have deep experience with spacecraft dynamics and control, including 6
  
  DOF simulation environments

• You’ve developed and tested flight control and estimation software for real space/aerial/ground missions

• You’re comfortable building estimators like Kalman filters and validating them with data

• You’re skilled in MATLAB and C++, and experienced working in version-controlled Linux-based environments

• You have a strong understanding of system modeling, identification, and performance analysis

• You thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on engineering environment and enjoy solving hard technical problems

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Control Systems, Applied Physics, or a related field

• Experience with GNC algorithm development for LEO, GEO, or interplanetary satellite platforms

• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, rigid body dynamics, and estimation theory

• Demonstrated expertise in Monte Carlo analysis, system identification, and HIL testing

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.

Compensation Range: $120K - $160K