Communications / DSP Engineer

About the role

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.

Own end-to-end signal-chain system engineering for GEO backhaul and inter-satellite cross-links. This includes algorithm development, simulation, measurement engineering, and driving the architectural transition into FPGA-ready solutions. You will serve as the technical lead for third-party vendor IPs, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with Xona requirements.

What You'll Do

• Algorithm & Hardware Evolution: Develop acquisition, tracking, data decoding, and measurement algorithms; collaborate across the team to drive the architectural transition from mathematical models to fixed-point, optimized FPGA designs and verifications.
• High-Fidelity Simulation: Build Python/C++ simulations and analyze performance under low-SNR, high dynamics, interference, and multipath.
• Integrated Architecture: Define HW/SW partitioning and system interfaces; optimize for FPGA resource utilization and timing constraints while ensuring requirements traceability.
• Measurement Product Definition: Specify measurement products (code phase, carrier, Doppler, C/N, PRs, DRs) and validate with Navigation team.
• Vendor & Lifecycle Management: Lead vendor SOWs, acceptance tests, integration, and compliance reviews. Document system architecture, simulations, trade studies, and verification results.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in EE, CE, or related field; 7+ years’ experience in digital communications, DSP, or satellite systems.
• Strong mastery of synchronization, ranging, and spread-spectrum algorithm design.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA-based signal processing and bit-true/fixed-point modeling.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++ for system modeling.
• Prior experience in vendor technical leadership and cross-functional system integration.

Preferred Qualifications

• GEO satellite backhaul or inter-satellite cross-link (ISL) experience.
• Familiarity with GNSS navigation and spread-spectrum systems
• Knowledge of measurement integrity; experience with lab bring-up, test automation, and HIL/OTA testing.
• Experience in ARM-based MPSoC systems (Cortex-A/R), with experience developing Embedded Linux (PetaLinux/Yocto) and device drivers specifically for Zynq UltraScale+ environments.

Key Competencies

• Systems thinking with requirements and verification rigor.
• Technical leadership across internal teams and external vendors.
• Clear technical communication and documentation.
• Pragmatic, verification-driven approach for flight-ready solutions.

Additional information

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.