RF Test Engineer

About the role

Xona is building the next generation of satellite navigation - a high-performance, resilient alternative to GPS powered by a commercial constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. We are on a mission to unlock a new era of autonomy, advanced mobility, and infrastructure resilience by delivering precise, secure, and robust positioning services to the world.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and execute test plans for a wide range of RF systems, including payload transmit/receive chains, telemetry/command links, GNSS receivers, and interconnects across the satellite bus
• Build and maintain RF test setups using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and custom fixtures
• Develop automated test scripts and data capture tools to accelerate and standardize test workflows
• Perform detailed analysis of RF test data to validate system performance and characterize margins
• Troubleshoot RF anomalies at the board, subsystem, and system level
• Support environmental testing (e.g., thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC) with RF test instrumentation and monitoring
• Work closely with subsystem teams to ensure test coverage aligns with mission requirements
• Contribute to the definition of test requirements and verification matrices across the full satellite development lifecycle

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in RF testing, preferably in aerospace, defense, or telecommunications
• Deep familiarity with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, etc.)
• Strong foundation in RF fundamentals, including link budgets, S-parameters, gain/loss calculations, and impedance matching
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python for test automation and data analysis
• Comfort working in lab environments and around flight hardware
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines

Desired Qualifications

• Experience testing RF systems in space environments (TVAC, EMI/EMC, vibration, etc.)
• Familiarity with satellite communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, DVB-S2, S-band, C-band, L-Band)
• Understanding of digital signal processing and RF impairments
• Experience with GNSS systems and signal acquisition
• Familiarity with configuration control and documentation practices in a hardware development environment