Satellite Chief Engineer

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 Xona’s Satellite Chief Engineer, you will be the systems integrator who ensures our satellite comes together as a coherent high-performing unit. You’ll lead the translation of service and constellation needs into a technical baseline, orchestrating subsystem contributions into a balanced design that delivers real impact in space. This role sits at the heart of our engineering efforts: guiding system-level trades, driving creative thinking, and making the decisions that define how the satellite enables our Pulsar service. Responsibilities: Own the system-level technical baseline and maintain coherence across all subsystems. Translate service and constellation needs into system-level requirements and flow-downs. Lead system-level trade studies, balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk. Chair cross-discipline technical reviews and ensure subsystem designs integrate effectively. Manage system-level margins (mass, power, data rate, pointing, etc.) and arbitrate when to burn or protect them. Define and oversee the end-to-end verification and validation plan. Ensure constellation-level considerations (deployment, operations, redundancy) are captured in single-satellite design choices. Communicate technical decisions and risks clearly to executives and stakeholders. Foster a culture of transparency, rigor, and collaboration across subsystem teams. Requirements: Deep experience in spacecraft development. Demonstrated ability to lead system-level trades and integration efforts. Strong communication skills, both technical and executive-level. Preferred Qualifications: 5+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering or technical leadership roles. Direct experience leading or supporting the design and integration of a satellite through multiple lifecycle phases (e.g., concept, PDR/CDR, I&T, launch, operations). Strong grounding in multiple subsystems (payload, GNC, power, comms, thermal, structures) with depth in at least one. Experience developing and managing technical baselines, requirements flow-down, and system verification strategies. Familiarity with constellation design considerations and ground-segment integration. Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams without direct authority. 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. 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.

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