Satellite Power System Lead

Description

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. 

We’re not here to incrementally improve GNSS. We’re here to redefine it from the ground up. 

We’re looking for a technical owner to lead development of the satellite power system. This includes everything from solar panels and battery systems to power distribution and control. You’ll lead architecture, design, and delivery of flight-ready hardware, working hands-on with a team that moves fast and takes ownership from concept through orbit. This is your chance to build a full power system, shape a spacecraft platform, and help launch a navigation constellation from scratch.  

What You’ll Do: 

• Own the full spacecraft power system — architecture, design, integration, and test — including solar arrays, batteries, charge control, and power distribution. 
• Develop flight hardware that meets mission and environmental requirements across all lifecycle phases. 
• Define and execute the power system development roadmap, including make/buy decisions and long-term evolution strategy. 
• Collaborate across payload, system architecture, thermal, mechanical, and operations teams to ensure power system alignment and integration. 
• Drive component selection, prototyping, testing, and iteration, leveraging internal tools and external partners as needed. 
• Evaluate and manage external vendors while maintaining internal technical authority. 
• Design for scalability, manufacturing, and reliability — keeping performance and delivery top of mind. 
• Mentor and grow the team as needs evolve — with the opportunity to build around you. 

You Might Be a Fit If: 

• You’ve led or been a key contributor to spacecraft, aerospace, or automotive power systems, including battery and solar systems. 
• You have deep technical experience with power electronics, battery management, solar array design, and PDUs. 
• You’ve built and tested real hardware — and are equally comfortable at the whiteboard, in CAD, and on the bench. 
• You understand the tradeoffs of space hardware design and know how to move quickly without compromising reliability. 
• You’re hands-on, resourceful, and energized by solving hard problems with a small, high-performing team. 

Requirements

•  Full-time, onsite in Burlingame, California (this role is not remote or hybrid) 
• 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) 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with space-qualified power systems or radiation-tolerant design 
• Familiarity with low-orbit satellite operations and power constraints in dynamic environments 
• Background in thermal, mechanical, or software integration of power systems