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GNC Hardware Test Engineer

Xona· Engineering
Apply on company site
Burlingame, California$130k - $150kFull-timePosted 1w ago

About the role

GNC Hardware Test Engineer to build, integrate, and validate sensor and test hardware for spacecraft GNC systems. Hands-on lab role spanning sensors, embedded hardware, test software, and rapid prototyping.

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain test jigs to evaluate GNC sensor performance.
  • Integrate and test sensors such as IMUs, magnetometers, GNSS receivers, sun sensors, Earth horizon sensors, and star trackers.
  • Develop and debug sensor communication over interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN.
  • Support hardware-in-the-loop test setups for GNC software, sensors, actuators, and flight-like interfaces.
  • Use platforms such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Pixhawk, or similar embedded systems for prototyping and test automation.
  • Design simple fixtures, mounts, and test equipment using 3D printing and rapid prototyping methods.
  • Write scripts and test tools in Python, MATLAB, and C++.
  • Work with GNC, avionics, software, and systems engineers to troubleshoot issues and validate hardware performance.

Qualifications

  • Hands-on experience with hardware testing, sensor integration, embedded systems, robotics, aerospace projects, or similar lab-based engineering work.
  • Familiarity with navigation or attitude sensors such as IMUs, magnetometers, GNSS, sun sensors, Earth horizon sensors, or star trackers.
  • Experience with communication interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, or similar protocols.
  • Experience with Python, MATLAB, and/or C++ for test scripting, data analysis, or embedded development.
  • Ability to troubleshoot hardware/software interface issues using lab tools and structured debugging methods.
  • Strong hands-on engineering mindset and willingness to learn in a fast-paced lab environment.

Skills

Required:Hardware testingSensor integrationEmbedded systemsCommunication interfacesProgramming for test tooling
Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Xona

Next Era Navigational Intelligence | Xona

Xona is the navigation infrastructure company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

Location servicesPulsarGNSSNavigationPNTsatellites
Company profileWebsite

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