Xona is seeking a Senior Testbed Software Engineer to join their team in Burlingame, CA. The role involves architecting and building spacecraft Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbed software from scratch, integrating flight hardware with real-time simulation and automated validation tooling.
About the Role
As a Senior Testbed Software Engineer, you will design the HIL testbed architecture, integrate flight hardware with simulation and automated tests, build interface layers for avionics, implement the FSW simulation layer, design fault injection and scenario orchestration, develop telemetry tools, characterize system timing, and automate regression testing while integrating HIL into CI/CD.
About You
Required:
4+ years building or owning production-quality HIL, SIL, or integrated test environments.
Deep experience connecting real hardware to simulation (robotics, autonomy, automotive HIL, avionics, or embedded systems).
Hands-on expertise with embedded buses and lab instrumentation (RS-422/485, Ethernet, I2C/SPI, GPIO, DAQ).
Track record debugging across hardware, firmware, and software boundaries.
Strong documentation and cross-functional communication skills.
Preferred:
Mission-critical or safety-critical systems experience.
Hardware test environments integrated into CI/CD.
Operations rehearsals, telemetry analysis, or anomaly investigations.
Python, C/C++, or Rust development experience.
Knowledge of aerospace communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, RS-422/485).
Space experience is not required; backgrounds in robotics, autonomy, automotive HIL, aerospace, defense, and other mission/safety-critical systems are welcome.
Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Equity and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, 401(k), and generous time off.
Xona Space Systems
Xona is building the most accurate and secure positioning, navigation, and timing system on Earth.
Company Size: 51-200 employeesSpace Research and Technology