Satellite Structures & Thermal Director (Burlingame)

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 hands-on technical lead to own the structures and thermal systems for our spacecraft platform. This includes the primary structure, deployables (e.g., solar panels), mounts, isolation, coatings, insulation, thermal interfaces, and hardware packaging — everything that makes the satellite stay together and survive space.

This is a core in-house function , and you’ll be the one to bring together a structurally sound, thermally managed spacecraft that meets our mission requirements and survives the extremes of launch and orbit.

From design and analysis to integration and environmental testing, you’ll take full ownership of this critical domain — working closely with payload, power, comms, and system teams to ensure seamless mechanical and thermal integration across the board.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the spacecraft structural and thermal subsystems , including design, analysis, material selection, assembly, and integration.
• Lead the design of the satellite chassis and mechanical interfaces, including accommodations for all major payload and subsystem components.
• Analyze and validate designs for mechanical loads, vibration, shock, and thermal environments — from launch through orbit.
• Define and execute thermal control strategies , including insulation, coatings, radiators, and heaters.
• Drive mechanical packaging and layout across the spacecraft to optimize for size, mass, and integration.
• Design for manufacturability and integration , ensuring test hardware can be built, tested, and flown efficiently.
• Own environmental test planning, including vibe, shock, and thermal vacuum.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, power, payload, and software teams to ensure cross-functional alignment and performance.

You Might Be a Fit If:

• You’ve designed and delivered space-qualified mechanical or thermal systems , or have built similar flight hardware.
• You have a strong background in structural and thermal modeling (FEA, thermal analysis, etc.), but are also comfortable rolling up your sleeves in the shop or lab.
• You’ve worked in fast-paced environments and know how to move quickly without compromising reliability .
• You understand how to design for launch survivability, orbital conditions, and rapid iteration.
• You’re hands-on, systems-minded, and ready to lead by example.

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 LEO-class spacecraft structures , deployables, or modular bus designs
• Familiarity with thermal management in space environments , including TVAC test experience
• Knowledge of radiation effects on materials and components
• You’ve taken hardware from design through integration, test, and launch — and are ready to do it again