Alt-PNT Research Engineer

About Us:
Swan delivers the future of defense and industry through scalable autonomous products. Swan is backed by leading defense VCs including a16z's American Dynamism fund.

Role Overview:
We are seeking an Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (Alt-PNT) Research Engineer with deep expertise in GPS-denied navigation, signals of opportunity (SoOP), radio SLAM, and inertial navigation systems (INS). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in designing and developing resilient PNT solutions using diverse sensing modalities, including RF signals, vision-based navigation, and sensor fusion techniques. This role requires experience in signal processing, Bayesian filtering, multi-sensor fusion, and robust estimation methods to enable navigation in GPS-challenged or denied environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research, design, and develop alternative PNT solutions leveraging signals of opportunity (Wi-Fi, cellular, LEO satellites, GNSS backups, etc.), radio SLAM, and inertial navigation.

• Implement and optimize sensor fusion algorithms integrating IMU, LiDAR, radar, barometers, magnetometers, and RF-based positioning.

• Develop robust navigation algorithms based on Kalman filtering, factor graphs, and particle filtering for real-time applications.

• Work on radio-based navigation techniques, including time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA), frequency-difference-of-arrival (FDOA), and Doppler-based positioning.

• Design and implement signal processing techniques for extracting positioning information from RF signals, including waveform analysis and multipath mitigation.

• Conduct real-world testing and data collection campaigns to validate and refine PNT solutions.

• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in Python and C++, with experience in simulation environments such as MATLAB, GNU Radio, or SDR-based platforms.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including RF engineers, AI/ML researchers, and roboticists, to develop integrated navigation systems.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in alternative PNT, signal processing, and multi-sensor fusion.

• Expertise in GPS-denied navigation, signals of opportunity, and inertial navigation (INS).

• Strong knowledge of Kalman filters, factor graphs, and other probabilistic estimation techniques.

• Experience with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms such as Ettus USRP, HackRF, or RTL-SDR.

• Proficiency in Python, C++, and MATLAB, with experience in real-time implementation.

• Familiarity with SLAM techniques (radio SLAM, visual SLAM, LiDAR SLAM) and their integration into navigation systems.

• Understanding of low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) embedded systems for real-time PNT applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with LEO satellite navigation, Doppler-based positioning, and non-GNSS RF-based localization.

• Strong background in waveform analysis, multipath mitigation, and interference detection.

• Hands-on experience with robotic navigation systems, autonomous platforms, and UAVs.

• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System) and embedded navigation platforms.

• Experience with modern Machine Learning techniques.

What We Offer:

Swan is a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative startup environment. We offer a top-notch benefits package, including:

• Top-tier health, dental, vision, short-/long-term disability, and life insurance, with full employee coverage and partial coverage for dependents

• Flexible/reasonable vacation and sick leave

• 401(k) plans, FSA, HSA, and commuter benefits

Location: Remote (U.S.) - San Francisco strongly preferred

Swan is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, uniform service, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. Swan considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.