Jobs at Cowboy Space Corporation

Design and implement complex multilayer PCBs for spacecraft avionics, power, RF, and compute systems. Translate schematics into manufacturable layouts, define stackups and routing, perform SI/PI and impedance analysis, ensure thermal and mechanical integration, produce fabrication and assembly documentation, and drive DFM/DFA/DFT and PCB standards while supporting fabrication, testing, and supplier partnerships.

Own and scale hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure for spacecraft flight software and hardware. Build reusable test tooling, hardware emulation, automation, CI integration, test racks, and lab interfaces. Partner with flight software, electrical, and systems teams to define coverage, investigate failures, manage configuration and traceability, and drive root-cause analysis. Document the platform and promote it as the company-wide verification path.

Electrical engineering intern supporting the design, simulation, testing, and integration of RF, optical, electrical, spacecraft, and avionics systems. Responsibilities may include PCB layout, firmware and software development, thermal and mechanical modeling, propulsion and structural analysis, hardware troubleshooting, data analysis, CAD modeling, and technical documentation. The role requires hands-on laboratory work, test equipment use, collaboration, and strong math, physics, or engineering fundamentals.

Lead end-to-end development of precision gimbal mechanisms for laser communications payloads, including design, analysis, procurement, integration, and qualification. Define performance requirements, perform mechanism-level analysis, manage suppliers, develop test and qualification plans, and collaborate with optics, controls, and systems teams to deliver flight-qualified hardware.

Design, develop, and validate board-level RF hardware for free-space optical communications up to 50 Gbps. Own RF driver/receiver circuitry, high-speed RF/analog PCB layout, signal integrity analysis, simulation and lab characterization. Collaborate with optics, mechanical, firmware, and systems teams to integrate and flight-qualify RF/optical subsystems and support testing, troubleshooting, and documentation.

Design, develop, integrate, and qualify spacecraft battery systems from concept through flight. Responsibilities include pack/module architecture, BMS development (SOC/SOH, cell balancing, protections), cell chemistry selection, sizing and degradation modeling, thermal and safety strategies, environmental qualification and testing, manufacturing support, and on-orbit performance monitoring and failure investigation.

Lead the mechanical architecture and delivery of space-based compute hardware including chassis, PCB retention, connectors, and thermal management. Perform packaging, mass, and thermal trade studies; drive structural and thermal analyses; develop drawings, GD&T, and ICDs; define and execute environmental qualification and integration/test plans; and lead and mentor a team while collaborating with electrical, thermal, and spacecraft teams to produce flight-ready hardware.

Design, build, and qualify high-power fiber laser and amplifier systems and fiber-optic subsystems for space applications. Characterize lasers (linewidth, phase noise, RIN), model nonlinear effects, perform fiber splicing and assembly, design coherent receivers, and execute optical test plans and documentation for space qualification.

Lead design of high-voltage, high-power DC/DC conversion and distribution systems for terrestrial and orbital GPU compute. Architect multi-stage power conversion, custom magnetic components, PCB layouts, power integrity and thermal solutions, validate prototypes to production, and mentor the power systems team while coordinating with mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers.

Design, implement, and verify FPGA/RTL for compute payloads: sensor interfaces, deterministic pixel capture, high-throughput DDR/DMA datapaths, and AXI register interfaces to embedded Linux. Drive synthesis, timing closure across Zynq/Versal/Cyclone targets, testbench-based verification and lab bring-up. Support Petalinux, driver integration, platform firmware/BMC bring-up, board integration, anomaly investigation, and CI/regression for FPGA workflows.

Lead and build Cowboy Space's export compliance program (ITAR/EAR/OFAC). Own classification, licensing, TCPs, denied-party screening, audits, training, and partner with engineering, supply chain, and leadership to enable compliant international operations.

Design, build, and maintain spacecraft and ground software including flight software, simulations, mission control, and test tooling. Integrate and debug hardware-software systems, support on-orbit operations, and contribute to system architecture and launch preparation.

Lead end-to-end system integration and validation of electro-mechanical and avionics hardware. Design and build test infrastructure, develop automated and manual procedures, run environmental and functional tests, debug electrical systems, perform failure analysis, support flight qualification and launch readiness, and collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to improve test coverage and reliability.

Design, develop, and test high-reliability, low-latency flight and mission software across embedded and ground systems. Implement C&DH, FDIR, secure communications, simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing, maintain documentation, and support CI/CD and cross-team integration for satellite operations.

Design, implement, and validate spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control algorithms. Build high-fidelity simulations and state estimators, integrate with sensors/actuators and flight software, support HIL testing, launch preparation, on-orbit operations, and flight-data analysis to improve system performance.

Design and integrate RF and hybrid RF/optical communication subsystems for space/airborne platforms. Develop SDR-based pipelines, high-speed free-space optical links, PCBA hardware, and test infrastructure. Perform system trade studies, validate end-to-end performance under real-world conditions, and collaborate with avionics, firmware, and compute teams for flight integration.

Design, build, and test software for spacecraft and ground systems across the full stack. Develop flight and real-time control software, simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing frameworks, integrate with hardware teams, support system bring-up and on-orbit operations, and create tooling for automation and mission operations in resource-constrained, high-reliability environments.

Lead mission and program execution across cross-functional teams by managing schedules, risks, resources, and milestones. Drive decision-making and problem-solving to resolve complex technical and operational issues, establish accountability, remove blockers, and ensure timely delivery of mission objectives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Lead architecture, development, and deployment of onboard compute software for satellites. Define technical vision, build a software team, design real-time distributed and fault-tolerant systems, optimize for constrained power/thermal environments, integrate with hardware/GNC/RF teams, and establish testing, HIL simulation, and in-orbit operations.

Develop and maintain embedded firmware for spacecraft subsystems, implementing low-level drivers, communication protocols, real-time control, and fault-tolerant features. Support board bring-up, hardware integration, HIL testing, automated validation tools, and cross-disciplinary debugging and anomaly investigations throughout development and on-orbit operations.