Senior Platform Firmware Engineer
Location
San Carlos, California
Address
San Carlos, California
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Chief Engineering & Reliability
Overview
Application
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
The Role
This role sits at the boundary between hardware and software. You will work across platform firmware, FPGA logic, board bring-up, system management, and autonomous recovery systems to ensure reliable operation from first power-on through orbital deployment.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain platform firmware and board management infrastructure for advanced compute systems.
Own system bring-up and low-level boot sequencing for custom hardware platforms.
Design and implement FPGA/CPLD logic for power sequencing, reset orchestration, watchdog functionality, and telemetry.
Develop and customize BMC firmware and management stacks using OpenBMC and related technologies.
Implement and maintain platform management interfaces including Redfish and/or IPMI.
Debug complex hardware/firmware interactions across CPUs, GPUs, PCIe fabrics, and networking devices.
Collaborate closely with hardware, validation, thermal, and systems teams during bring-up and deployment.
Develop fault recovery and autonomous reboot for remote orbital systems.
Support secure boot, firmware update, and system attestation architectures.
Qualifications
Hands-on experience in embedded systems, platform firmware, BMC development, or hardware bring-up engineering.
Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python.
Deep understanding of platform initialization and boot architectures.
Strong familiarity with hardware communication interfaces including I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, and JTAG.
Experience debugging hardware/software interactions at board and system level.
Familiarity with FPGA or CPLD development workflows using Xilinx or Altera platforms.
Strong systems-level debugging and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with server platforms, AI infrastructure, or high-performance compute systems.
Familiarity with PCIe initialization and accelerator bring-up.
Experience with remote management and fleet-scale telemetry systems.
Knowledge of secure boot, attestation, and firmware security architectures.
Familiarity with radiation-tolerant or fault-resilient system design.
Why This Role Is Different
Own critical hardware systems, not just a small component
Fast iteration cycles with direct path from design to hardware testing
Work closely across disciplines in a tightly integrated team
High autonomy and ownership with real impact on the spacecraft
Opportunity to help define hardware systems for a new class of space infrastructure
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $170,000 – $235,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Engineering
86 days ago
Senior Compute Validation Engineer
Cowboy Space Corporation · San Carlos, California, United States
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
The Role
This role is highly hands-on. You will own validation strategy and work across electrical, firmware, thermal, mechanical, and system software teams to uncover and resolve failure modes during launch and after orbital deployment.
Responsibilities
Lead board bring-up and system validation for advanced edge compute platforms.
Develop validation methodologies covering signal integrity, power integrity, power sequencing, thermal behavior, and system reliability.
Debug complex hardware and firmware interactions across High-speed interconnects (PCIe, Nvidia NVLink, AMD XGMI), memory subsystems, BMC/SMC and HMC architectures.
Perform detailed board analysis using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and power instrumentation.
Drive root-cause analysis for system failures discovered during validation and environmental testing.
Design and validate interfaces using protocols such as I2C, SPI, and UART.
Partner closely with mechanical, thermal, firmware, and software teams to ensure robust system integration.
Help define engineering standards and validation processes for flight-ready compute hardware.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
Experience in board design review, system validation, or compute hardware engineering.
5+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware system
Strong background in server, accelerated compute, or embedded compute platforms.
Deep understanding of motherboard architecture, high-speed signaling, power delivery systems, and system management infrastructure.
Extensive hands-on debugging experience at board and system level.
Proficiency with lab equipment including oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
Experience with scripting or automation in Python, C/C++, or similar languages.
Strong ownership mentality and ability to independently drive technical problems to resolution.
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications
8+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware system
Experience with remote management technologies such as Redfish or IPMI.
Experience with spacecraft avionics, power systems, and thermal systems
Experience with environmental testing (vibe, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)
Radiation testing for LEO avionics background
Track record of ownership and leadership
Why this Role is Different
Own critical hardware systems, not just a small component
Fast iteration cycles with direct path from design to hardware testing
Work closely across disciplines in a tightly integrated team
High autonomy and ownership with real impact on the spacecraft
Opportunity to help define hardware systems for a new class of space infrastructure
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Fluids Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
You will own the design and development of fluid system hardware for the vehicle’s propulsion, fluids, and/or thermal management architectures. This includes valves, regulators, fluid storage systems (tanks and pressure vessels), fluid routing (tubing, fittings, brackets, and manifolds), and integrated fluid subsystems. You will work across the full lifecycle—from concept and analysis through build, test, and flight—to deliver hardware that meets performance, mass, and reliability requirements in demanding launch and space environments.
Responsibilities:
Design valves (flow control, isolation, regulation, check, and relief) for propellant, pressurant, and thermal fluid systems used on propulsion and launch vehicle systems.
Develop fluid storage hardware including propellant tanks, pressure vessels, and accumulators from concept through qualification.
Design fluid routing architecture: tubing runs, manifolds, fittings, flex lines, and quick-disconnects for vehicle integration.
Own fluid subsystem layout and integration, ensuring compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and pneumatic systems.
Perform hydraulic and pneumatic analysis (pressure drop, flow distribution, water hammer, thermal transients) to size components and verify system performance.
Perform structural analysis (FEA, hand calcs) and validate with test and flight data.
Select materials compatible with propellants, pressures, and operating environments (cryogenic, high-pressure, corrosive).
Generate detailed component and assembly drawings, specifications, and interface control documents.
Support and execute component-level and system-level test campaigns (proof, burst, flow, leak, cycle life).
Work directly with manufacturing and technicians to resolve build issues, improve producibility, and support rapid iteration.
Support vehicle integration, fill/drain operations, and ground system interfaces.
Contribute to anomaly investigation, post-flight inspection, and design improvements for reuse and reliability.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering field.
3+ years of experience designing fluid system hardware (valves, regulators, tanks, tubing, or fittings) for flight or high-performance applications.
Experience with fluid system analysis: pressure drop, flow sizing, structural analysis of pressure vessels, or thermal-fluid modeling.
Hands-on experience taking hardware from design through build and test.
Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) for detailed part and assembly design.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion fluid systems.
Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling, storage, and insulation systems.
Experience designing or qualifying valves (solenoid, pneumatic, or mechanically actuated).
Knowledge of material compatibility with common propellants (LOX, methane, hydrazine, NTO) and pressurants (helium, nitrogen).
Experience with additive manufacturing or advanced fabrication methods for fluid components.
Familiarity with relevant industry standards (AIAA, SAE, MIL-spec, ASME pressure vessel codes).
Experience supporting propulsion hot-fire testing or vehicle fill/drain operations.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $150,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Injector Design and Development Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
We are looking for an Injector Design and Development Engineer to own rocket engine injectors end to end—design, analysis, development, and validation. These injectors power the engines behind our own rockets and satellites, and they need to go from concept to hotfire fast. You will pair first-principles analytical design with hands-on manufacturing and test to drive rapid design/build/test cycles. The ideal candidate blends sharp analytical instincts with a builder’s mindset and a relentless focus on turning analysis into flight-ready hardware. This position is onsite in the greater Seattle, WA area.
Responsibilities:
Own injector hardware end to end, from first-principles sizing through flight operation.
Perform physics-based architecture trades within a given engine cycle and required performance, leading to design & analysis of Thrust Chamber Assembly piece parts
Select manufacturing methods and lead the build, iterating on the design across the full lifecycle
Plan and execute test campaigns, from component tests through full-engine hotfire
Analyze hotfire data and lead component redesigns to meet mission requirements
Partner with vehicle and test-stand engineers to keep the engine compatible with operational needs
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
Strong command of first-principles thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics.
5+ years in mechanical design for manufacturing and rapid prototyping
Hands-on ownership of the rocket engine injector lifecycle
Preferred Qualifications:
Multiple cradle-to-grave cycles owning rocket engine injectors and/or TCA components
Analysis experience with Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, and/or Thermal Desktop
Experience using first principles to perform fluid system sizing, injector performance optimization (c*), and mitigation combustion stability concerns
Design for additive manufacturing, machining, and weld/braze processes
Experience planning, running, and analyzing rocket engine hotfire tests
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $130,000 – $180,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Senior Loads and Dynamics Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
Serve as the technical authority for the loads and dynamic environments that define what the vehicle must survive. You'll own the load cases and dynamic models that drive structural sizing across ascent, stage separation, entry, landing, and reuse. As a senior individual contributor, you'll set the methodology, make the judgment calls on where to add fidelity and where to move fast, and raise the bar for the discipline by mentoring engineers and driving decisions across teams: ensuring the vehicle is neither over-built nor under-designed for the environments it actually sees.
Responsibilities
Own the vehicle loads as the discipline lead: quasi-static, transient, and dynamic load cases across ground handling, ascent, separation, entry, landing, and reuse.
Establish the methods, tools, and standards the loads and dynamics discipline works to.
Build and maintain structural dynamic models (FEM, modal, coupled loads) and reconcile them with test and flight data.
Define vibration, shock, acoustic, and random-vibe environments for components, mechanisms, and payloads.
Perform coupled loads analysis (CLA) and integrate propulsion, aero, GNC, and structural inputs into a consistent load set.
Deliver clear, timely load sets and interface requirements to structures, mechanisms, and propulsion teams.
Assess flutter, buffet, slosh, and other aeroelastic/coupled dynamic phenomena.
Support test planning and correlation—modal surveys, static and dynamic test campaigns—and update models from results.
Investigate anomalies and reconstruct flight loads from telemetry to improve future load predictions.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across the structures and mechanisms teams.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
8+ years of experience in loads, structural dynamics, or vibration analysis for flight hardware or high-performance systems.
Deep proficiency with finite element modeling and dynamic analysis (modal, transient, frequency response).
Demonstrated ownership of load cases and environments that drove the structural design of a flight vehicle or major system.
Proven ability to correlate models against test or flight data and adjust methodology accordingly.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
Experience with launch vehicles or reusable flight systems.
Hands-on experience owning coupled loads analysis (CLA) campaigns.
Familiarity with aeroelasticity (flutter, buffet) and coupled phenomena.
Experience defining and correlating vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.
Proficiency with tools such as Adams, LS-DYNA, or equivalent, plus scripting (Python/MATLAB) for load-set processing and automation.
Experience supporting structural test campaigns and modal surveys.
Track record of mentoring engineers and setting technical direction without formal authority.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $160,000 – $220,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Flight Termination System Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
Serve as the technical authority for the flight safety system that determines when and how our launch vehicle terminates flight. You'll own the Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) end to end: the Range and FAA relationship, the flight safety analysis, the safety-critical avionics architecture, and the qualification and certification campaign. AFTS is one of the longest-lead, highest-consequence items on our path to first flight. You will work closely with the avionics team to define the safety-critical architecture including redundancy, navigation, power and telemetry. As a Staff-level individual contributor, you'll set the technical direction for Cowboy's flight safety discipline, establish engineering methodologies and standards, make the build-versus-integrate decisions, and own the range and regulatory interface directly.
Responsibilities
Own the flight safety system as the discipline lead: architecture, analysis, qualification, and certification from concept through flight readiness.
Actively participate in board- and system-level hardware design reviews, lead safety-related discussions, and serve as the go-to person for safety-related hardware design decisions.
Lead the AFTS relationship with Space Launch Delta 45 (Eastern Range) and the FAA/AST, and own the flight safety system approach within Cowboy's Part 450 application and associated safety data deliverables.
Make the build-versus-integrate decision, including integration of CASS (Core Autonomous Safety Software), and define the safety-critical avionics architecture in partnership with the avionics team.
Define the flight abort rules, hazard and debris footprint analysis, and mission data load, and verify abort logic through Monte Carlo and statistical methods.
Specify redundant flight computers, independent GPS/INS navigation, independent power, and independent telemetry and ordnance interfaces to RCC 319 and autonomous flight safety requirements.
Own the environmental qualification campaign—vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI—for flight safety hardware, and the verification evidence supporting certification.
Deliver clear, timely safety requirements and interfaces to avionics, GNC, propulsion, and structures teams.
Investigate anomalies and reconstruct flight safety performance from telemetry to improve future analysis and rule sets.
Establish the methods, tools, and standards the flight safety discipline works to.
Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across the avionics and GNC teams.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
8+ years of experience in flight safety systems, flight termination systems, avionics, or GNC for launch vehicles or flight hardware.
Direct, hands-on experience taking an autonomous flight termination or flight safety system through range certification on a launch vehicle.
Working knowledge of RCC 319, autonomous flight safety requirements, and FAA Part 450 flight safety system expectations.
Demonstrated ownership of flight safety analysis: flight abort rules, debris and hazard footprints, and statistical (Monte Carlo) verification.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
Hands-on experience integrating CASS/AFSS onto vehicle avionics.
Experience on the Eastern Range (Space Launch Delta 45) specifically.
Experience bringing a new launch vehicle—rather than an established program—through first flight.
Familiarity with safety-critical avionics: redundancy architectures, GPS/INS navigation, and independent power and telemetry chains.
Hands-on qualification test experience for flight electronics (vibration, shock, thermal, EMI).
Proficiency with scripting (Python/MATLAB) for safety analysis and load-set processing.
Track record of mentoring engineers and setting technical direction without formal authority.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $157,000 – $206,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
Apply for this Job
Powered by
Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through tests. You'll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of mechanisms that directly impact mission success.
Responsibilities:
Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data.
Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions.
Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time.
Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements.
Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test.
Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) for mechanism load-path and dynamic problems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications:
10+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Direct experience with separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators.
Experience with pyrotechnic or low-shock separation devices.
Hands-on prototyping and machining experience.
Familiarity with reusable vehicle design.
Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR .
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through tests. You'll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of mechanisms that directly impact mission success.
Responsibilities:
Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data.
Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions.
Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time.
Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements.
Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test.
Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) for mechanism load-path and dynamic problems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications:
10+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Direct experience with separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators.
Experience with pyrotechnic or low-shock separation devices.
Hands-on prototyping and machining experience.
Familiarity with reusable vehicle design.
Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR .
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Engineering
92 days ago
DSP Software Engineer
Cowboy Space Corporation · San Carlos, California, United States
Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
The Role
We're looking for a DSP Software Engineer to develop the real-time signal processing algorithms that power our space-based communications and sensing systems. In this role, you'll design, implement, and optimize software that extracts, processes, and analyzes high-speed data streams in resource-constrained environments. You'll collaborate closely with FPGA, RF, avionics, and embedded software engineers to develop algorithms that enable reliable operation in one of the most challenging environments imaginable. This is an opportunity to own mission-critical software that directly impacts spacecraft performance and system capability.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and optimize real-time digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms for flight systems.
Implement high-performance software in C/C++ for embedded and real-time applications.
Develop algorithms for filtering, modulation, demodulation, synchronization, channel estimation, beamforming, and spectral analysis.
Optimize signal processing software for latency, throughput, memory utilization, and power efficiency.
Collaborate with FPGA engineers to partition algorithms between software and programmable logic.
Work closely with RF, avionics, and systems engineering teams to integrate DSP capabilities into spacecraft hardware.
Validate algorithms using simulation, laboratory testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.
Develop test frameworks and analysis tools using Python or MATLAB.
Support system integration, debugging, and performance characterization during hardware bring-up and flight testing.
Participate in architecture reviews, design documentation, and peer code reviews.
Contribute to continuous integration and automated testing pipelines.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.
5+ years of professional experience developing DSP software.
Strong programming skills in C/C++.
Solid understanding of digital signal processing fundamentals.
Experience implementing real-time algorithms on embedded processors.
Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar environments for algorithm development and validation.
Experience with Linux-based development environments.
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
Experience developing DSP software for aerospace, satellite communications, radar, wireless communications, or defense systems.
Knowledge of modulation schemes, error correction coding, synchronization, equalization, and adaptive filtering.
Experience with beamforming, phased array systems, or software-defined radio (SDR).
Experience optimizing software for ARM, x86, or heterogeneous compute platforms.
Familiarity with CUDA, GPU acceleration, SIMD optimization, or multicore processing.
Experience collaborating with FPGA development teams on hardware/software co-design.
Knowledge of communication protocols and RF system architectures.
Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $167,000 - $214,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid time off
10 paid holidays per calendar year
Paid parental leave
Relocation assistance if applicable
Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
ITAR Requirements
Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR .
Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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