Avionics Engineer

Socket.dev; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per calendar year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Office lunch and snacks

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. in San Carlos, CA is seeking an Avionics Engineer to design, develop, and integrate electrical systems for high‑power laser satellite payloads.

You will work with cross‑functional teams to ensure space‑qualified performance on demanding space missions. You will design electrical hardware, develop schematics and PCB layouts, test systems, and document requirements and test plans while collaborating with optics, mechanical, software, and thermal engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 1–5 years in electrical design, preferably aerospace, satellite, or optical systems.
• Circuit simulation with LTspice; hands-on with lab equipment.
• Proficient CAD for electrical design (Altium/OrCAD).
• Familiar with control systems and sensor integration into optical platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and test electrical hardware for laser/optical subsystems, focusing on power, control, and signal processing.
• Create and maintain schematics, PCB designs, and harness diagrams for laser systems.
• Test and validate electrical systems, integrating with detectors, sensors, and laser drivers.
• Debug electrical hardware and ensure robust operation in varying environments.
• Collaborate with optics, mechanical, and thermal engineers for system integration.
• Document system requirements, design specs, and test plans in detail.
• Support environmental testing (thermal-vacuum, vibration, EMI) for space qualification.
• Participate in reviews, offering technical insights for improvements.
• Stay updated on new technologies and improve lab processes.

Skills

Electrical design

Aerospace systems

Circuit simulation

Lab equipment

CAD tools

Control systems

Sensors integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

LTspice

Altium

OrCAD

Oscilloscopes

Job description

About Cowboy Space Corp.

Mission

Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity's most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth.

Background

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport.

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.

Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father's work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.

This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation's team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.

Avionics Engineer

The Avionics Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and integration of electrical systems supporting advanced optical and laser satellite payloads. This role will require hands‑on work with both electrical and optical components to ensure seamless integration of high‑power laser systems and payloads for Aetherflux satellites. You will collaborate with optical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers to develop solutions that meet rigorous performance standards for space applications.

This is an in‑person role at our San Carlos, CA HQ. You would join us on an aggressive timeline and see your work in space as we conduct our first space demonstration in the summer of 2026.

Responsibilities

• Design and test electrical hardware for laser and optical subsystems, focusing on power management, control systems, and signal processing.
• Develop and maintain schematics, PCB designs, and harness diagrams for laser systems and satellite subsystems.
• Conduct testing and validation of electrical systems, including integration with optical components such as detectors, sensors, and laser drivers.
• Perform testing and debugging of electrical hardware, ensuring robust operation under various environmental conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (optics, mechanical, and thermal engineers) to ensure seamless integration and system-level functionality.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation, including system requirements, design specifications, and test plans.
• Support environmental testing and validation, including thermal-vacuum, vibration, and electromagnetic interference tests to ensure space-qualification of electrical subsystems.
• Participate in customer and internal design reviews, providing technical insights and recommendations for system improvements.
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends, and continuously improve the design and development process in the electrical engineering lab.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 1-5 years of experience in electrical design, preferably in aerospace, satellite, or optical systems.
• Circuit simulation and analysis experience using tools such as LTspice and spreadsheets.
• Hands‑on experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, soldering stations, and laser drivers.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and experience debugging electrical systems in lab environments.
• Proficiency with CAD tools for electrical design (e.g., Altium, OrCAD).
• Familiarity with control systems, sensors, and their integration into optical platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with high‑power laser systems, including design, integration, and testing of laser control systems.
• Familiarity with space qualification standards and environmental testing for aerospace applications (thermal‑vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Experience working with cross‑functional engineering teams, particularly in optical and mechanical disciplines.
• Knowledge of embedded systems and firmware development for control of optical and electrical systems.
• Understanding of satellite electrical systems and power distribution for space applications.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $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.