Embedded Software Engineering Lead

Cowboy Space Corp.; San Carlos, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; 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 year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp in San Carlos, CA, seeks an Embedded Software Engineering Lead to guide the embedded team responsible for real-time software across satellite control, power beaming, and ground systems. You will establish development standards, perform architecture reviews, and mentor engineers.

Ideal candidates have deep experience with C/C++/Rust, bare-metal embedded work, Linux-based systems, and hands-on hardware interfaces such as SPI/I2C/UART/LVDS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years leading embedded software team.
• 5+ years embedded software experience in aerospace/satellite apps.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Rust for embedded systems.
• Experience developing bare-metal embedded software.
• Experience with hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS.
• Familiarity with embedded debugging tools (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG).
• Knowledge of Linux-based embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead embedded software team developing flight-critical and avionics systems.
• Plan and coordinate firmware releases with sprint management and stakeholders.
• Design and lead fault-tolerant, high-performance flight software architecture.
• Develop and test embedded software for onboard control, real-time processing, and laser power transmission.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate software with avionics and sensors.
• Create SITL/HITL environments for software validation.

Skills

C/C++/Rust

Bare-metal

Hardware interfaces

Linux embedded

Debugging tools

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/EE

Tools

SPI/I2C/UART/LVDS

FPGA development

Job description

Embedded Software Engineering Lead

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.

About the role:

The Embedded Software Engineering Lead at Cowboy Space Corporation will lead the embedded software team in developing and maintaining real-time software for our satellite constellation. This role is responsible for the overall quality, reliability, and fault tolerance of the embedded software infrastructure across satellite control, power beaming operations, and ground receiver systems. You will manage and mentor a team of embedded software engineers to establish development standards, conduct architecture and code reviews, and ensure robust software practices that support Cowboy Space Corporation space-based power transmission platform.

Responsibilities

• Team Lead: Lead embedded software team developing flight-critical and avionics systems through mentorship, performance management, and career development.

• Project Management: Plan and coordinate firmware releases, including task breakdowns, sprint management, timeline tracking, and communication to program stakeholders.

• Flight Software Architecture: Design and lead development of fault-tolerant and high-performance software for mission-critical operations.

• Real-Time Embedded Software Development: Design, implement, and test embedded software for onboard satellite control, real-time data processing, communication, and laser power transmission.

• Hardware Integration: Work with hardware engineers to integrate embedded software with spacecraft avionics, sensors, actuators, and communication systems.

• Testing & Simulation: Work with hardware and test teams to build software-in-the-loop (SITL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments for software validation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• 2+ years of experience as the lead of an embedded software development team.

• 5+ years of experience as an embedded software engineer, particularly for aerospace or satellite applications.

• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Rust for embedded systems.

• Experience developing bare-metal embedded software.

• Experience with hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and LVDS.

• Familiarity with embedded debugging tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers.

• Knowledge of Linux-based embedded systems.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as the lead of an embedded software development team, particularly for aerospace or satellite applications.

• Experience with FPGA development and high-speed embedded computing.

• Experience with software development for space environments.

• Familiarity with satellite communication protocols and telemetry processing.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 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.