Sr. Test Software Engineer, AI Workloads

Cowboy Space Corporation

San Carlos (CA)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 200,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per calendar year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Software Test Engineer for AI workloads to help build the software that controls spacecraft, ground systems, and mission operations in a fast-paced space-tech company.

You will design tests, develop simulation and testing frameworks, collaborate with hardware teams, and contribute to on-orbit reliability in real-time, resource-constrained environments, shaping how a new class of space infrastructure operates.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
3+ years of experience building production software systems.
Strong programming skills in C++, Python, or Rust.
Experience working close to hardware, distributed systems, or real-time systems.
Solid understanding of systems fundamentals (operating systems, networking, concurrency).
Experience working in fast-paced, engineering-driven environments.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain software for spacecraft systems, ground systems, and mission operations.
Develop flight software that interfaces directly with hardware and supports real-time control.
Build simulation and testing frameworks to validate system behavior before deployment.
Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate, test, and debug systems end-to-end.
Write performant, reliable code for resource-constrained and mission-critical environments.
Develop internal tools to support testing, automation, and operational workflows.
Participate in system bring-up, integration, and launch preparation activities.
Monitor and support on-orbit operations, including debugging and performance optimization.
Contribute to system architecture decisions across software and hardware boundaries.
Balance speed, reliability, and scalability in a fast-paced development environment.

Skills

C++

Python

Rust

Real-time systems

Distributed systems

Education

Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field

Job description

Software Test Engineer, AI Workloads

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

As a Software Engineer at Cowboy Space Corp., you will build the systems that control, operate, and scale our spacecraft and ground infrastructure. This includes flight software, simulation, mission control systems, and the tooling needed to test and operate hardware in real time.

This is a highly ownership-driven role where you’ll work across the stack—from low-level systems interacting with hardware to higher-level services that enable mission operations. You’ll collaborate closely with hardware teams (propulsion, power, avionics) to bring up systems, validate performance, and ensure reliable operation in demanding environments.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain software for spacecraft systems, ground systems, and mission operations
Develop flight software that interfaces directly with hardware and supports real-time control
Build simulation and testing frameworks to validate system behavior before deployment
Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate, test, and debug systems end-to-end
Write performant, reliable code for resource-constrained and mission-critical environments
Develop internal tools to support testing, automation, and operational workflows
Participate in system bring-up, integration, and launch preparation activities
Monitor and support on-orbit operations, including debugging and performance optimization
Contribute to system architecture decisions across software and hardware boundaries
Balance speed, reliability, and scalability in a fast-paced development environment

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
3+ years of experience building production software systems
Strong programming skills in languages such as C++, Python, or Rust
Experience working close to hardware, distributed systems, or real-time systems
Solid understanding of systems fundamentals (operating systems, networking, concurrency)
Experience working in fast-paced, engineering-driven environments

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with flight software, embedded systems, or robotics
Background in aerospace, autonomous systems, or high-reliability environments
Experience building simulation frameworks or hardware-in-the-loop testing systems
Familiarity with Linux-based systems and low-level debugging
Experience with cloud infrastructure or distributed systems for mission operations
Track record of owning systems end-to-end in high-ownership environments

Why This Role Is Different

Work across the full stack—from hardware interfaces to mission operations
Direct impact on real spacecraft and on-orbit performance
Fast iteration cycles with tight hardware/software integration
High ownership and autonomy in a small, high-caliber team
Opportunity to help define software systems for a new class of space infrastructure

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range for this position is $100,000 – $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 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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