Software Engineer

Software Engineer (San Carlos, CA)

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.