Cowboy Space is a startup building orbital data-center satellites and an in-house rocket program to launch them.
SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER About Cowboy Space Corp: 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: We are looking for a Software Engineer to help build critical systems that power our space-based compute platform. You will work across the stack—from flight and mission software to ground systems and simulation tools—contributing to software that operates in highly constrained, high-reliability environments. This is a high-growth role with the opportunity to gain ownership quickly and work closely with experienced engineers across hardware and software. Responsibilities: - Design, develop, and rigorously test high-reliability, low-latency flight software for our space-based compute platform and satellite subsystems. - Implement and maintain critical mission software for on-orbit operation, including command and data handling (C&DH), fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR), and secure communications. - Work across the stack from low-level embedded systems to higher-level mission logic, utilizing systems-level languages (C++, Rust, Python). - Develop software for ground systems, simulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to support integration, validation, and on-orbit operations. - Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware, GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), and constellation operations, to define and implement software interfaces and ensure seamless system-level functionality. - Maintain detailed technical documentation, including software design documents, interface control documents, and comprehensive test plans. - Participate in code reviews, design reviews, and implement continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to ensure the robustness and safe deployment of flight and ground software. Basic Qualifications: - 5+ years of experience in software engineering (internships and relevant projects count) - Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field - Proficiency in at least one systems-level language (C++, Python, or Rust) - Exposure to one or more of the following: - Embedded systems - Distributed systems - Robotics or autonomous systems - Aerospace or hardware-adjacent software - Strong fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and system design basics - Eagerness to learn and operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment Preferred Qualifications: - Proven experience working with real-time systems, multithreading, or concurrency in production environments - Deep familiarity with Linux systems, including debugging, profiling, and performance tuning - Experience building or operating distributed systems or networked applications (e.g., TCP/IP, sockets, or service communication) - Experience with simulation environments or software interacting with physical systems (robotics, aerospace, automotive) - Exposure to control systems, GNC, or autonomy stacks in a practical setting (not just academic) - Experience working on high-reliability or safety-critical systems with strong testing and validation practices - Experience designing or maintaining CI/CD pipelines for complex systems (including automated testing, integration with hardware or simulation environments, and safe deployment practices) 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 here https://deccs.pmddtc.state.gov/deccs. 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, marita