Cowboy Space is a startup building orbital data-center satellites and an in-house rocket program to launch them.
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 We are seeking an experienced Space Communication Systems Engineer to design, analyze, and validate wireless communication systems for satellite platforms. This role covers the full communication link, from RF front-end and antenna design through modem architecture and ground station integration. You will work across S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF radio systems, performing link budget analysis and system-level performance evaluation to ensure robust, high-reliability communication links for space missions. The ideal candidate combines strong RF/wireless engineering fundamentals with hands-on experience integrating COTS hardware and validating end-to-end communication system performance. Responsibilities - Design and develop wireless communication systems for satellite platforms, including RF subsystems operating in S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF frequency ranges - Lead antenna design, simulation, and validation efforts to meet mission-specific coverage, gain, and pattern requirements - Support ground station design, integration, and operational readiness for satellite communication links - Perform link budget analysis and simulation to validate communication link performance across mission scenarios and operating conditions - Select, architect, and integrate COTS modem hardware, including part selection, validation testing, and system integration - Work closely with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration of the physical layer modem with other system components - Perform detailed performance analysis of the designed communication system, including link budget analysis, throughput, latency, and error rate characterization - Conduct RF and wireless system testing using lab-grade test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers - Develop and execute test plans and validation procedures for RF, antenna, and modem subsystems - Troubleshoot and resolve communication link performance issues identified during integration, test, or field operations - Document design decisions, analysis results, and test data, and present findings in design reviews - Collaborate with systems engineering to define communication system requirements and trade studies - Support FCC certification and regulatory compliance efforts for RF transmitters, including equipment authorization filings, spurious emissions testing, and coordination with test labs - Ensure RF system designs comply with applicable FCC Part 25 (satellite) and other relevant domestic and international spectrum regulations - Prepare technical documentation and test reports required for regulatory submissions and spectrum licensing applications Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Wireless Communications, Aerospace Engineering, or related field - 7+ years of professional experience in wireless communication systems engineering, with a focus on satellite or space-based communication systems - Hands-on experience with S-band, X-band, and UHF radio systems for satellite communication applications - Demonstrated experience in antenna design, simulation, and validation testing - Experience with ground station design, integration, and operations - Strong background in link budget analysis and communication system simulation - Experience selecting, architecting, and integrating COTS modem hardware, including component-level validation - Proficiency with wireless/RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers, and BERTs - Solid understanding of physical layer modem architecture and its interfaces to hardware and software systems - Experience performing communication system performance analysis, including throughput, latency, and error rate characterization - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex RF/communication system issues - Effective communicator able to collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams - Familiarity with FCC certification processes and regulatory compliance requirements for RF transmitting equipment Preferred Qualifications - Master's degree or Ph.D. in RF/Wireless Communications, Electrical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering - Experience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant RF hardware design - Familiarity with modulation and coding schemes used in satellite communication (e.g., QPSK, OQPSK, LDPC, Reed-Solomon) - Experience with satellite communication standards and protocols (e.g., CCSDS) - Background in phased array or steerable antenna systems - Experience with RF simulation tools (Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS, or equivalent) and link budget/system simulation tools (STK, MATLAB/Simulink) - Familiarity with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms - Experience supporting satellite mission operations or field deployment of ground station equipment - Direct experience leading FCC equipment authorization filings (e.g., Part 15, Part 25) or working with FCC-accredited test labs - Familiarity with international spec