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Head of Avionics

Cowboy Space Corporation· Avionics
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San Carlos, California$200k - $250kFull-timePosted 5mo ago

About the role

Lead the design, development, and integration of avionics systems across Cowboy Space Corporation's spacecraft platform, owning architecture, execution, and team building for real-time, safety-critical avionics in a space environment.

Responsibilities

  • Define the technical vision and roadmap for avionics across spacecraft platforms
  • Own system architecture across avionics, hardware interfaces, and system integration
  • Lead the design and development of avionics systems, peripheral interfaces, EMI/EMC, embedded architecture, and rapid integrated testing infrastructure
  • Build and lead a team of avionics engineers, setting technical direction and development standards
  • Ensure robust communication across subsystems and subsystem leads
  • Drive end-to-end development from concept through design, integration, validation, and flight readiness
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with other spacecraft teams to ensure seamless system integration
  • Establish testing, validation, and qualification strategies for avionics systems, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and simulation environments
  • Optimize systems for performance within constraints of power, thermal, and radiation environments
  • Guide component selection, vendor partnerships, and manufacturing processes for avionics hardware
  • Participate in system-level trade studies to balance performance, cost, mass, and power
  • Represent avionics in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive-level discussions

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in avionics engineering
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
  • Experience designing and shipping embedded or avionics systems in production environments
  • Strong background in RTOS, microcontrollers/SoCs/FPGA-based systems, and hardware/software integration
  • Experience leading technical projects or engineering teams with increasing scope and ownership
  • Strong understanding of system architecture and embedded system design principles

Skills

Required:Avionics system architectureEmbedded systemsRTOSHIL and simulationLeadership
Nice to have:Radiation effects mitigation

Benefits

  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
  • 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
Last updated Sep 20, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Cowboy Space Corporation

Powering Humanity From the High Frontier

Cowboy Space Corp. is building a power grid in outer space for artificial intelligence. It is an integrated system of satellites and rockets to haul high-performance compute and optical data transmission down from Low Earth Orbit. Earth's energy grid can't run at the pace of AI. We can.

Orbital Data CentersAI compute in spacesolar-powered data centersLow Earth Orbitpower grid in space
Company profileWebsite

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