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Technical Program Manager, Avionics

Cowboy Space Corporation· Avionics
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San Carlos, California$145k - $220kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Experienced Hardware Project Manager / Technical Program Manager to drive the end-to-end avionics hardware development lifecycle for next-generation spacecraft systems, coordinating across Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality to deliver flight-critical hardware on schedule.

Responsibilities

  • Translate high-level spacecraft avionics requirements into executable hardware development plans, breaking complex systems into trackable engineering work packages and managing execution through Jira or similar tools.
  • Develop, maintain, and own the integrated hardware development schedule, including schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, bring-up, qualification, flight certification, and launch readiness.
  • Drive milestone execution through agile or phase-gated development methodologies, continuously monitoring dependencies, identifying critical path risks, and proactively mitigating schedule impacts.
  • Lead cross-functional execution across Hardware Engineering, Embedded Software, FPGA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, and Quality to ensure successful hardware/software integration and program delivery.
  • Facilitate Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) reviews while supporting production test development and manufacturing readiness.
  • Own hardware program risk management by maintaining the risk register, resolving technical blockers, managing material shortages, and driving ECOs, MRBs, and configuration control.
  • Partner with Supply Chain to manage vendor selection, PCB fabrication, PCBA partners, long-lead component procurement, prototype builds, first-article inspections, and transition to production.
  • Own product lifecycle management (PLM), including BOMs, AMLs, part numbering, release management, and design documentation.
  • Drive hardware quality and reliability through EMC/EMI compliance, signal integrity, power integrity, environmental qualification, and reliability analysis.
  • Support spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, and on-orbit anomaly investigation while ensuring avionics hardware aligns with vehicle architecture and mission objectives.
  • Contribute to avionics system architecture, technical strategy, and engineering decision-making while helping scale hardware development processes across the organization.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 3–5+ years of experience leading complex hardware development programs, preferably in aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability industries.
  • Strong understanding of the end-to-end hardware development lifecycle, including PCB design and fabrication, prototype builds, qualification testing, manufacturing, and production.
  • Technical literacy across electrical engineering workflows, embedded hardware development, environmental qualification (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC), and hardware integration.
  • Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams and coordinating execution across Hardware, Embedded Software, FPGA, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Integration & Test.
  • Proficiency with project management tools such as Jira, Microsoft Project, or Smartsheet, and PLM systems such as Arena, Windchill, or Agile PLM.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to drive execution in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.
  • Proven ability to identify program risks, manage competing priorities, and deliver complex hardware milestones on schedule.

Skills

Required:Hardware program managementProject management toolsPLM systems

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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