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Lab Manager, Avionics Hardware

Cowboy Space Corporation· Avionics
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San Carlos, California$113k - $185kFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Avionics Hardware Development Lab Manager overseeing daily operations, safety, and organization of the avionics lab; combines operational leadership, inventory management, and hands-on technical execution to support development of avionics hardware for space systems.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain a clean, organized, ESD-safe laboratory environment that supports rapid hardware development, integration, and testing.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of laboratory equipment, including procurement, calibration, maintenance, asset tracking, and troubleshooting of engineering test equipment.
  • Own laboratory safety by implementing and enforcing protocols for electrical safety, high-voltage systems, hazardous materials, and general lab compliance.
  • Perform precision board-level assembly, soldering, rework, and repair of complex PCBAs, including fine-pitch SMT, BGA, and other high-density electronic components.
  • Fabricate, modify, and repair custom wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and engineering fixtures from schematics, drawings, and engineering documentation.
  • Apply conformal coatings, potting compounds, and other environmental protection processes to flight hardware as required.
  • Manage inventory of electronic components, consumables, tooling, and raw materials, ensuring critical parts remain in stock and available for development activities.
  • Support engineering teams by assembling prototypes, configuring test benches, integrating instrumentation, and preparing hardware for functional, environmental, and qualification testing.
  • Assist with hardware integration, debugging, and validation while maintaining accurate documentation, equipment records, and lab procedures.
  • Partner closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to improve lab operations, increase efficiency, and accelerate hardware development.

Qualifications

  • Experience: 3+ years of experience managing a hardware development lab or electronics workshop, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or automotive industries.
  • Soldering & Rework: Exceptional manual soldering skills with proven experience in board-level rework of fine-pitch surface mount technology (SMT).
  • Harnessing: Demonstrated experience in building high-reliability wire harnesses, including crimping, shielding, splicing, and connector termination.
  • Materials Handling: Hands-on experience with the application of conformal coatings, epoxies, and potting materials.
  • Safety Training: Documented experience or certification in High-Voltage Safety protocols and laboratory safety management.

Skills

Required:Lab managementSoldering and board reworkWire harnessingEnvironmental coatings and pottingHigh voltage safety
Nice to have:Inventory & procurementTechnical degree or equivalent

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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