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Controls Software Engineer, Pointing & Tracking

Cowboy Space Corporation· Software Engineering
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San Carlos, California$170k - $192kFull-timePosted 2w ago

About the role

Controls software engineer role focused on designing, implementing, and maintaining the pointing and tracking control loop for laser links between moving platforms (satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite) in a real-time embedded environment.

Responsibilities

  • Own the pointing and tracking control loop from design through on-orbit operations
  • Design, implement, and tune closed-loop controllers that keep optical links precisely pointed between moving platforms
  • Translate control theory (e.g., state estimation, PID, state-space, optimal control methods) into real-time embedded software in Rust
  • Perform stability analysis, closed-loop tuning, and performance characterization of control algorithms
  • Build simulation and analysis tools to model, validate, and iterate on control system behavior
  • Support hardware integration and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the full sensing-to-actuation chain
  • Develop automated test frameworks to validate control performance across operating conditions
  • Collaborate with GNC, optics, avionics, and firmware teams to define interfaces and system-level pointing architecture
  • Investigate on-orbit and test anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and drive fixes across software and hardware boundaries
  • Develop fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) strategies

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience (or equivalent practical experience) in control systems, GNC, robotics, or embedded software development
  • Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and tuning closed-loop control systems
  • Strong understanding of control theory fundamentals
  • Strong programming skills in a systems language (e.g., Rust, C, or C++) with willingness to work in Rust
  • Experience implementing control algorithms in a real-time or embedded context
  • Experience integrating software with sensors and actuators, including debugging across the hardware/software boundary

Skills

Required:Control theory fundamentalsClosed-loop control design and tuningRust programmingReal-time / embedded softwareSensor/actuator integration and debugging
Nice to have:Simulation and analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python tooling)GNC / Attitude control experienceHardware-in-the-loop testing (HIL)Fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR)

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 Oct 11, 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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