Software Engineer, Reliability (Avionics / Compute Systems)

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.

About the Role:

As a Software Engineer, Reliability, you will ensure the software powering our avionics and high-performance compute systems operates flawlessly in orbit. You will own reliability from concept through flight, building automated validation frameworks and testing compute platforms under mission-representative conditions. This hands-on role requires bridging hardware and software to optimize fault tolerance and performance. You’ll be expected to move quickly, resolve complex anomalies, and take ownership of the system stability that directly impacts mission success.

Responsibilities:

• Own software reliability for avionics and compute systems across the full lifecycle—from concept, design, radiation hardening, and integration to launch and on-orbit operations

• Design, develop, and maintain automated test and validation frameworks for embedded and high-performance compute systems

• Develop software to validate performance, stability, and fault tolerance of CPUs, GPUs, and custom accelerators under mission-representative conditions

• Execute system-level testing including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), environmental, and stress testing to identify failure modes

• Characterize system performance (latency, throughput, resource utilization) and drive optimization across hardware/software boundaries

• Investigate and resolve anomalies through deep root cause analysis, using data-driven approaches to improve system reliability

• Define reliability metrics, test plans, and acceptance criteria for flight-critical systems

• Work closely with electrical, avionics, and software teams to ensure robust integration of compute platforms into spacecraft systems

• Build internal tools to support rapid debugging, telemetry analysis, and system observability

• Support vehicle and payload bring-up, integration, and pre-flight validation efforts

• Support and participate in radiation testing campaigns of avionics and compute parts

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

• 4+ years of experience in software engineering, reliability engineering, or systems validation

• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, or similar languages

• Experience working with distributed systems, embedded systems, or high-performance compute environments

• Familiarity with debugging complex system-level issues across hardware and software

• Experience building automated test frameworks or validation infrastructure

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with avionics systems, spacecraft hardware, or embedded compute platforms

• Familiarity with GPU/accelerator-based systems and performance validation (e.g., CUDA, parallel computing)

• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and system integration

• Strong background in performance analysis, profiling, and optimization

• Experience with observability tools, logging, and telemetry systems

• Understanding of fault tolerance, redundancy, and high-reliability system design

• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-ownership environments (e.g., aerospace, defense, advanced hardware startups)

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 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

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.