Electrical Engineer, Optical CommunicationsThe RoleWe are looking for an RF Engineer to design and deploy advanced communication systems with a strong emphasis on
high-speed optical communications and software-defined radio architectures. This role sits at the boundary of networking, RF avionics, and embedded compute, requiring a systems-level approach to building robust, flight-capable communication pipelines.
You will own the development of RF and hybrid RF/optical communication subsystems capable of delivering
high-throughput data links under real-world constraints including motion, atmospheric interference, thermal variation, and limited power budgets.
Responsibilities- Design, develop, and integrate communication PCBAs, modulators, and devices for airborne or space-based platforms
- Architect and implement SDR-based communication pipelines (modulation, encoding, synchronization, and signal processing)
- Develop high-speed optical communication links (free-space optics / laser comms), including link budgeting, pointing and tracking, and alignment strategies with intelligent failover and redundancy
- Perform system-level trade studies from high-speed optical links
- Design and validate end-to-end communication chains, from data streams, through communication PCBAs, and to optical front-ends
- Collaborate closely with avionics, firmware, and compute teams to integrate comms systems into flight hardware
- Develop test infrastructure for lab and field validation, including over-the-air testing and optical link validation setups
- Analyze performance under real-world conditions (noise, interference, Doppler, atmospheric turbulence, pointing loss) and iterate rapidly
- Own documentation, interface definitions, and system performance metrics for communication subsystems
Basic Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in RF systems, communications engineering, or related domain
- Strong fundamentals in communication theory (modulation, coding, synchronization, signal propagation)
- Experience in designing PCBA's for communication systems
- Experience with software-defined radio platforms
- Hands-on experience with RF lab equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VNAs, oscilloscopes)
- Familiarity with link budgeting and system-level performance analysis
- Experience working across hardware and software boundaries
Preferred Qualifications- Experience designing or deploying high-speed optical communication systems (free-space optics, laser communications, coherent optical links, or photonics)
- Background in avionics, aerospace systems, or other mission-critical embedded environments
- Experience with real-time DSP implementation on embedded systems, FPGAs, or GPUs
- Familiarity with SDR frameworks and low-level radio hardware (e.g., USRPs or custom RF front-ends)
- Understanding of atmospheric effects on both RF and optical propagation (scattering, absorption, turbulence)
- Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems for optical links
- Knowledge of antenna systems, phased arrays, or optical beam steering technologies
- Experience with high-throughput data systems and low-latency communication architectures
- Experience working within SWaP (size, weight, and power) constraints for flight systems
- Strong debugging skills across the full stack: RF front-end, optical systems, firmware, and software
Compensation and BenefitsThe 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.
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.
