The RoleThis role is highly hands-on. You will own validation strategy and work across electrical, firmware, thermal, mechanical, and system software teams to uncover and resolve failure modes during launch and after orbital deployment.
Responsibilities- Lead board bring-up and system validation for advanced edge compute platforms.
- Develop validation methodologies covering signal integrity, power integrity, power sequencing, thermal behavior, and system reliability.
- Debug complex hardware and firmware interactions across High-speed interconnects (PCIe, Nvidia NVLink, AMD XGMI), memory subsystems, BMC/SMC and HMC architectures.
- Perform detailed board analysis using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and power instrumentation.
- Drive root-cause analysis for system failures discovered during validation and environmental testing.
- Design and validate interfaces using protocols such as I2C, SPI, and UART.
- Partner closely with mechanical, thermal, firmware, and software teams to ensure robust system integration.
- Help define engineering standards and validation processes for flight-ready compute hardware.
Basic Qualifications- Experience in board design review, system validation, or compute hardware engineering.
- 5+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware system
- Strong background in server, accelerated compute, or embedded compute platforms.
- Deep understanding of motherboard architecture, high-speed signaling, power delivery systems, and system management infrastructure.
- Extensive hands-on debugging experience at board and system level.
- Proficiency with lab equipment including oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
- Experience with scripting or automation in Python, C/C++, or similar languages.
- Strong ownership mentality and ability to independently drive technical problems to resolution.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications- 8+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware system
- Experience with remote management technologies such as Redfish or IPMI.
- Experience with spacecraft avionics, power systems, and thermal systems
- Experience with environmental testing (vibe, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)
- Radiation testing for LEO avionics background
- Track record of ownership and leadership
Why This Role Is Different- Own critical hardware systems, not just a small component
- Fast iteration cycles with direct path from design to hardware testing
- Work closely across disciplines in a tightly integrated team
- High autonomy and ownership with real impact on the spacecraft
- Opportunity to help define hardware systems for a new class of space infrastructure
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.
DisclaimerThis 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.
