---
title: 'Software Engineer, Reliability (Avionics / Compute Systems) at Cowboy Space Corp.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-reliability-avionics-compute-systems-cowboy-space-corp-san-kcr615x6ev9e'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Software Engineer, Reliability (Avionics / Compute Systems) at Cowboy Space Corp.

- **Company:** Cowboy Space Corp.
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$200k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-09-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cowboyspace/007d329f-9a6c-49f0-a3a5-623dbff16f20/application

**Skills:** Python, C++, Distributed systems, Embedded systems, High-performance compute environments, Automated test frameworks, Validation infrastructure, Avionics systems, Spacecraft hardware, Embedded compute platforms, GPU/accelerator-based systems, CUDA, Parallel computing, Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, System integration, Performance analysis, Profiling, Optimization, Observability tools, Logging

> Ensure software reliability for avionics and compute systems across the full lifecycle. Build automated validation frameworks, execute system-level testing, and resolve anomalies to optimize fault tolerance and performance for space infrastructure.

## Job description

## SOFTWARE ENGINEER, RELIABILITY (AVIONICS / COMPUTE SYSTEMS)

About Cowboy Space Corp:

Mission Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. We are tackling one of humanity’s most complex engineering challenges with a world-class team dedicated to delivering a revolutionary power platform. Cowboy Space Corporation is transforming how civilization powers, computes and connects - from orbit to Earth.

Background Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our modular, scalable satellites collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to enable multiple integrated applications: transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit high-performance computing clusters (GPU/TPU), and providing secure, high bandwidth optical data transport.

Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.

Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.

This is an ambitious mission that demands extraordinary talent. Cowboy Space Corporation ’s team has worked at places like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis and NASA, and is based in San Carlos, CA. If you're ready to solve complex technical challenges and help build the most important energy company in the world, we want to hear from you.

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 https://deccs.pmddtc.state.gov/deccs.

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.

## About Cowboy Space Corp.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Cowboy Space Corp. is building a vertically integrated orbital infrastructure system—satellites, rockets, and space-based solar power—to run AI compute in Low Earth Orbit.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B, raised $275 M in May 2026 at a $2 B valuation)
- **Headquarters**: San Carlos, California, United States (with an engineering hub in Seattle, WA)
- **Founded**: 2023 per LinkedIn; 2024 per Built In and other reports (conflicting data)
- **Founders**: Baiju Bhatt (co‑founder and former co‑CEO of Robinhood)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space‑based AI infrastructure / Defense and Space Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: AI companies, hyperscalers, government/defense agencies that need high‑performance compute without Earth’s power‑grid constraints
- **Mission statement**: “Build the power grid for AI in space” – harnessing abundant solar power in Low Earth Orbit to run on‑orbit GPU data centers

## Products & Services
- **Stampede Constellation**: A planned 20,000‑satellite LEO constellation of orbital data centers that capture solar energy to power NVIDIA GPU racks (~800 GPUs per satellite). Inter‑satellite optical laser links provide high‑speed data transmission.
- **Purpose‑Built Launch Vehicle**: A rocket whose upper stage is itself a 1‑megawatt data center with active thermal management and integrated compute, eliminating redundant structure and mass. First launch targeted before end of 2028.
- **Space‑Based Solar Power**: Satellites in dawn‑dusk sun‑synchronous orbits capture near‑continuous solar energy, beaming power wirelessly via infrared lasers (first demo satellite built with Apex Space).
- **NVIDIA Space‑1 Vera Rubin Modules**: Custom AI compute hardware designed for LEO, integrated into the Stampede satellites.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: $2 B as of the Series B round in May 2026
- **Key Metric**: Total funding ~$335 M (Series B $275 M + Series A $50 M + seed/pre‑seed ~$10 M). Annual revenue is not publicly available.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Index Ventures (lead, Series B), IVP, Blossom Capital, SAIC, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Construct Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, Interlagos, Baiju Bhatt (personal capital). Partnered with NVIDIA, Apex Space, and the U.S. Department of Defense (OECIF funding).
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Headcount grew ~205 % year‑over‑year (42 employees per LinkedIn mid‑2026; Built In reports 61 total employees – conflicting data)
  - Filed FCC application in May 2026 for a 20,000‑satellite orbital data center system
  - Opened a Seattle engineering hub in March 2026
  - Won DoD funding for power beam proof‑of‑concept; received Commercial Spaceflight Federation membership

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full‑stack integration**: The rocket’s upper stage is the satellite itself, eliminating redundant mass and dedicated launch‑satellite interfaces, allowing more compute per kilogram.
- **Space‑based solar power**: Satellites in sun‑synchronous orbits harvest near‑continuous solar energy, bypassing terrestrial grid bottlenecks that take 5–7 years for new data center connections.
- **Vertically owned manufacturing and launch**: Controls the entire value chain – from launch vehicle to orbital data center and optical data transmission – enabling rapid iteration and scale.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale the Stampede constellation to thousands of satellites, each hosting hundreds of GPUs, to deliver orbital compute at a scale impossible on Earth.
- Launch the first satellite (power beaming demo with Apex Space) and complete the first integrated vehicle launch before 2028.
- Continue to partner with defense and government agencies (e.g., DoD) while also serving commercial AI customers.
- Rebranded from “Aetherflux” in May 2026 to unify the company’s identity around the “Cowboy” mission.

## Why Work Here
- **Team pedigree**: Engineers from SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA/JPL, Astranis, Anduril, Amazon Kuiper, NVIDIA, and Robinhood. Strong aerospace and AI/ML culture.
- **Work model**: Hybrid – employees engage in a combination of remote and on‑site work; many roles are listed as “in‑office” in San Carlos or Seattle.
- **Culture & perks**: A fast‑paced startup tackling one of the hardest infrastructure problems (space‑based AI compute). Roles span electrical engineering, optical comms, GNC, firmware, supply chain, and talent acquisition. Emphasis on “building the future” and strengthening U.S. energy independence and national security.
- **Growth opportunity**: Joining a company that has just raised a $275 M Series B at a $2 B valuation, with aggressive hiring across technical and leadership positions.

## Sources
1. [cowboyspace.com](https://www.cowboyspace.com/)
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cowboyspace)
3. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/cowboy-space-corporation)
4. [siliconvalleyinvestclub.com](https://siliconvalleyinvestclub.com/cowboy-space/)

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