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Embedded Software Engineering Lead

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:

The Embedded Software Engineering Lead at Aetherflux will lead the embedded software team in developing and maintaining real-time software for our satellite constellation. This role is responsible for the overall quality, reliability, and fault tolerance of the embedded software infrastructure across satellite control, power beaming operations, and ground receiver systems. You will manage and mentor a team of embedded software engineers to establish development standards, conduct architecture and code reviews, and ensure robust software practices that support Aetherflux's space-based power transmission platform.

Responsibilities:

• Team Lead: Lead embedded software team developing flight-critical and avionics systems through mentorship, performance management, and career development.

• Project Management: Plan and coordinate firmware releases, including task breakdowns, sprint management, timeline tracking, and communication to program stakeholders.

• Flight Software Architecture: Design and lead development of fault-tolerant and high-performance software for mission-critical operations.

• Real-Time Embedded Software Development: Design, implement, and test embedded software for onboard satellite control, real-time data processing, communication, and laser power transmission.

• Hardware Integration: Work with hardware engineers to integrate embedded software with spacecraft avionics, sensors, actuators, and communication systems.

• Testing & Simulation: Work with hardware and test teams to build software-in-the-loop (SITL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments for software validation.

Basic Qualifications:

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

• 2+ years of experience as the lead of an embedded software development team.

• 5+ years of experience as an embedded software engineer, particularly for aerospace or satellite applications.

• Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Rust for embedded systems.

• Experience developing bare-metal embedded software.

• Experience with hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and LVDS.

• Familiarity with embedded debugging tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debuggers.

• Knowledge of Linux-based embedded systems.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience as the lead of an embedded software development team, particularly for aerospace or satellite applications.

• Experience with FPGA development and high-speed embedded computing.

• Experience with software development for space environments.

• Familiarity with satellite communication protocols and telemetry processing.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 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.