Avionics Engineer, Flight Computer Verified today

Cowboy Space · Seattle, WA · Electronics · first seen 2026-07-17

The Role

You'll own the design, development, integration, and qualification of our spacecraft flight computer. This is a hands-on individual contributor role where you'll deliver reliable, radiation-tolerant avionics hardware that serves as the central computing platform for our satellites.

You'll work closely with software, GNC, power, RF, thermal, and mechanical engineers to develop avionics capable of operating in the harsh environment of space.

Responsibilities

Architect and design spacecraft flight computer hardware from concept through flight qualification.
Own schematic capture, component selection, board bring-up, debugging, and verification.
Design high-reliability digital electronics using modern processors, SoCs, FPGAs, memory, and high-speed interfaces.
Develop fault-tolerant architectures including redundancy, watchdogs, fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR).
Define interfaces between the flight computer and all spacecraft subsystems, including power, propulsion, GNC, payloads, communications, and telemetry.
Lead board-level validation, hardware characterization, environmental testing, and design verification.
Partner closely with embedded software and FPGA engineers to enable hardware/software integration.
Support manufacturing, DFM/DFT reviews, supplier engagement, and production test development.
Drive EMC/EMI compliance, signal integrity, power integrity, and reliability analysis.
Support spacecraft integration, environmental qualification, launch campaigns, and on-orbit anomaly resolution.
Contribute to system architecture and technical decision making across the avionics organization.

Basic Qualifications

BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
5+ years developing complex digital hardware.
Experience designing processor-based embedded systems.
Strong schematic capture and board-level debugging experience.
Experience with DDR memory, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, PCIe, SpaceWire, or similar interfaces.
Familiarity with FPGA-based systems and embedded processors.
Experience bringing hardware from prototype through production.
Proficiency using tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, or equivalent.
Strong lab debugging skills using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, and related equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing spacecraft or launch vehicle avionics.
Experience with radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened electronics.
Familiarity with ECSS, NASA, or MIL hardware design standards.
Experience with fault-tolerant computing architectures.
Knowledge of high-speed digital design, SI/PI analysis, and timing closure.
Experience with environmental qualification including vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing.
Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS, or bare-metal software development.
Experience supporting hardware through launch and flight operations.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $120,000 to $175,000 annually. Base salary will depend on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
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 fully stocked kitchen

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, 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.