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 Avionics Team is looking for a PCB Layout Engineer to own the design and implementation of high-performance printed circuit boards that power our spacecraft systems. In this role, you will work closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to develop complex multilayer boards supporting power electronics, compute hardware, communications systems, and mission-critical avionics. You will be responsible for translating schematics into manufacturable layouts while balancing signal integrity, power integrity, thermal performance, and reliability requirements for the space environment.
Responsibilities:
Layout of complex multilayer PCBs for spacecraft avionics, power systems, RF systems, and compute hardware
Collaborate with electrical engineers to translate schematics into production-ready PCB designs
Define stackups and routing strategies for high-speed digital interfaces, power distribution networks, and mixed-signal designs
Perform signal integrity, power integrity, impedance control, and design rule analysis
Work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure proper board fit, thermal performance, and system integration
Generate fabrication, assembly, and manufacturing documentation packages
Partner with suppliers and contract manufacturers to support board fabrication, assembly, and bring-up activities
Drive DFM, DFA, and DFT best practices throughout the design process
Contribute to the development of internal PCB design standards and layout methodologies
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field
1-5+ years of experience in PCB layout for complex electronic systems
Experience with industry-standard PCB design tools such as Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or Mentor Graphics
Experience designing multilayer boards with controlled impedance, high-speed interfaces, and dense component placement
Understanding of signal integrity, power integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC considerations
Experience creating manufacturing documentation and supporting board fabrication and assembly
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience designing PCB layouts for aerospace, defense, satellite, or other high-reliability systems
Experience with high-speed interfaces such as DDR, PCIe, Ethernet, SerDes, or FPGA-based systems
Familiarity with RF layout techniques and mixed-signal board design
Experience supporting environmental testing including vibration, thermal vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing
Knowledge of IPC standards and design for manufacturability best practices
Experience working in fast-paced startup environments
Experience with component creation, verification, and library management
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $128,000 - $160,000 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.
