Staff Engineer, Optics & RF

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Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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:

The Avionics Team is looking for an RF Engineer to design, develop, and validate the RF hardware that enables communication, telemetry, command and control, and high-bandwidth data transport across our spacecraft platforms. This role is heavily focused on board-level RF design and integration, working closely with electrical, PCB layout, firmware, and test engineers to deliver high-performance RF subsystems capable of operating reliably in the space environment. You will own RF circuitry from architecture through flight qualification, helping build the communications backbone of the orbital economy.

Responsibilities:

Design RF driver and receiver circuitry for optical communication links supporting data rates upto 50 Gbps

Develop end-to-end RF signal chain architecture for laser diode drivers, modulators, and photodetector front-ends

Design and lay out high-speed RF/analog PCBs, including specialized stack-ups tailored for RF signal integrity and impedance control

Perform signal integrity analysis, including impedance matching, crosstalk mitigation, and eye-diagram/jitter optimization for high-speed links

Collaborate with optics and photonics engineers to co-design electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical interfaces

Support the design, integration, and testing of free-space optical communication terminals, including transmitter and receiver electronics

Conduct RF circuit simulation (S-parameter analysis, transmission line modeling) and validate designs through lab measurement and characterization

Debug and troubleshoot high-speed RF/optical link performance issues in lab and field test environments

Work closely with mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering teams to integrate RF/optical subsystems into complete communication terminals

Document design decisions, test results, and contribute to design reviews and technical roadmaps

Stay current with advances in optical communication technology, RF driver ICs, and opto-electronic component development

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Photonics, or related field

5+ years of professional experience designing RF circuitry for high-speed communication systems

Hands-on experience designing RF circuits to drive optical communication links (laser drivers, TIAs, modulator drivers)

Direct experience with free-space/open-space laser communication systems

Proven experience working with high-speed RF communication links in the 1 Gbps to 50 Gbps range

Strong PCB design and layout experience for RF circuitry, including familiarity with specialized RF PCB stack-ups (e.g., mixed dielectric, controlled impedance, RF-grade laminates)

Solid understanding of RF transmission line theory, impedance matching, and high-speed signal integrity principles

Proficiency with RF simulation and design tools (ADS, HFSS, or equivalent) and PCB design tools (Altium, Cadence Allegro)

Experience with lab test and measurement equipment for high-speed RF characterization (network analyzers, BERTs, oscilloscopes, eye-diagram analysis)

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex RF/optical system issues

Effective communicator able to collaborate cross-functionally with optics, mechanical, and systems teams

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge and hands-on experience with opto-silicon (silicon photonics) design and integration

Experience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant RF/optical hardware design

Familiarity with laser diode driver ICs, transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), and high-speed modulator technologies

Background in coherent or direct-detection optical communication link design

Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystems for free-space optical terminals

Understanding of link budget analysis and optical power/noise trade-offs for free-space channels

Familiarity with fiber-optic component integration (photodiodes, laser diodes, optical amplifiers)

Experience with EMI/EMC mitigation techniques for high-speed RF/optical systems

Publications or patents related to RF/optical communication system design

Technical Skills & Tools:

RF/EM simulation: Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, or equivalent

PCB design: Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent

Signal integrity analysis: S-parameters, TDR, eye-diagram/jitter analysis

Test & measurement: Vector network analyzers, BERTs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical power meters

Optical component familiarity: laser diodes, photodetectors, TIAs, modulators

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $219,000 - $276,000 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 lis