Staff Engineer, Optics and RF

Department: Avionics

Location: San Carlos, California

Employment Type: FullTime

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 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 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.