Optical Engineer, Communications

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.

This ambitious mission 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.

The Role:

The Optical Engineer, Lasers & Photonics Engineer at Cowboy Space Corp. will play a key role in designing, developing, and optimizing high-power laser systems for our satellites.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop high-power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space-based applications

• Characterize laser sources including linewidth, phase noise, RIN, and spectral purity

• Select, integrate, and qualify fiber-optic components and subsystems for integration into a space-based platform

• Perform and supervise fiber splicing and assembly of fiber-optic subassemblies

• Model and measure fiber nonlinearity effects including SBS and SPM

• Design and align coherent fiber-optic receivers

• Develop and execute test plans for optical performance verification including BER, eye diagrams, and spectral measurements

• Generate design specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree+ in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

• 3+ years of hands-on experience with fiber-optic systems including splicing, component integration, and characterization

• 2+ years of professional laser beam characterization experience

• Experience with optical diagnostics, optical relays, and imaging

• Optical systems design and alignment (free-space optical)

• Experience with rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers

• Familiarity with fiber-optic communications modulation formats

• Experience operating OSAs, power meters, polarimeters, and high-speed oscilloscopes

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline

• Hands-on experience building and characterizing MOPA fiber amplifier chains

• Familiarity with SBS, SPM, and other nonlinearity effects in high-power fiber systems

• Experience with interferometric optical receivers or coherent detection front-ends

• 5+ years of experience in a laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics role

• Experience with free-space optical communications or LEO inter-satellite links

• Experience with environmental validation of space-based laser systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation)

• Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments

• Micro-optical bench experience

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $165,000 - $220,000 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.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• 10 paid holidays

• Unlimited paid time off

• Paid parental leave

• Relocation assistance if applicable

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.