Senior Integration & Test Engineer

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 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:

We’re looking for an Senior Integration & Test Engineer to own the end-to-end validation of our hardware systems. You will be responsible for bringing up, integrating, and testing complex electro-mechanical and avionics systems—ensuring they perform reliably in mission-critical environments.

This role is highly hands-on and cross-functional, working closely with hardware, avionics, and software teams to take systems from prototype through flight readiness.

Responsibilities:

• Own system-level integration and test of hardware and avionics systems

• Design, build, and maintain test infrastructure (racks, fixtures, harnessing, and tooling)

• Develop automated and manual test procedures for board- and system-level validation

• Lead bring-up and debug of electrical systems, including root cause analysis and failure investigation

• Execute environmental and functional testing (thermal, vibration, DVE, etc.)

• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to validate performance

• Drive improvements in test coverage, reliability, and scalability of test systems

• Support flight qualification and launch readiness activities

• Support launch campaign operations including payload integration checkouts, pre-flight verification, and real-time anomaly resolution.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience with integration, test, or validation of hardware systems

• Strong hands-on experience with test automation, instrumentation, and lab equipment

• Experience building test setups: fixtures, harnessing, racks, and data acquisition systems

• Background in avionics board-level testing and debugging (power, signal integrity, communications)

• Familiarity with scripting (Python or similar) for test automation

• Experience with RF, sensors, LiDAR, or avionics systems is a plus

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and interface control documents

• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with high ownership

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting complex hardware or engineering programs

• Background in high-growth or deeply technical organizations

• Experience managing high-value spend portfolios or vendor-owned inventory agreements

• Familiarity with automation tools or process optimization within procurement workflows

• Prior experience in aerospace, space, or other frontier technology industries

• Background in environmental testing methods including thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $125,000 – $200,000 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

• Paid time off

• 10 paid holidays per calendar year

• 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.