Cowboy Space – Senior Electrical Engineer, Radiation Effects & Avionics Reliability

Official Role Description: Cowboy Space

Senior Electrical Engineer, Radiation Effects & Reliability 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:As a Senior Electrical Engineer, Radiation Effects & Reliability, you will ensure our spacecraft electronics remain resilient against the harsh environment of space. You will own radiation assurance and reliability across electrical systems from architecture through on-orbit operations. In this hands-on role, you will lead radiation test campaigns, perform reliability analysis, and implement robust mitigation strategies. You’ll be expected to move quickly, translate complex environmental data into actionable design decisions, and take ownership of system-level resilience that directly impacts mission success.Responsibilities:Own radiation effects and reliability across spacecraft electrical systems—from early architecture through on-orbit operationsDefine radiation and reliability requirements, translating mission environments into component- and system-level specificationsPlan and execute radiation test campaigns (heavy ion, proton, gamma/TID) for components including FPGAs, ASICs, power electronics, and COTS partsCharacterize and analyze Single Event Effects (SEE), Total Ionizing Dose (TID), and displacement damage; document results and drive design decisionsDevelop and implement avionics reliability strategies, including redundancy, fault detection/isolation/recovery (FDIR), derating, and robustness in degraded modesDesign and implement mitigation techniques (e.g., ECC, watchdogs, latch-up protection, shielding) at both component and system levelsPerform reliability analyses such as FMEA/FMECA, fault tree analysis (FTA), and worst-case circuit analysis (WCCA)Establish and maintain approved parts lists (APL) with a focus on radiation performance, reliability, and supply chain considerationsModel radiation environments for LEO missions and conduct system-level risk assessments and margin analysesPartner cross-functionally with avionics, hardware, and software teams to ensure resilient, fault-tolerant system architecturesDrive radiation assurance and reliability processes across the full lifecycle—from design and qualification through launch and on-orbit operationsBasic Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field4+ years of experience in radiation effects, avionics reliability, or high-reliability electronicsHands-on experience with radiation testing (SEE, TID) and familiarity with test methodologies and data analysisExperience with reliability engineering methods (e.g., FMEA/FMECA, FTA, derating, WCCA)Strong understanding of electronic components (FPGAs, ASICs, power systems, mixed-signal circuits) and failure mechanisms in harsh environmentsAbility to translate test and analysis results into actionable design and system-level improvementsPreferred Qualifications:Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related fieldExperience designing, qualifying, or supporting spaceflight hardware (LEO, MEO, GEO, or deep space)Deep expertise in Single Event Effects (SEU, SEL, SET) and practical mitigation techniques in digital and power systemsFamiliarity with radiation environment and analysis tools (e.g., SPENVIS, OMERE, NOVICE) and standards (e.g., NASA, MIL-STD)Experience with rad-hard or rad-tolerant design, component derating, and system-level trade studies under mass/power constraintsBackground working in fast-paced, high-reliability environments with tight iteration cycles (e.g., aerospace, defense, advanced hardware startups)Proven ability to take ownership of ambiguous problems and drive cross-functional engineering decisionsCompensation and BenefitsThe salary range for this position is $150,000 – $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.Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance401(k) retirement savings planPaid time off10 paid holidays per calendar yearPaid parental leaveRelocation assistance if applicableDaily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacksITAR RequirementsExport 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.DisclaimerThis 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.