Embedded Software Engineer

The role

You will own real-time software for spacecraft subsystems including power distribution, thermal control, and avionics boards. Work spans the full lifecycle from board bring-up and driver development to supporting firmware updates on orbit.

What you will do

• Own embedded software for spacecraft subsystems from concept through on-orbit operations
• Design, develop, and debug real-time embedded software for microcontroller-based avionics boards in FreeRTOS and bare-metal environments
• Implement low-level drivers, peripheral interfaces, and real-time control loops
• Build and maintain software supporting board bring-up and firmware update mechanisms
• Integrate with and develop command and telemetry infrastructure
• Work at the software-to-hardware boundary by reading schematics and driving physical hardware
• Build fault-tolerant systems with attention to reliability and performance
• Support board bring-up, hardware integration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
• Develop automated test frameworks and validation tooling
• Collaborate with electrical, avionics, and software teams to define system architecture

Required qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in embedded software or firmware development
• Strong programming skills in C/C++ for embedded systems
• Experience developing for embedded microcontrollers, including RTOS-based or bare-metal environments
• Comfort working at the hardware boundary using debugging tools like JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Experience with hardware/software integration and board bring-up
• Ability to own a subsystem largely independently after ramp-up

Nice to have

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Experience developing embedded software for aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability systems
• Experience with common embedded communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN) and embedded networking stacks
• Experience building or working with firmware update and bootloader systems
• Understanding of fault-tolerant design, redundancy, and high-reliability system architecture
• Experience with HITL testing and system validation
• Familiarity with Python or scripting for test automation and tooling
• Interest or experience in Rust for embedded development
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-ownership environments
• Exposure to radiation-tolerant design considerations for space systems

Benefits

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• 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
• Fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Before you apply

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

About the company

Cowboy Space Corporation is building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient space-based solar energy. The company is based in San Carlos, CA.