GNC Engineer
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.
Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure. Cowboy Space Corporation overcomes these challenges by enabling direct, on-demand, secure, and scalable energy distribution and data processing from space. This will revolutionize how we operate in orbit and on Earth, supporting the rapidly expanding space industrial base, ISAM (In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing) operations, remote regions, and military bases.
Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father’s work with NASA Langley Research Center, Baiju earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Mathematics at Stanford before co-founding Robinhood, now a public company that has helped over 20 million Americans access the financial system. Cowboy Space Corporation has raised ~$365 million from Index Ventures, Interlagos, Construct Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and others.
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:
As a GNC Engineer at Cowboy Space, you will design and implement the algorithms that control how our spacecraft orient, navigate, and maneuver in orbit. Your work will directly impact pointing accuracy, orbital control, and overall mission performance.
This is a high-ownership role spanning modeling, simulation, flight software integration, and real-world testing. You’ll work closely with propulsion, hardware, and software teams to ensure GNC systems perform reliably from simulation to on-orbit operations.
Responsibilities:
Design and develop guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for spacecraft attitude and orbit control
Build high-fidelity simulations to model spacecraft dynamics, sensors, and actuators
Develop state estimation algorithms (e.g., Kalman filters) for navigation and attitude determination
Design control laws for pointing, stabilization, and orbital maneuvers
Collaborate with propulsion and hardware teams to integrate actuators and sensors into control systems
Work with software engineers to implement GNC algorithms into flight software
Validate system performance through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and real-world data
Support integration, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations
Analyze flight data, troubleshoot anomalies, and improve system performance over time
Contribute to system architecture decisions across vehicle and mission design
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience in GNC, controls, or related fields
Strong fundamentals in dynamics, control theory, and estimation
Experience with simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar)
Experience implementing or testing control systems in real-world or simulated environments
Ability to work in fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering teams
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field
Experience with spacecraft GNC systems or orbital mechanics
Familiarity with sensors such as star trackers, IMUs, and GPS
Experience with propulsion-integrated control systems
Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation
Background in high-reliability or mission-critical systems
Experience contributing to flight software or embedded systems
Compensation and Benefits
The 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 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.