{"id":182099,"url":"https://alion.io/job/cowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf","title":"Staff Engineer, Optics & RF","company":{"id":8929,"name":"Cowboy Space","domain":"cowboyspace.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/cowboyspace","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":70,"open_postings":5,"ghost_share":0.2,"stale_share":0.6,"repost_share":0.2,"time_to_fill_p50_days":48,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["San Carlos, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":219000,"max":276000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":276000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Cadence Allegro","optional":false},{"name":"TPU","optional":false},{"name":"Altium Designer","optional":true},{"name":"Ansys HFSS","optional":true},{"name":"Keysight ADS","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-24T21:52:56Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-15","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T00:26:28Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":89,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":89},"description":"About Cowboy Space Corp:\nMission\nCowboy 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.\nBackground\nCowboy 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.\nCurrent 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.\nBaiju 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.\nThis 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.\nAbout the Role:\nThe Avionics Team is looking for an RF Engineer to design, develop, and validate the RF hardware that enables communication, telemetry, command and control, and high-bandwidth data transport across our spacecraft platforms. This role is heavily focused on board-level RF design and integration, working closely with electrical, PCB layout, firmware, and test engineers to deliver high-performance RF subsystems capable of operating reliably in the space environment. You will own RF circuitry from architecture through flight qualification, helping build the communications backbone of the orbital economy.\nResponsibilities:\nDesign RF driver and receiver circuitry for optical communication links supporting data rates upto 50 Gbps\n\nDevelop end-to-end RF signal chain architecture for laser diode drivers, modulators, and photodetector front-ends\n\nDesign and lay out high-speed RF/analog PCBs, including specialized stack-ups tailored for RF signal integrity and impedance control\n\nPerform signal integrity analysis, including impedance matching, crosstalk mitigation, and eye-diagram/jitter optimization for high-speed links\n\nCollaborate with optics and photonics engineers to co-design electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical interfaces\n\nSupport the design, integration, and testing of free-space optical communication terminals, including transmitter and receiver electronics\n\nConduct RF circuit simulation (S-parameter analysis, transmission line modeling) and validate designs through lab measurement and characterization\n\nDebug and troubleshoot high-speed RF/optical link performance issues in lab and field test environments\n\nWork closely with mechanical, thermal, and systems engineering teams to integrate RF/optical subsystems into complete communication terminals\n\nDocument design decisions, test results, and contribute to design reviews and technical roadmaps\n\nStay current with advances in optical communication technology, RF driver ICs, and opto-electronic component development\n\nBasic Qualifications:\nBachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Photonics, or related field\n\n5+ years of professional experience designing RF circuitry for high-speed communication systems\n\nHands-on experience designing RF circuits to drive optical communication links (laser drivers, TIAs, modulator drivers)\n\nDirect experience with free-space/open-space laser communication systems\n\nProven experience working with high-speed RF communication links in the 1 Gbps to 50 Gbps range\n\nStrong PCB design and layout experience for RF circuitry, including familiarity with specialized RF PCB stack-ups (e.g., mixed dielectric, controlled impedance, RF-grade laminates)\n\nSolid understanding of RF transmission line theory, impedance matching, and high-speed signal integrity principles\n\nProficiency with RF simulation and design tools (ADS, HFSS, or equivalent) and PCB design tools (Altium, Cadence Allegro)\n\nExperience with lab test and measurement equipment for high-speed RF characterization (network analyzers, BERTs, oscilloscopes, eye-diagram analysis)\n\nStrong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex RF/optical system issues\n\nEffective communicator able to collaborate cross-functionally with optics, mechanical, and systems teams\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\nKnowledge and hands-on experience with opto-silicon (silicon photonics) design and integration\n\nExperience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant RF/optical hardware design\n\nFamiliarity with laser diode driver ICs, transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), and high-speed modulator technologies\n\nBackground in coherent or direct-detection optical communication link design\n\nExperience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystems for free-space optical terminals\n\nUnderstanding of link budget analysis and optical power/noise trade-offs for free-space channels\n\nFamiliarity with fiber-optic component integration (photodiodes, laser diodes, optical amplifiers)\n\nExperience with EMI/EMC mitigation techniques for high-speed RF/optical systems\n\nPublications or patents related to RF/optical communication system design\n\nTechnical Skills & Tools:\nRF/EM simulation: Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, or equivalent\n\nPCB design: Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or equivalent\n\nSignal integrity analysis: S-parameters, TDR, eye-diagram/jitter analysis\n\nTest & measurement: Vector network analyzers, BERTs, high-speed oscilloscopes, optical power meters\n\nOptical component familiarity: laser diodes, photodetectors, TIAs, modulators\n\nCompensation and Benefits:\nThe salary range for this position is $219,000 - $276,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.\nEquity in Cowboy Space Corp.\n\nEmployees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance\n\n401(k) retirement savings plan\n\nPaid time off\n\n10 paid holidays per calendar year\n\nPaid parental leave\n\nRelocation assistance if applicable\n\nDaily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks\n\nITAR Requirements:\nExport 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.\nDisclaimer:\nThis 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.\nCowboy 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8820,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Parental leave","Relocation assistance","Retirement plans","Vision insurance"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Satellite Manufacturing","Space Services","AI Compute & Inference"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-01T00:56:37Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":33,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.74,"p_room":0.45,"age_days":88,"expected_fill_days":48,"reasons":["conf:0","velocity","win:tail"],"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":276000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/cowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/cowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T02:59:11Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2594,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":8929},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=8929"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fcowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fcowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fcowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/cowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fcowboyspace-staff-engineer-optics-and-rf"}]}