Job description

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 Current energy and data systems rely on complex logistics and outdated infrastructure.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: We are looking for a Wiring Harness Engineer to design and integrate robust electrical harnessing systems for our spacecraft platforms. This role will own the end-to-end cable harness architecture, design, routing, and manufacturing processes across our flight and ground systems. You will design hardware that survives harsh launch vibrations and thermal vacuum conditions in space. You will work closely with avionics, mechanical, and optical teams to route power, high-speed data, and optical signals reliably through tight spacecraft volumes. This is a hands-on technical role with high ownership over harness design, prototyping, testing, and flight integration. Responsibilities - Own the technical roadmap and architecture for electrical and optical harnessing across all spacecraft platforms. - Create detailed harness schematics, routing diagrams, 3D CAD models, and manufacturing drawings. - Design robust cable harness assemblies which meet strict mass, volume, and thermal constraints. - Select space-rated connectors, wire types, shielding materials, and other harness components. - Define comprehensive electrical harness testing protocols and lead their execution to validate flight readiness and system reliability. - Lead prototype assembly, environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum), and qualification of harness hardware. - Collaborate with mechanical and optical teams to ensure proper clearance, strain relief, and mechanical interface compatibility. - Support integration and test campaigns on the manufacturing floor and during final spacecraft assembly. Basic Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. - 2+ years of experience designing and routing complex wire harness assemblies for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware. - Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and dedicated harness routing modules. - Experience creating detailed manufacturing drawings, flat patterns, and engineering bills of materials (BOM). - Hands-on experience building, prototyping, and troubleshooting wire harnesses or mechanical assemblies. Preferred Qualifications - 5+ years of experience designing and routing complex wire harness assemblies for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware. - Familiarity with Altium Designer for interpreting electrical schematics and defining harness pin-outs - Deep knowledge of space-industry harness standards, including NASA-STD-8739.4 or IPC-WHMA-A-620 space addendum. - Familiarity with EMI/EMC shielding techniques and grounding methodologies for aerospace systems. - Experience managing spacecraft hardware through environmental test cycles, including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing. - Experience designing fiber-optic harnesses, handling optical fibers, and selecting space-rated optical connectors. - Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment with cross-functional technical teams. Compensation and Benefits The salary range for this position is $100,000-$135,000 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 deccs.pmddtc.state.gov. 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.

Requirements

Must-haves

This is a hands-on technical role with high ownership over harness design, prototyping, testing, and flight integration.
Own the technical roadmap and architecture for electrical and optical harnessing across all spacecraft platforms.
Create detailed harness schematics, routing diagrams, 3D CAD models, and manufacturing drawings.
Design robust cable harness assemblies which meet strict mass, volume, and thermal constraints.
Select space-rated connectors, wire types, shielding materials, and other harness components.
Define comprehensive electrical harness testing protocols and lead their execution to validate flight readiness and system reliability.
Lead prototype assembly, environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum), and qualification of harness hardware.
Collaborate with mechanical and optical teams to ensure proper clearance, strain relief, and mechanical interface compatibility.
Support integration and test campaigns on the manufacturing floor and during final spacecraft assembly.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
2+ years of experience designing and routing complex wire harness assemblies for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware.
Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., NX, CATIA, SolidWorks) and dedicated harness routing modules.
Experience creating detailed manufacturing drawings, flat patterns, and engineering bills of materials (BOM).
Hands-on experience building, prototyping, and troubleshooting wire harnesses or mechanical assemblies.
5+ years of experience designing and routing complex wire harness assemblies for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability hardware.

Nice-to-haves

Familiarity with Altium Designer for interpreting electrical schematics and defining harness pin-outs
Deep knowledge of space-industry harness standards, including NASA-STD-8739.4 or IPC-WHMA-A-620 space addendum.
Familiarity with EMI/EMC shielding techniques and grounding methodologies for aerospace systems.
Experience managing spacecraft hardware through environmental test cycles, including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
Experience designing fiber-optic harnesses, handling optical fibers, and selecting space-rated optical connectors.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment with cross-functional technical teams.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: ashby
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave