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Space Cowboy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aetherflux

Optical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Optical Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp: 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 ...

Aetherflux

Ordnance Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

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 ...

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Aetherflux

Senior Mechanical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior Mechanical Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp: Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect ...

Aetherflux

Firmware Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$130K - $185K/yr

Firmware Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight ...

Aetherflux

Avionics Technician

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$27.50 - $35/hr

Avionics Technician About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight ...

Aetherflux

GNC Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

GNC Engineer 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 ...

Aetherflux

Power Avionics Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

Power Avionics Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp: Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect ...

Aetherflux

Sr. Avionics Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior Avionics Engineer (Seattle ) 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 ...

Aetherflux

Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

Kent, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Senior Manager Primary Structures

Kent, WA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Sr. Avionics Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Senior Avionics Engineer (San Carlos, CA) 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 ...

Aetherflux

Intern, Electrical Engineering 2027

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$23 - $30.25/hr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Sr. TCA Mechanical Design Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$185K - $210K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Senior Platform Firmware Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$170K - $235K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

TCA & Thrusters Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Lead Propulsion Analyst

Kent, WA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Lead Propulsion Analyst

Kent, WA · On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

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 ...

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Space Cowboy information

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How much do space cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for space cowboy in the United States is $20.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a space cowboy?

Space Cowboys are fictional or stylized characters often depicted in science fiction media as adventurous individuals who explore and navigate outer space, typically in a manner reminiscent of traditional cowboys from the American West. They might be bounty hunters, pilots, or explorers who operate independently or in small crews, facing danger and seeking excitement among the stars. The term is popularized by movies, TV shows, and anime, most notably 'Cowboy Bebop.' While not a real-world occupation, the concept captures the spirit of adventure and rugged individualism applied to futuristic space settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a space cowboy, and why are they important?

I'm sorry, but 'Space Cowboy' is not a recognized real-world professional occupation, so I cannot provide an employment-related response.

What is the difference between Space Cowboy vs Space Pilot?

AspectSpace CowboySpace Pilot
Required CredentialsMinimal formal education, often self-taught or informal trainingCommercial or military pilot licenses, specialized training
Work EnvironmentSpace-themed entertainment, promotional events, or private space venturesSpacecraft operation, space agencies, commercial spaceflight
Industry UsageEntertainment, marketing, private space tourismAerospace, space agencies, commercial spaceflight companies

While both roles involve space-related activities, a Space Cowboy typically works in entertainment or promotional settings with informal training, whereas a Space Pilot operates spacecraft professionally, requiring formal licenses and training within the aerospace industry.

More about Space Cowboy jobs

What states have the most Space Cowboy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Space Cowboy jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Space Cowboy jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Space Cowboy jobs are:

Space Cowboy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Space Cowboy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,416 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Optical Engineer

Aetherflux

San Carlos, CA • On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Optical Engineer
About Cowboy Space Corp:
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:
The Lasers & Optics team is looking for an Optical Engineer to design and build the free-space optical path for our next generation laser communications system. This role spans the transmitter beam path, the ground receive telescope, and beam diagnostic systems. You will work closely with laser, mechanical, and systems engineers to deliver a working end-to-end optical link.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and optimize free-space optical assemblies including beam expanders, collimators, and telescope interfaces.
  • Build and maintain optical system models using Zemax or Code V, including tolerance and stray light analyses.
  • Define optical interface specifications for mechanical and opto-mechanical design.
  • Specify optical components, coatings, and filters, and manage procurement and acceptance testing.
  • Own the optical coupling efficiency budget from the receive telescope to the fiber injection point.
  • Perform structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analyses in coordination with mechanical and thermal engineers.
  • Define alignment budgets and verification procedures for deployable opto-mechanical subassemblies, accounting for structural compliance and launch loads.
  • Define alignment procedures and execute hands-on integration and alignment in the lab.
  • Generate design specifications, analysis reports, and test plans.

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
  • 3+ years of experience designing free-space optical systems.
  • Proficiency in Zemax or Code V.
  • Experience specifying, procuring, and acceptance testing custom optical components and coatings.
  • Experience with optical tolerance budgeting including Monte Carlo methods, alignment sensitivity analysis, and thermal/athermal analysis across operating temperature ranges.
  • Experience with structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis and multi-physics optical performance modeling.
  • Hands-on experience aligning and characterizing optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with fiber-to-free-space coupling and single-mode fiber injection.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering or Physics.
  • 5+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense optical systems role.
  • Experience with FSO communication.
  • Familiarity with adaptive optics.
  • Experience with alignment stability analysis for deployable or launch-survivable optical assemblies.
  • Experience with environmental validation of space-based optical systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
  • Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $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.

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