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Space Cowboy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

Lead Propulsion Analyst

Seattle, 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

Thermal Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Thermal 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 ...

Socket.dev

Head of Materials & Process

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160 - $227/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

Software Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Software 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 enable ...

Aetherflux

PCB Layout Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$128K - $160K/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

Avionics Test Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/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

Principal Turbo Hydrodynamicist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$170K - $250K/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

Flight Termination System Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$157K - $206K/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

Head of Materials & Process

Seattle, WA · On-site

$160K - $227K/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 ...

Socket.dev

Senior GNC Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

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 ...

Aetherflux

Head of Talent Acquisition

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$125K - $172K/yr

Head of Talent Acquisition About Cowboy Space Corporation Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to ...

Aetherflux

Avionics Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

About Cowboy Space Corp. Cowboy Space Corp is solving the global energy crisis by building the infrastructure for abundant, resilient, and continuous space-based solar energy. We are tackling ...

Aetherflux

Senior Spacecraft Analysis Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

Senior Spacecraft Analysis 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 ...

Aetherflux

Sr. Software Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Sr. Software 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 ...

Socket.dev

Senior Loads and Dynamics Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$95 - $130/hr

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 ...

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Space Cowboy information

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How much do space cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 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 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.

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.
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 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,416 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

Aetherflux

San Carlos, CA • On-site

$145K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

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 Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser communications system. This is a hands-on role at the center of our hardware development - you will work directly alongside optical and photonics engineers during complex builds, alignments, and verification campaigns. The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly organized, and at home in a high-power laser lab.
Responsibilities:
  • Own lab operations including equipment calibration schedules, inventory, and configuration management of test setups.
  • Maintain laser safety requirements including interlocks, PPE, and posted procedures in coordination with the Laser Safety Officer.
  • Assist engineers with setup and alignment of free-space optical assemblies, interferometric subassemblies, and fiber-optic components.
  • Support integration and alignment of deployable opto-mechanical assemblies.
  • Support field demonstration campaigns including ground station setup, fiber-optic system checkout, and pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) system validation.
  • Execute formal test procedures and record results accurately.
  • Operate test equipment including OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, and beam profilers.
  • Maintain lab documentation including cable and fiber routing logs, component records, and test configurations.
  • Coordinate with facilities on lab infrastructure, power, and safety requirements.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optical or photonics lab environment.
  • Experience operating standard optical test equipment (OSAs, power meters, oscilloscopes, beam profilers).
  • Ability to perform precision optical alignment on a bench.
  • Familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety requirements.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with high-power fiber laser or amplifier systems.
  • Experience handling and assembling precision opto-mechanical hardware including interferometric or polarization-sensitive assemblies.
  • Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum, vibration) for optical hardware.
  • Experience managing a shared lab across multiple engineers and programs.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Optical Technology, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $223,000 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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