Cowboy Space

Controls Software Engineer, Pointing & Tracking

$170K–$192K

San Carlos, California · On-site · Full-time · Posted Oct 9, 2026

Experience: 3+ years in control systems, GNC, robotics, or embedded software development, or equivalent practical experience.
Education: Preferred: Bachelor's or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field.
Visa sponsorship: 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 U.S. Department of State authorizations.

About the job

Own and develop real-time embedded control software that precisely points laser links between moving satellite and ground platforms.

Design, tune, and analyze closed-loop pointing controllers; own the control loop from design through on-orbit operations.
Build simulation, analysis, and automated test tools; support hardware integration and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Investigate anomalies, develop fault detection and recovery strategies, and coordinate pointing architecture across engineering teams.

Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and tuning closed-loop control systems; strong understanding of control theory.
Strong programming skills in a systems language such as Rust, C, or C++, with willingness to work in Rust.
Experience implementing control algorithms in real-time or embedded contexts.
Experience integrating software with sensors and actuators, including debugging across hardware/software boundaries.

Experience with precision pointing, tracking, stabilization, or gimbal control systems.
Experience with spacecraft GNC, Rust, control-system modeling/simulation, HIL testing, sensor fusion, or fault-tolerant systems.

$170,000 - $192,000 annually (base salary)

Rust, C, C++, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Kalman filters

Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative