Senior Validation Engineer

Senior Compute Validation EngineerCowboy 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.The RoleThis role is highly hands-on. You will own validation strategy and work across electrical, firmware, thermal, mechanical, and system software teams to uncover and resolve failure modes during launch and after orbital deployment.ResponsibilitiesLead board bring-up and system validation for advanced edge compute platforms.Develop validation methodologies covering signal integrity, power integrity, power sequencing, thermal behavior, and system reliability.Debug complex hardware and firmware interactions across High-speed interconnects (PCIe, Nvidia NVLink, AMD XGMI), memory subsystems, BMC/SMC and HMC architectures.Perform detailed board analysis using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, protocol analyzers, and power instrumentation.Drive root-cause analysis for system failures discovered during validation and environmental testing.Design and validate interfaces using protocols such as I2C, SPI, and UART.Partner closely with mechanical, thermal, firmware, and software teams to ensure robust system integration.Help define engineering standards and validation processes for flight-ready compute hardware.Basic QualificationsExperience in board design review, system validation, or compute hardware engineering.5+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware systemStrong background in server, accelerated compute, or embedded compute platforms.Deep understanding of motherboard architecture, high-speed signaling, power delivery systems, and system management infrastructure.Extensive hands-on debugging experience at board and system level.Proficiency with lab equipment including oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.Experience with scripting or automation in Python, C/C++, or similar languages.Strong ownership mentality and ability to independently drive technical problems to resolution.Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.Preferred Qualifications8+ years of experience designing and building compute hardware systemExperience with remote management technologies such as Redfish or IPMI.Experience with spacecraft avionics, power systems, and thermal systemsExperience with environmental testing (vibe, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC)Radiation testing for LEO avionics backgroundTrack record of ownership and leadershipWhy This Role Is DifferentOwn critical hardware systems, not just a small componentFast iteration cycles with direct path from design to hardware testingWork closely across disciplines in a tightly integrated teamHigh autonomy and ownership with real impact on the spacecraftOpportunity to help define hardware systems for a new class of space infrastructure