DSP Software Engineer

About the role

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.

The Role

We're looking for a DSP Software Engineer to develop the real-time signal processing algorithms that power our space-based communications and sensing systems. In this role, you'll design, implement, and optimize software that extracts, processes, and analyzes high-speed data streams in resource-constrained environments. You'll collaborate closely with FPGA, RF, avionics, and embedded software engineers to develop algorithms that enable reliable operation in one of the most challenging environments imaginable. This is an opportunity to own mission-critical software that directly impacts spacecraft performance and system capability.

Responsibilities

- Design, develop, and optimize real-time digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms for flight systems.

- Implement high-performance software in C/C++ for embedded and real-time applications.

- Develop algorithms for filtering, modulation, demodulation, synchronization, channel estimation, beamforming, and spectral analysis.

- Optimize signal processing software for latency, throughput, memory utilization, and power efficiency.

- Collaborate with FPGA engineers to partition algorithms between software and programmable logic.

- Work closely with RF, avionics, and systems engineering teams to integrate DSP capabilities into spacecraft hardware.

- Validate algorithms using simulation, laboratory testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments.

- Develop test frameworks and analysis tools using Python or MATLAB.

- Support system integration, debugging, and performance characterization during hardware bring-up and flight testing.

- Participate in architecture reviews, design documentation, and peer code reviews.

- Contribute to continuous integration and automated testing pipelines.

Basic Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field.

- 5+ years of professional experience developing DSP software.

- Strong programming skills in C/C++.

- Solid understanding of digital signal processing fundamentals.

- Experience implementing real-time algorithms on embedded processors.

- Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar environments for algorithm development and validation.

- Experience with Linux-based development environments.

- Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

- Experience developing DSP software for aerospace, satellite communications, radar, wireless communications, or defense systems.

- Knowledge of modulation schemes, error correction coding, synchronization, equalization, and adaptive filtering.

- Experience with beamforming, phased array systems, or software-defined radio (SDR).

- Experience optimizing software for ARM, x86, or heterogeneous compute platforms.

- Familiarity with CUDA, GPU acceleration, SIMD optimization, or multicore processing.

- Experience collaborating with FPGA development teams on hardware/software co-design.

- Knowledge of communication protocols and RF system architectures.

- Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $167,000 - $214,000 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.