Lab Manager, Avionics Hardware Verified today
About Cowboy Space Corp.
Cowboy Space Corporation is building infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. We design modular, scalable satellites that collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit to transmit energy via infrared lasers, power on-orbit GPU/TPU clusters, and provide secure optical data transport. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt and backed by Index Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, and others, we are headquartered in San Carlos, CA with a team that includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis, and NASA.
The Role
As the Avionics Hardware Development Lab Manager, you will oversee daily operations, safety, and organization of our avionics lab. This hybrid role combines operational leadership, inventory management, and hands-on technical execution including board rework, wire harness fabrication, and test setup.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a clean, organized, ESD-safe laboratory environment supporting rapid hardware development, integration, and testing
- Manage equipment procurement, calibration, maintenance, asset tracking, and troubleshooting of engineering test equipment
- Implement and enforce laboratory safety protocols for electrical safety, high-voltage systems, hazardous materials, and lab compliance
- Perform precision board-level assembly, soldering, rework, and repair of complex PCBAs including fine-pitch SMT, BGA, and high-density components
- Fabricate, modify, and repair custom wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and engineering fixtures from schematics and engineering documentation
- Apply conformal coatings, potting compounds, and environmental protection processes to flight hardware
- Manage inventory of electronic components, consumables, tooling, and raw materials
- Support engineering teams by assembling prototypes, configuring test benches, integrating instrumentation, and preparing hardware for functional, environmental, and qualification testing
- Assist with hardware integration, debugging, validation, and maintain documentation and lab procedures
- Partner with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to improve lab operations and accelerate hardware development
Basic Qualifications
- 3+ years experience managing a hardware development lab or electronics workshop, preferably in aerospace, defense, or automotive industries
- Exceptional manual soldering skills with proven experience in board-level rework of fine-pitch surface mount technology (SMT)
- Demonstrated experience building high-reliability wire harnesses including crimping, shielding, splicing, and connector termination
- Hands-on experience with conformal coatings, epoxies, and potting materials
- Documented experience or certification in High-Voltage Safety protocols and laboratory safety management
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with inventory management software or ERP systems for component tracking
- Associate degree in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience)
- Experience supporting environmental test campaigns such as thermal-vacuum and vibration testing for optical hardware
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $113,000 to $185,000 annually. Actual base salary depends on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
- 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 office and fully stocked kitchen
ITAR Requirements
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, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.