Laser and Photonics Engineer

Location

San Carlos, California

San Carlos, California

Full time

On-site

Lasers/Optics

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 Lasers & Optics team is looking for a Laser & Photonics Engineer to design and build the next generation communication backbone to our orbital datacenters. This role requires hands‑on experience with fiber laser systems and a strong foundation in fiber‑optic component integration and characterization. You will work closely with optical, electrical, and systems engineers to bring up and verify the end‑to‑end communications link.

• Design and develop high‑power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space‑based applications.
• Characterize laser sources including linewidth, phase noise, RIN, and spectral purity.
• Select, integrate, and qualify fiber‑optic components and subsystems for integration into a space‑based platform.
• Perform and supervise fiber splicing and assembly of fiber‑optic sub‑assemblies.
• Model and measure fiber nonlinearity effects including SBS and SPM.
• Design and align coherent fiber‑optic receivers.
• Develop and execute test plans for optical performance verification including BER, eye diagrams, and spectral measurements.
• Generate design specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports.

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with fiber‑optic systems including splicing, component integration, and characterization.
• Experience with rare‑earth‑doped fiber amplifiers.
• Familiarity with fiber‑optic communications modulation formats.
• Experience operating OSAs, power meters, polarimeters, and high‑speed oscilloscopes.

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Hands‑on experience building and characterizing MOPA fiber amplifier chains.
• Familiarity with SBS, SPM, and other nonlinearity effects in high‑power fiber systems.
• Experience with interferometric optical receivers or coherent detection front‑ends.
• 5+ years of experience in a laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics role.
• Experience with free‑space optical communications or LEO inter‑satellite links.
• Experience with environmental validation of space‑based laser systems (thermal‑vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.

The salary range for this position is $110,000 - $150,000 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

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…