Avionics Test Engineer

About the role

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking an Avionics Test Engineer to lead validation, integration, and qualification of spacecraft electronics at both board and system levels. You will develop test systems and methodologies that verify avionics hardware throughout its lifecycle, collaborating closely with design, firmware, and manufacturing teams to ensure performance, reliability, and mission readiness.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute board‑level test plans for avionics, power electronics, communications, and compute hardware.
• Design and build automated test equipment (ATE), hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) rigs, and custom test fixtures.
• Perform bring‑up, validation, and troubleshooting of complex PCB assemblies.
• Create test software, scripts, and automation frameworks to increase coverage and manufacturing throughput.
• Characterize electrical performance, including power integrity, signal integrity, timing, and functional behavior.
• Support root‑cause investigations, failure analysis, and corrective actions for hardware issues.
• Collaborate with electrical and firmware engineers to debug hardware and system‑level problems.
• Assist with environmental qualification testing such as thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and thermal cycling.
• Analyze test results and generate detailed reports for design reviews and flight‑readiness assessments.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 1–5+ years of experience testing and validating complex electronic hardware.
• Hands‑on experience with board bring‑up, debugging, and failure analysis of PCB assemblies.
• Proficiency using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, and electronic loads.
• Experience developing automated test systems with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Strong understanding of digital electronics, analog circuits, power systems, and embedded hardware.

Required skills

• Python
• LabVIEW
• MATLAB
• Oscilloscopes
• Logic analyzers
• Spectrum analyzers
• Power supplies
• Electronic loads
• Board bring‑up
• PCB debugging
• Failure analysis
• Digital electronics
• Analog circuits
• Power systems
• Embedded hardware
• Test automation
• Hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL)
• Automated test equipment (ATE)