Head of Avionics

About the role

Cowboy Space Corp is building a new class of space infrastructure and needs a senior leader to own the avionics architecture across its spacecraft platform. The Head of Avionics will define, develop, and integrate flight‑critical systems that operate in real‑time, radiation‑hardened environments.

Key responsibilities

• Define the technical vision and roadmap for avionics hardware and software.
• Own system architecture, hardware interfaces, EMI/EMC compliance, and rapid test infrastructure.
• Build and lead a team of avionics engineers, setting standards and development processes.
• Drive end‑to‑end development from concept through flight‑readiness, including validation, HIL testing, and simulation.
• Collaborate with spacecraft, integration, and operations teams to ensure seamless subsystem integration.
• Guide component selection, vendor partnerships, and manufacturing processes.
• Represent avionics in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and executive discussions.

Required profile

• 10+ years of avionics engineering experience, preferably in space or defense.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven leadership in building and managing high‑performance engineering teams.
• Experience with real‑time, safety‑critical systems under strict power, thermal, and radiation constraints.

Required skills

• EMI/EMC compliance
• Embedded architecture design
• Hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL) testing
• Simulation environments for avionics validation
• Real‑time systems development
• Flight computer integration
• System integration and interface management