Head of Analysis
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
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), 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.
About the Role:
We are looking for a Head of Analysis to build and lead the analysis organization within our Launch & Propulsion division. Reporting to the Head of Launch & Propulsion, you will be the technical authority for all analytical substantiation of our engines and vehicle structures—owning the methods, tools, standards, and team that produce the structural, thermal, and fluid dynamics analyses underpinning every design decision and flight-readiness argument. You will set the margins philosophy, define what “analyzed” means for this program, develop the toolchain that lets your team move at hardware speed, and build a world-class group of analysts who can substantiate aggressive designs with confidence and rigor.
Responsibilities:
Define and own the analysis philosophy for the program: factors of safety, margin policy, model fidelity requirements, and the standards that govern when a design is analytically cleared for build, test, and flight.
Develop the analysis-versus-test strategy with other leaders to make hardware within a high-test cadence understood and safe.
Build, lead, and develop a team of structural, thermal, and CFD analysts; establish roles, hire across experience levels, set career paths, and create a culture of analytical rigor when needed paired with engineering speed.
Lead structural analysis efforts across engines and vehicle systems—static strength, fatigue, fracture, buckling, dynamics, and life assessment—ensuring methods are appropriate to failure mode, hardware criticality, and program phase.
Lead thermal analysis for propulsion components (combustion devices, turbomachinery, nozzles, valves, etc) and vehicle systems (cryogenic insulation, TPS, avionics thermal management); define thermal models, boundary conditions, and correlation strategies.
Lead CFD efforts for internal and external flow: combustion modeling, injector analysis, nozzle performance, aerodynamic heating, base environments, and fluid system flow characterization.
Develop and maintain the analysis toolchain—commercial codes (such as ANSYS, Fluent, others), in-house solvers, automated workflows, and AI/ML-augmented methods—to enable rapid iteration and keep analysis cadence matched to design cadence.
Establish and analysis documentation standards: model descriptions, assumptions registers, verification and validation (V&V) evidence, and margin-of-safety reporting formats that support design reviews and flight-readiness arguments.
Own the correlation of analytical predictions with test and flight data; drive model updates when predictions diverge from reality, and maintain a lessons-learned database that prevents repeated errors.
Coordinate with design, test, manufacturing, and mission assurance teams to ensure analysis products arrive on schedule, inform design trades early, and close action items from reviews without bottlenecking hardware flow.
Present analysis substantiation at program milestones (PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR); represent the analysis organization to leadership, customers, and certification authorities with clarity and technical authority.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field
10+ years of experience in structural, thermal, or fluid dynamics analysis for aerospace or propulsion hardware, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership role managing a team of analysts.
Deep expertise in at least one analysis domain (structural, thermal, or CFD) with strong working knowledge of the other two—sufficient to set standards, review work, and make judgment calls across disciplines.
Proven ability to define analysis methodologies, factors of safety, and margin policies for flight hardware programs; experience substantiating designs through analysis for qualification and flight certification.
Proficiency with analysis software tools (e.g., ANSYS, Fluent, Star-CCM+, Nastran, Abaqus, Thermal Desktop, Sinda)
Experience onboarding analysis software tools and infrastructure and building or directing automated analysis workflows.
Track record of building and scaling an analysis team: hiring, mentoring, establishing processes, onboarding analysis tools, and delivering high-quality analysis products on aggressive schedules.
Strong communication skills: ability to present complex analytical results clearly at design reviews, defend margins and assumptions to chief engineers, and translate analysis findings into actionable design guidance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field
Direct experience analyzing rocket engines or propulsion components: combustion chambers, nozzles, turbopumps, injectors, or hot-gas manifolds—including coupled thermal-structural assessment under extreme temperature gradients and pressure loads.
Experience defining and executing model correlation campaigns using test data (strain gauges, thermocouples, DIC, modal survey); demonstrated ability to update models based on empirical results and quantify residual uncertainty.
Background in developing in-house analysis tools, parametric solvers, or AI/ML-augmented analysis methods (surrogate models, reduced-order models, automated meshing, or optimization loops) to accelerate the design-analysis cycle.
Familiarity with fracture mechanics, damage tolerance, and life-management programs for reusable propulsion and vehicle hardware (NASA-STD-5019, NASGRO, or equivalent).
Knowledge of relevant analysis and material standards: MMPDS/CMH-17 for allowables, NASA-STD-5001 for structural design, JANNAF for propulsion environments, and AIAA verification/validation guidelines.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $220,000 – $272,373 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.
Apply for this Job
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Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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), 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.
About the Role:
We are looking for a Head of Test to build and lead the test organization within our Propulsion & Launch division. Reporting to the Head of Propulsion & Launch, you will be responsible for standing up the facilities, infrastructure, teams, and processes needed to test rocket propulsion systems and vehicle stages at high cadence. You will define the test philosophy for the program—what to test, how to test it, and what “good” looks like—and then build the organization that executes against that standard. This is a ground-up leadership role: you will make foundational decisions on test stand architecture, data acquisition systems, control software, and staffing, and you will be accountable for delivering test results that feed directly into vehicle development and flight readiness.
Responsibilities:
Define and own the integrated test plan across propulsion (component, engine, and stage level) and vehicle stages—from development testing through acceptance and qualification—with clear objectives, success criteria, and cadence targets.
Design, build, and commission test stands and test cells for engine hot-fire, stage static-fire, pressurization system proof, and component-level acceptance testing; own the facility from concept through operational readiness.
Make architecture decisions for data acquisition (DAQ) systems, real-time control and sequencing software, and instrumentation standards; ensure the test infrastructure scales with program needs and supports rapid turnaround between tests.
Build, lead, and develop a team of test engineers, test conductors, instrumentation engineers, data analysts, and technicians; establish roles, career paths, and a culture of operational discipline and continuous improvement.
Establish test standards, procedures, and safety protocols across the launch organization; define redlines, commit criteria, abort logic, and post-test data review processes that become the program’s testing backbone.
Own test fixture and tooling design—thrust measurement systems, load frames, fluid interface panels, environmental conditioning equipment, and handling GSE—ensuring they meet measurement accuracy and schedule requirements.
Drive test campaign execution at high cadence: manage schedules, resolve hardware/facility issues in real time, and maintain a bias toward rapid iteration and short cycle times between anomaly and re-test.
Lead post-test data review, anomaly investigation, and root-cause analysis; ensure findings are fed back into design, manufacturing, and operations teams with clear corrective actions.
Manage test facility budgets, schedules, capital expenditure planning, and vendor/subcontractor relationships for construction, calibration services, and specialized test equipment procurement.
Coordinate with propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, and flight operations teams to align test campaigns with vehicle development milestones, flight readiness reviews, and launch schedules.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering field.
10+ years of experience in test engineering, test operations, or propulsion development, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and test facilities.
Direct experience designing, building, or operating rocket propulsion test stands (engine or stage level) including structural, fluid, and electrical systems.
Strong background in data acquisition systems architecture: sensor selection, signal conditioning, sampling rates, real-time data display, and post-test processing pipelines.
Experience with test control and sequencing systems—whether PLC/PAC-based, custom real-time software, or commercial platforms (NI, dSPACE, or equivalent)—for automated test execution and abort safing.
Demonstrated ability to build and scale a test organization: hiring, training, establishing procedures and safety culture, and driving operational cadence in a hardware-rich environment.
Hands-on experience executing hazardous test operations (propulsion hot-fire, pressurized systems, cryogenic operations) with a strong safety record.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience standing up a test facility from greenfield or near-greenfield: site selection input, facility design, permitting coordination, construction oversight, and operational activation.
Background in high-cadence test environments (multiple tests per week) with rapid turnaround processes, lean maintenance scheduling, and production-rate testing concepts.
Familiarity with test software development: real-time control code (C/C++, LabVIEW RT, or MATLAB/Simulink), automated data reduction scripts (Python), and health-monitoring/trending systems.
Experience with both liquid-propulsion and pressurized-gas systems testing, including cryogenic propellant handling (LOX, LCH4, LH2) and associated safety/environmental compliance (OSHA, EPA, NFPA, local AHJ).
Working knowledge of test measurement uncertainty analysis, calibration standards (ISO 17025), and thrust measurement system design (force measurement systems, load cells, calibration fixtures).
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $265,000 – $302,000 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 .
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.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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.
About the Role:
This is a high ownership role on a fast moving team! You will own the hydrodynamic design of the rocket engine's turbopumps: driving the engine- and vehicle-level design trades, predicting head, flow, efficiency, and suction margin across the operating box, following the hardware from concept through build, and proving its performance on the test stand. This includes inducers, impellers, diffusers and volutes, inlet and discharge flowpaths, the internal leakage and cavity flow network, and the axial thrust balance.
Responsibilities:
Own pump primary and secondary flowpath hydrodynamic design from concept through qualification.
Drive hydrodynamic design for maximum efficiency and suction performance while meeting head-rise, axial thrust, and rotordynamic requirements.
Ensure hardware meets performance across the full operating box—start transients, deep throttle, off-nominal inlet NPSH, and repeated cycles.
Lead hydrodynamic analysis (meanline/throughflow, single- and multiphase CFD) and validate against powerpack and engine test data.
Define and execute pump test campaigns.
Work directly with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve fabrication and assembly issues.
Support hot-fire operations, anomaly investigation, and post-test hardware inspection and design iteration improvement cycles.
Develop tools and best practices for the rest of the organization.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
12+ years of experience in turbomachinery hydrodynamic or aerodynamic design and analysis for flight hardware or high-performance rotating machinery.
Experience with pump sizing, specific speed and suction specific speed selection, blade and passage geometry definition, and material selection for pumped-fluid compatibility.
Experience with secondary flow and axial thrust analysis—leakage and cavity flow networks, balance piston, thrust piston, and wear ring sizing, seal and bearing coolant circuits, and net thrust balance across the operating box.
Hands-on experience taking rotating hardware from design through build and test.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with liquid cryogenic rocket engine turbopumps or reusable propulsion systems.
Strong background in cavitation and suction performance, including thermodynamic suppression head and cavitation instabilities.
Experience with turbine aerodynamics—nozzle and blade row design.
Experience integrating hydro, aero, secondary flow and/or thrust balance results with rotordynamics and structural teams.
Familiarity with cryogenic fluids and/or high-speed, high-power-density rotors.
Proficiency with CFD and meanline/throughflow tools and ability to correlate to real-world test data.
Experience mentoring or leading engineers.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $170,000 – $250,000 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 .
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.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Fluids Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
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), 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.
About the Role:
You will own the design and development of fluid system hardware for the vehicle’s propulsion, fluids, and/or thermal management architectures. This includes valves, regulators, fluid storage systems (tanks and pressure vessels), fluid routing (tubing, fittings, brackets, and manifolds), and integrated fluid subsystems. You will work across the full lifecycle—from concept and analysis through build, test, and flight—to deliver hardware that meets performance, mass, and reliability requirements in demanding launch and space environments.
Responsibilities:
Design valves (flow control, isolation, regulation, check, and relief) for propellant, pressurant, and thermal fluid systems used on propulsion and launch vehicle systems.
Develop fluid storage hardware including propellant tanks, pressure vessels, and accumulators from concept through qualification.
Design fluid routing architecture: tubing runs, manifolds, fittings, flex lines, and quick-disconnects for vehicle integration.
Own fluid subsystem layout and integration, ensuring compatibility across propulsion, thermal, and pneumatic systems.
Perform hydraulic and pneumatic analysis (pressure drop, flow distribution, water hammer, thermal transients) to size components and verify system performance.
Perform structural analysis (FEA, hand calcs) and validate with test and flight data.
Select materials compatible with propellants, pressures, and operating environments (cryogenic, high-pressure, corrosive).
Generate detailed component and assembly drawings, specifications, and interface control documents.
Support and execute component-level and system-level test campaigns (proof, burst, flow, leak, cycle life).
Work directly with manufacturing and technicians to resolve build issues, improve producibility, and support rapid iteration.
Support vehicle integration, fill/drain operations, and ground system interfaces.
Contribute to anomaly investigation, post-flight inspection, and design improvements for reuse and reliability.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering field.
3+ years of experience designing fluid system hardware (valves, regulators, tanks, tubing, or fittings) for flight or high-performance applications.
Experience with fluid system analysis: pressure drop, flow sizing, structural analysis of pressure vessels, or thermal-fluid modeling.
Hands-on experience taking hardware from design through build and test.
Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks) for detailed part and assembly design.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft propulsion fluid systems.
Familiarity with cryogenic fluid handling, storage, and insulation systems.
Experience designing or qualifying valves (solenoid, pneumatic, or mechanically actuated).
Knowledge of material compatibility with common propellants (LOX, methane, hydrazine, NTO) and pressurants (helium, nitrogen).
Experience with additive manufacturing or advanced fabrication methods for fluid components.
Familiarity with relevant industry standards (AIAA, SAE, MIL-spec, ASME pressure vessel codes).
Experience supporting propulsion hot-fire testing or vehicle fill/drain operations.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $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
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.
Apply for this Job
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Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Injector Design and Development Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
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), 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.
About the Role:
We are looking for an Injector Design and Development Engineer to own rocket engine injectors end to end—design, analysis, development, and validation. These injectors power the engines behind our own rockets and satellites, and they need to go from concept to hotfire fast. You will pair first-principles analytical design with hands-on manufacturing and test to drive rapid design/build/test cycles. The ideal candidate blends sharp analytical instincts with a builder’s mindset and a relentless focus on turning analysis into flight-ready hardware. This position is onsite in the greater Seattle, WA area.
Responsibilities:
Own injector hardware end to end, from first-principles sizing through flight operation.
Perform physics-based architecture trades within a given engine cycle and required performance, leading to design & analysis of Thrust Chamber Assembly piece parts
Select manufacturing methods and lead the build, iterating on the design across the full lifecycle
Plan and execute test campaigns, from component tests through full-engine hotfire
Analyze hotfire data and lead component redesigns to meet mission requirements
Partner with vehicle and test-stand engineers to keep the engine compatible with operational needs
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.
Strong command of first-principles thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and structural mechanics.
5+ years in mechanical design for manufacturing and rapid prototyping
Hands-on ownership of the rocket engine injector lifecycle
Preferred Qualifications:
Multiple cradle-to-grave cycles owning rocket engine injectors and/or TCA components
Analysis experience with Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, and/or Thermal Desktop
Experience using first principles to perform fluid system sizing, injector performance optimization (c*), and mitigation combustion stability concerns
Design for additive manufacturing, machining, and weld/braze processes
Experience planning, running, and analyzing rocket engine hotfire tests
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $130,000 – $180,000 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.
Apply for this Job
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Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Senior Loads and Dynamics Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
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), 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.
About the Role:
Serve as the technical authority for the loads and dynamic environments that define what the vehicle must survive. You'll own the load cases and dynamic models that drive structural sizing across ascent, stage separation, entry, landing, and reuse. As a senior individual contributor, you'll set the methodology, make the judgment calls on where to add fidelity and where to move fast, and raise the bar for the discipline by mentoring engineers and driving decisions across teams: ensuring the vehicle is neither over-built nor under-designed for the environments it actually sees.
Responsibilities
Own the vehicle loads as the discipline lead: quasi-static, transient, and dynamic load cases across ground handling, ascent, separation, entry, landing, and reuse.
Establish the methods, tools, and standards the loads and dynamics discipline works to.
Build and maintain structural dynamic models (FEM, modal, coupled loads) and reconcile them with test and flight data.
Define vibration, shock, acoustic, and random-vibe environments for components, mechanisms, and payloads.
Perform coupled loads analysis (CLA) and integrate propulsion, aero, GNC, and structural inputs into a consistent load set.
Deliver clear, timely load sets and interface requirements to structures, mechanisms, and propulsion teams.
Assess flutter, buffet, slosh, and other aeroelastic/coupled dynamic phenomena.
Support test planning and correlation—modal surveys, static and dynamic test campaigns—and update models from results.
Investigate anomalies and reconstruct flight loads from telemetry to improve future load predictions.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across the structures and mechanisms teams.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
8+ years of experience in loads, structural dynamics, or vibration analysis for flight hardware or high-performance systems.
Deep proficiency with finite element modeling and dynamic analysis (modal, transient, frequency response).
Demonstrated ownership of load cases and environments that drove the structural design of a flight vehicle or major system.
Proven ability to correlate models against test or flight data and adjust methodology accordingly.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
Experience with launch vehicles or reusable flight systems.
Hands-on experience owning coupled loads analysis (CLA) campaigns.
Familiarity with aeroelasticity (flutter, buffet) and coupled phenomena.
Experience defining and correlating vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.
Proficiency with tools such as Adams, LS-DYNA, or equivalent, plus scripting (Python/MATLAB) for load-set processing and automation.
Experience supporting structural test campaigns and modal surveys.
Track record of mentoring engineers and setting technical direction without formal authority.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $160,000 – $220,000 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.
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Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
Flight Termination System Engineer
Location
Greater Seattle Area
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Launch & Propulsion Engineering
Overview
Application
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), 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.
About the Role:
Serve as the technical authority for the flight safety system that determines when and how our launch vehicle terminates flight. You'll own the Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) end to end: the Range and FAA relationship, the flight safety analysis, the safety-critical avionics architecture, and the qualification and certification campaign. AFTS is one of the longest-lead, highest-consequence items on our path to first flight. You will work closely with the avionics team to define the safety-critical architecture including redundancy, navigation, power and telemetry. As a Staff-level individual contributor, you'll set the technical direction for Cowboy's flight safety discipline, establish engineering methodologies and standards, make the build-versus-integrate decisions, and own the range and regulatory interface directly.
Responsibilities
Own the flight safety system as the discipline lead: architecture, analysis, qualification, and certification from concept through flight readiness.
Actively participate in board- and system-level hardware design reviews, lead safety-related discussions, and serve as the go-to person for safety-related hardware design decisions.
Lead the AFTS relationship with Space Launch Delta 45 (Eastern Range) and the FAA/AST, and own the flight safety system approach within Cowboy's Part 450 application and associated safety data deliverables.
Make the build-versus-integrate decision, including integration of CASS (Core Autonomous Safety Software), and define the safety-critical avionics architecture in partnership with the avionics team.
Define the flight abort rules, hazard and debris footprint analysis, and mission data load, and verify abort logic through Monte Carlo and statistical methods.
Specify redundant flight computers, independent GPS/INS navigation, independent power, and independent telemetry and ordnance interfaces to RCC 319 and autonomous flight safety requirements.
Own the environmental qualification campaign—vibration, shock, thermal, and EMI—for flight safety hardware, and the verification evidence supporting certification.
Deliver clear, timely safety requirements and interfaces to avionics, GNC, propulsion, and structures teams.
Investigate anomalies and reconstruct flight safety performance from telemetry to improve future analysis and rule sets.
Establish the methods, tools, and standards the flight safety discipline works to.
Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across the avionics and GNC teams.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
8+ years of experience in flight safety systems, flight termination systems, avionics, or GNC for launch vehicles or flight hardware.
Direct, hands-on experience taking an autonomous flight termination or flight safety system through range certification on a launch vehicle.
Working knowledge of RCC 319, autonomous flight safety requirements, and FAA Part 450 flight safety system expectations.
Demonstrated ownership of flight safety analysis: flight abort rules, debris and hazard footprints, and statistical (Monte Carlo) verification.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.
Hands-on experience integrating CASS/AFSS onto vehicle avionics.
Experience on the Eastern Range (Space Launch Delta 45) specifically.
Experience bringing a new launch vehicle—rather than an established program—through first flight.
Familiarity with safety-critical avionics: redundancy architectures, GPS/INS navigation, and independent power and telemetry chains.
Hands-on qualification test experience for flight electronics (vibration, shock, thermal, EMI).
Proficiency with scripting (Python/MATLAB) for safety analysis and load-set processing.
Track record of mentoring engineers and setting technical direction without formal authority.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $157,000 – $206,000 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.
Apply for this Job
Powered by
Privacy PolicySecurityVulnerability Disclosure
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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.
About the Role:
As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through tests. You'll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of mechanisms that directly impact mission success.
Responsibilities:
Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data.
Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions.
Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time.
Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements.
Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test.
Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) for mechanism load-path and dynamic problems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications:
10+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Direct experience with separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators.
Experience with pyrotechnic or low-shock separation devices.
Hands-on prototyping and machining experience.
Familiarity with reusable vehicle design.
Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 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 .
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.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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.
About the Role:
As a Mechanisms Engineer, you will own a critical vehicle mechanism subsystem from concept through flight. Depending on your background and team priorities, your assignment will be separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or electromechanical actuation. This is a hands-on role at the center of vehicle hardware development. You will work closely with propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, and launch operations to design integrated systems, build hardware, and validate through tests. You'll be expected to move quickly, iterate often, and take full ownership of mechanisms that directly impact mission success.
Responsibilities:
Own your mechanism subsystem from concept through design, analysis, test, and flight.
Drive structural and kinematic design for minimum mass while meeting strength, stiffness, fatigue, and operational-life requirements across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse environments.
Balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in every design decision
Perform analysis — hand calculations, FEA, tolerance stack-ups — and validate predictions with test and flight data.
Define and execute qualification and acceptance test campaigns; author procedures, acceptance criteria, and anomaly dispositions.
Develop and maintain engineering drawings, models, and release documentation.
Work directly on the factory floor with manufacturing to iterate quickly and resolve build issues in real time.
Troubleshoot hardware anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement design improvements.
Support launch operations, post-flight inspection, and refurbishment planning.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, and test.
Strong fundamentals in structural mechanics, kinematics, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Proficiency with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo) and creating engineering drawings to ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards.
Proficiency with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or Abaqus) for mechanism load-path and dynamic problems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Preferred Qualifications:
10+ years of experience designing mechanisms or mechanical systems for flight vehicles or high-performance hardware.
Direct experience with separation systems, landing gear, aero control surfaces, or flight electromechanical actuators.
Experience with pyrotechnic or low-shock separation devices.
Hands-on prototyping and machining experience.
Familiarity with reusable vehicle design.
Experience at a fast-moving, hardware-focused startup or early-stage program.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 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 .
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.
Listed by Cowboy Space Corporation for a position based in the United States. Employers on this board attest they are hiring domestically.
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