Jobs at Cowboy Space Corporation

Own the full lifecycle design and development of launch-vehicle primary tanks and welded structures, from requirements and sizing through fabrication, qualification, testing, and flight. Design pressure vessels, tank components, weld joints, and interfaces; perform design trades and hand calculations; collaborate with analysis, manufacturing, welding, quality, and test teams; resolve hardware issues; support structural testing and failure investigations; lead design reviews and mentor engineers.

Build, align, and operate optical test setups for laser and optical communications hardware. Measure optical performance, analyze data, develop and execute test procedures, support satellite integration and field campaigns, automate measurements, investigate anomalies, and maintain calibration and configuration records. The role requires hands-on optics laboratory work, precision alignment, optical test equipment operation, Python-based analysis, and laser safety practices.

Design, develop, test, and support distributed ground station software written in Python and Go. Build simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing frameworks, integrate software with hardware, support on-orbit operations, debug cross-system anomalies, and contribute to architecture decisions. The role also involves launch preparation, operational tooling, code reviews, mentoring, and optimizing reliable software for resource-constrained, mission-critical environments.

Lead the reusable first-stage launch vehicle program across architecture, design, integration, testing, launch, recovery, refurbishment, and reflight. Own stage requirements, interfaces, technical performance, schedule, budget, verification, operational procedures, risk management, and upgrade planning. Integrate propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, GNC, software, manufacturing, and test teams while making real-time engineering decisions during test and launch operations.

Lead the selection, characterization, calibration, qualification, and integration of navigation sensor hardware for launch vehicles and spacecraft. Evaluate accelerometers, gyroscopes, IMUs, and GNSS receivers; define requirements; develop calibration and test methods; oversee environmental qualification and acceptance testing; resolve supplier and hardware issues; and coordinate avionics, manufacturing, RF, and navigation software integration.

Own RF communications systems and hardware for launch vehicles and spacecraft, including requirements, link budgets, radio and antenna selection, bring-up, environmental qualification, vehicle integration, testing, anomaly resolution, licensing support, and flight operations. Collaborate with suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams while developing RF test benches, automation, verification plans, and compatibility solutions.

Leads Cowboy Space Corp.'s marketing and communications function, defining market narrative, positioning, brand, campaigns, media relations, digital presence, social strategy, and events. Manages executive communications, supports crisis communications, oversees vendors and budgets, measures marketing performance, and develops integrated plans for milestones, fundraising, recruiting, partnerships, and thought leadership. The role also directly manages and coaches the Executive & Corporate Communications Partner while building the broader marketing function.

Own executive, corporate, media, social, and internal communications. Develop executive narratives, talking points, briefings, and media preparation; manage press releases, company announcements, digital channels, website strategy, reporter relationships, and crisis communications. Advise senior leaders, maintain consistent company messaging, identify visibility opportunities, and translate complex space technology topics into clear communications.

Own the pointing and tracking control loop for laser links between satellites and ground platforms. Design, implement, tune, simulate, and validate real-time embedded controllers in Rust, integrating onboard sensors and actuators. Perform stability analysis, HIL testing, automated validation, anomaly investigation, root cause analysis, and FDIR development. Collaborate with GNC, optics, avionics, and firmware teams on system architecture and hardware-software integration.

Own spacecraft mechanism subsystems from concept through flight, including structural and kinematic design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, testing, and anomaly resolution. Design HDRMs, solar array deployment systems, deployable structures, or thermal articulation mechanisms. Perform FEA, tolerance analysis, deployment dynamics, and qualification testing. Collaborate with cross-functional hardware teams, work directly with manufacturing and integration teams, and support launch operations and on-orbit commissioning.

Own real-time embedded software for spacecraft avionics, including power distribution and thermal control systems. Responsibilities include board bring-up, low-level driver and control-loop development, hardware/software debugging, command and telemetry integration, firmware updates, fault-tolerant design, automated testing, HITL validation, anomaly investigation, and cross-functional architecture work.

Design, develop, test, and debug software for spacecraft flight, embedded, ground, communications, and mission operations systems. Build simulation and hardware-in-the-loop frameworks, collaborate with hardware and systems teams, resolve integration issues, and contribute to code reviews, documentation, testing, and engineering practices.

Design and own rocket engine TCA hardware through requirements, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and flight qualification. Responsibilities include mechanical design, FEA, tolerance analysis, tooling and fixture design, advanced manufacturing process development, hotfire test execution, documentation, and rapid redesign. The engineer works closely with propulsion, manufacturing, machinists, welders, technicians, and test teams in an onsite shop and laboratory environment.

Establish manufacturing processes for rocket engine hardware and help build a factory from the ground up. Own DFM strategy, production methods, equipment selection, tooling, fixtures, process qualification, supplier coordination, build documentation, and production readiness. Lead hardware delivery, yield, cycle time, configuration tracking, nonconformance disposition, rework, repair, and root-cause resolution. Support facility planning, qualify new processes, and mentor manufacturing engineers.

Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Intern supporting spacecraft mechanical systems, including structural, thermal, and mechanical design; hardware testing; integration and assembly; test-data analysis; fabrication coordination; engineering documentation; and cross-functional issue resolution. The role is hands-on and on-site in Kent, Washington, contributing to flight hardware for space-based solar power systems.

Own end-to-end sourcing, purchase orders, supplier negotiations, vendor management, and procurement workflows for mission-critical hardware programs. Analyze supplier performance, spend, and delivery metrics using data tools; drive cost reductions, process improvements, and procurement automation. Partner with engineering, finance, and operations to support hardware development and production while ensuring compliant purchasing packages and reliable material availability.

Hands-on launch engineering internship focused on powerpack, mechanisms, fluids, or thrust-chamber systems. Interns own a component, analysis, or test from definition through completion; create CAD models and GD&T drawings; perform calculations and FEA; support hardware fabrication and testing; analyze test data; troubleshoot issues; and present results. Work involves close collaboration with engineers, machinists, and technicians in a hardware development environment.

Owns spacecraft ordnance and energetic systems from architecture and hardware selection through qualification, flight operations, and ground safety. Responsibilities include designing initiation chains, analyzing firing margins and susceptibility, qualifying pyro devices, managing hazard classification and explosive site planning, and ensuring ATF, DOT, DoD, and ITAR compliance. The role also establishes storage, handling, shipping, licensing, and operating procedures for a new ordnance discipline, including reusable-vehicle safing and requalification.

Designs and owns spacecraft mechanical hardware from concept through production and flight. Responsibilities include developing structures, mechanisms, thermal systems, drawings, and engineering documentation; performing FEA, thermal, and tolerance analyses; prototyping and testing; supporting integration and launch readiness; troubleshooting hardware; and collaborating with suppliers, manufacturers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Lead propulsion analysis for rocket engines and vehicles using FEA, CFD, thermal, static, dynamic, and fatigue simulations. Develop and enforce modeling standards, collaborate with design, hardware, and test teams, validate models against physical results, drive design improvements, and produce clear technical documentation. The role is onsite in Seattle and requires strong multiphysics simulation, numerical analysis, and thermal/fluid network expertise.