Jobs at Cowboy Space Corporation

Design and implement motor control and embedded real-time firmware for fluid system valves, pumps, and actuators. Develop closed-loop controllers, automated fill/drain/vent sequences, FDIR logic, HIL testing, and system-level validation. Integrate sensors, actuators, and control electronics; support propulsion hot-fire tests, ground ops, anomaly investigation, and cross-team integration with avionics and software.

Lead and build Cowboy Space's export compliance program (ITAR/EAR/OFAC). Own classification, licensing, TCPs, denied-party screening, audits, training, and partner with engineering, supply chain, and leadership to enable compliant international operations.

Work across spacecraft engineering disciplines—design, build, integrate, test, and operate satellite systems (avionics, power, thermal, structures, GNC, payloads, flight software and ground systems). Hands-on, mission-critical hardware responsibility in a fast-moving startup environment.

Design, develop, and integrate spacecraft subsystems (structures, power, thermal, avionics). Lead system-level trade studies, CAD/FEA modeling, integration and environmental testing, prepare technical documentation and ICDs, and support PDR/CDR and cross-functional teams through integration and test campaigns.

Design, implement, and validate spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control algorithms. Build high-fidelity simulations and state estimators, integrate with sensors/actuators and flight software, support HIL testing, launch preparation, on-orbit operations, and flight-data analysis to improve system performance.

Design, build, test, and operate launch vehicle systems and flight hardware across disciplines including structures, avionics, propulsion, fluids/thermal, integration, manufacturing, and ground/launch operations. Work spans design, integration, test, and operations in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with ownership over mission-critical aerospace hardware.

Perform system-level modeling, simulation, and trade studies across spacecraft subsystems (structural, thermal, radiation, power, MMOD, optics, etc.). Provide analysis-driven requirements, verification strategies, test correlation, and design recommendations. Collaborate cross-functionally, maintain documentation and models, support environmental qualification and on-orbit performance predictions, and present findings in design reviews.

Lead mechanical design of spacecraft components from concept through flight-ready production. Design structures, mechanisms, and thermal solutions; perform FEA and thermal analysis; prototype, test, and validate hardware; support integration, environmental testing, and launch readiness; troubleshoot failures and work with suppliers to scale production.

Lead and operate Talent Acquisition across the company: own full-cycle recruiting for technical, manufacturing, operational, executive, and business roles; manage recruiters and external agencies; build recruiting infrastructure, ATS workflows, analytics, dashboards, and hiring processes; and source senior, hard-to-fill technical talent during rapid growth.

Lead design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of vehicle primary structures and mechanisms including airframe, tanks, landing systems, aerodynamic surfaces, and stage separation. Optimize for minimum mass and high reliability across ascent, entry, landing, and reuse. Direct structural analysis (FEA, hand calcs), test campaigns, manufacturing iteration, anomaly investigations, and team leadership.

Design, simulate, and validate guidance, navigation, and control systems for an orbital-class launch vehicle. Develop 6-DOF dynamics simulations, implement control algorithms in Python/C++, analyze trajectories and dispersions, perform HIL and Monte Carlo testing, and support launch and mission operations.

Lead prediction and management of aerodynamic heating for launch vehicle ascent and re-entry. Run viscous, reacting-flow CFD, define aeroheating environments and boundary conditions, size TPS, manage aeroheating databases, plan and correlate ground/flight tests, and communicate results across multidisciplinary teams.

Own full-cycle recruiting for technical, manufacturing, operational, and business-critical roles. Source passive candidates, build pipelines, manage ATS hygiene, coordinate interviews, drive candidate experience, partner with hiring managers and leadership, and close competitive hires for deep‑tech and aerospace roles.

Lead development and analysis of launch and spacecraft trajectories, orbital propagation and station-keeping, mission design and contingency planning, flight dynamics simulation tooling, and cross-disciplinary systems investigations to validate guidance and control profiles.

Own onsite workplace operations and employee experience, coordinate onboarding and internship programs, support People operations and cross-functional logistics, ensure candidate and visitor hospitality, and improve People processes during rapid startup growth.

Lead design, development, and testing of payload flight software in Rust for attitude/pointing, command handling, telemetry, and data storage. Define architecture and coding conventions, implement FDIR, build automated test infrastructure (simulation/HIL), integrate with GNC/avionics/electrical teams, support integration, launch, and on-orbit ops, investigate anomalies, and mentor other engineers to achieve a near-term on-orbit demonstration.

Design and implement motor controls, embedded firmware, and closed-loop control for spacecraft fluid systems. Develop automated fill/drain/vent sequences, perform modeling and HIL testing, integrate sensors and actuators, create FDIR logic, and support integration, hot-fire testing, and anomaly investigation to deliver flight-ready control solutions.

Build and lead the Launch & Propulsion analysis organization: define analysis philosophy and margin policy; oversee structural, thermal, and CFD analyses; develop toolchain and automated workflows; correlate models with test/flight data; hire and grow the team; set documentation and V&V standards; coordinate with design, test, manufacturing, and assurance; and present substantiation at program milestones.

Lead end-to-end mechanical design and manufacturing for TCA rocket engine components. Drive DFM-focused design, tooling and fixture creation, implement advanced fabrication (additive, CNC, EDM, specialized joining), develop process parameters, and plan/execute hotfire test campaigns with analysis and rapid redesign for flight qualification.

Lead design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing integration for the vehicle primary structures (airframe, tanks, thrust structure, interstages). Optimize for minimum mass, strength, stiffness, fatigue, thermal resilience, and rapid reuse. Drive FEA and hand calculations, execute structural test campaigns, close failure modes through rapid design-test-learn cycles, and support flight operations and refurbishment.