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Cowboy Space Corp. is building orbital infrastructure to power and connect the space economy through Low Earth Orbit satellites. The company, founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (Robinhood co-founder) and backed by leading investors, is staffed by aerospace and defense veterans tackling complex technical challenges in space infrastructure.
The Head of Test will build and lead the test organization within the Propulsion & Launch division, reporting to the Head of Propulsion & Launch. This is a ground-up leadership role responsible for standing up facilities, infrastructure, teams, and processes to test rocket propulsion systems and vehicle stages at high cadence.
Key responsibilities include: defining the integrated test plan across propulsion (component, engine, and stage level) and vehicle stages with clear objectives and cadence targets; designing, building, and commissioning test stands and cells for engine hot-fire, stage static-fire, pressurization, and component testing; making architecture decisions for data acquisition systems, real-time control software, and instrumentation standards; building and leading a team of test engineers, conductors, instrumentation engineers, data analysts, and technicians; establishing test standards, procedures, and safety protocols; owning test fixture and tooling design; driving test campaign execution at high cadence; leading post-test data review and root-cause analysis; managing facility budgets and vendor relationships; and coordinating with propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, and flight operations teams.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering; 10+ years in test engineering, test operations, or propulsion development with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing teams and facilities; direct experience designing, building, or operating rocket propulsion test stands; strong background in data acquisition systems architecture; experience with test control and sequencing systems (PLC/PAC, real-time software, or commercial platforms); demonstrated ability to build and scale a test organization; and hands-on experience executing hazardous test operations with a strong safety record.
Preferred qualifications include: greenfield test facility stand-up experience; high-cadence test environment background; test software development familiarity; experience with liquid-propulsion and pressurized-gas systems testing including cryogenic propellant handling; and working knowledge of test measurement uncertainty analysis and thrust measurement system design.
