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Salary: USD 125,000 - 175,000 / annual
Cowboy Space Corporation is building space-based solar energy infrastructure to solve the global energy crisis. The company designs modular, scalable satellites that collect sunlight in Low Earth Orbit and transmit energy via infrared lasers to Earth and other spacecraft, while also powering on-orbit computing clusters and providing secure optical data transport. Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), the company has raised ~$365 million from top-tier investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The team includes veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Astranis, and NASA.
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will own critical spacecraft hardware from concept through flight, designing structures, mechanisms, thermal systems, and packaging. This is a hands-on role at the center of hardware development, requiring you to work closely with propulsion, power, avionics, guidance/navigation/control, and software teams to design integrated systems, rapidly prototype, and validate through testing.
Key responsibilities include: designing mechanical components and assemblies for production; developing structures, mechanisms, and thermal solutions for space environments; performing FEA, thermal, and tolerance analysis; driving rapid prototyping and test cycles; collaborating cross-functionally on integrated system design; supporting integration, environmental testing, and launch readiness; troubleshooting hardware issues and implementing improvements; and working with suppliers on scalable manufacturing. You will balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule in all design decisions.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; 5+ years designing mechanical systems for aerospace or high-performance hardware; experience taking hardware from concept through build and test; strong fundamentals in mechanics, materials, and thermal systems; proficiency with CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks, or similar); and experience in fast-paced, hardware-focused environments.
Preferred qualifications include space environment design experience (thermal, vibration, vacuum), spacecraft structures/mechanisms/thermal systems background, FEA/thermal analysis tools expertise, hands-on prototyping/machining/test experience, high-growth hardware company background, and familiarity with integration, environmental testing, or launch operations.
Compensation: $125,000–$175,000 annually plus equity, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), paid time off, 10 paid holidays, paid parental leave, relocation assistance, and daily office lunch with fully stocked kitchen. ITAR compliance required: applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or eligible to obtain required State Department authorizations.
