Chief Test Architect, Propulsion & Launch

Doist; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 265,000 - 302,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental leave

Relocation aid

Lunch provided

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Head of Test to build and lead the test organization within the Propulsion & Launch division.

You will design and stand up test stands, write the test philosophy, and deliver results feeding vehicle development and flight readiness. You will oversee a team of test engineers, instrumentation specialists, and data analysts, shaping safety culture and operational cadence across high- stakes propulsion testing.

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 leadership.
• Direct experience designing, building, or operating rocket propulsion test stands (engine or stage level).
• Strong background in data acquisition systems architecture: sensors, conditioning, sampling, display, post-test processing.
• Experience with test control and sequencing systems (NI, dSPACE, PLC/PAC, or equivalent).
• Ability to build and scale a test organization: hiring, training, procedures, safety culture.
• Hands-on experience with hazardous test operations (propulsion hot-fire, cryogenic handling) with strong safety record.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the integrated test plan across propulsion and vehicle stages with clear objectives and cadence.
• Design, build, and commission test stands and test cells for engine hot-fire and stage tests; own the facility.
• Decide on DAQ, real-time control, and instrumentation standards to support rapid test turnaround.
• Build and develop a team of test engineers, analysts, and technicians with clear roles.
• Establish test standards, procedures, safety protocols, redlines, and post-test reviews.
• Own test fixture and tooling design to meet measurement accuracy and schedules.
• Drive high-cadence test campaigns and resolve issues in real time.
• Lead post-test data review, root-cause analysis, and feed findings to design and manufacturing teams.
• Manage facility budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships for equipment procurement.
• Coordinate with propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, and flight ops to align campaigns with milestones.

Skills

Leadership & management

Test engineering

Hazardous test ops

Data acquisition

Test control systems

Safety culture

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Electrical engineering

Tools

LabVIEW RT

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Head of Test to build and lead the test organization within the Propulsion & Launch division.

You will design and stand up test stands, write the test philosophy, and deliver results feeding vehicle development and flight readiness. You will oversee a team of test engineers, instrumentation specialists, and data analysts, shaping safety culture and operational cadence across high- stakes propulsion testing.