Head of Test - Space Propulsion & Launch

Cowboy Space; San Carlos (CA); On-site; CAD 370,000 - 421,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Daily lunch in office

Job summary

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

You will stand up facilities, teams, and processes to test rocket propulsion systems and vehicle stages at high cadence, and define the test philosophy and success criteria for the program. Reporting to the Head of Propulsion & Launch, you will make foundational decisions on test stand architecture, DAQ, control software, and staffing, delivering results that feed

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.
• Direct experience designing, building, or operating rocket propulsion test stands (engine or stage level).
• Strong background in data acquisition systems architecture (DAQ).
• Experience with test control and sequencing systems (NI, dSPACE, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale a test organization.
• Hands-on experience with hazardous test operations and 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 cells for engine hot-fire and stage tests; own the facility from concept to readiness.
• Decide on data acquisition, control software, and instrumentation standards; ensure scalability and rapid test turnaround.
• Lead a team of test engineers, conductors, instrumentation engineers, data analysts, and technicians; establish roles and career paths.
• Establish test standards, procedures, safety protocols, redlines, abort logic, and post-test reviews.
• Own test fixture and tooling design meeting measurement accuracy and schedule needs.
• Drive high cadence test campaigns and rapid iteration between tests.
• Lead post-test data review, root-cause analysis, and actions fed to design/manufacturing/ops.
• Manage budgets, schedules, capex, and vendor/subcontractor relationships for test infrastructure.
• Coordinate with propulsion, structures, fluids, avionics, and flight teams to align tests with milestones.

Skills

10+ years experience

Rocket test stands

DAQ architecture

Test control systems

Leadership

Hazardous testing

Facility build

High cadence testing

Test software

Cryogenic handling

Calibration/standards

Thrust measurement

LabVIEW RT

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related engineering

Tools

LabVIEW RT

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Job description

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

You will stand up facilities, teams, and processes to test rocket propulsion systems and vehicle stages at high cadence, and define the test philosophy and success criteria for the program. Reporting to the Head of Propulsion & Launch, you will make foundational decisions on test stand architecture, DAQ, control software, and staffing, delivering results that feed