Lead Mechanical Engineer, Compute Systems

Cowboy Space Corp.; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per calendar year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Office lunch in the office and snacks

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy, developing space-based compute hardware for LEO satellites.

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will own packaging, chassis design, thermal management, and structural qualification, guiding a team of mechanical engineers across the full hardware lifecycle. The role demands hands-on integration, end-to-end development, and collaboration with electrical and spacecraft teams to ensure reliable, high-performance

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years on flight hardware for aerospace/high-reliability programs.
• Technical lead or authority on electronics enclosures or compute hardware design.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX/SolidWorks) and GD&T; experienced with structural analysis and thermal modeling.
• Experience taking flight hardware through environmental qualification (vibration, thermal-vacuum).
• Experience managing direct reports or leading a technical team.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of space-based compute hardware from concept to production.
• Lead system-level trade studies on packaging, mass, and thermal performance.
• Mentor a team of mechanical engineers and set technical direction.
• Define interfaces and budgets for compute and power electronics assemblies.
• Drive structural and thermal analysis with analysts to meet requirements.
• Develop mechanical drawings, GD&T specs, and ICDs for manufacturers and vendors.
• Execute mechanical integration and test plans, including environmental qualification.
• Represent the mechanical team in design reviews and cross-functional discussions.
• Collaborate with electrical, thermal, and spacecraft teams to ensure interface compatibility.

Skills

5+ years experience

Technical lead

Team leadership

Space hardware familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NX CAD

SolidWorks

GD&T

Thermal modeling tools

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

About the Role:

The Payload Mechanical team is looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to act as the responsible engineer for the structural and thermal-mechanical design of our space-based compute hardware. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert with deep experience in high-reliability space systems, comfortable driving everything from packaging architecture and thermal trade studies to hands-on hardware integration and qualification. This role covers electronics packaging, chassis design, thermal management, and structural qualification for compute and power electronics operating in the harsh environment of Low Earth Orbit. You will lead a team of mechanical engineers and work closely with electrical, thermal, and spacecraft systems teams to deliver robust, high-performance compute flight hardware ready for orbit. Previous experience driving end-to-end mechanical development of electronics packaging or compute hardware for space or high-reliability applications in a fast-paced environment is required.

Responsibilities:

• Own the mechanical architecture of space-based compute hardware, including chassis, PCB retention, connector interfaces, and thermal management, from concept through production
• Perform system-level trade studies on packaging, mass, and thermal performance to optimize compute hardware architecture
• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, setting technical direction, review standards, and execution pace
• Define and own interfaces and technical budgets for compute and power electronics assemblies
• Drive structural and thermal analysis efforts, working with analysts to validate designs against requirements
• Develop and maintain mechanical drawings, GD&T specifications, and ICDs for internal manufacture and external vendors
• Define and execute mechanical integration and test plans, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum)
• Represent the mechanical team in design reviews and system-level discussions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, thermal, and spacecraft teams to ensure compatibility at all mechanical and thermal interfaces

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering for flight hardware in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics programs
• Demonstrated experience as the technical lead or authority on the mechanical design of electronics enclosures or compute hardware for space or high-reliability applications
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, Solidworks, or equivalent) and engineering drawing/GD&T
• Experience with structural analysis and thermal modeling tools
• Experience taking flight hardware through environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum)
• Strong understanding of thermal management approaches for high-power electronics in vacuum environments
• Experience managing direct reports or leading a technical team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering
• 8+ years of experience developing flight hardware for space or defense programs
• Experience with conduction-cooled electronics packaging or cold plate design for space flight hardware
• Experience with liquid cooling solutions for flight hardware
• Familiarity with high-power compute or GPU hardware packaging and associated thermal constraints
• Experience with radiation design considerations for electronics operating in LEO
• Experience with deployable or articulating power or thermal structures
• Hands-on experience with flight hardware integration and test in a lab or cleanroom environment
• Prior experience as a technical lead or engineering manager on a flight program

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $225,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.