Lead Mechanical Engineer, Space Laser Communications

Cowboy Space Corporation; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

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,

snacks

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads, spanning opto‑mechanical packaging, pointing systems, and thermal interfaces.

You will lead a team of mechanical engineers, set technical direction, and manage interfaces and budgets, collaborating with optical, laser, electrical, and spacecraft engineers to ensure a flight‑ready system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering for flight hardware in aerospace or defense programs.
• Demonstrated experience as the technical lead on the mechanical design of complex flight hardware.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and GD&T.
• Experience with structural analysis and thermal modeling tools.
• Experience taking flight hardware through environmental qualification (vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum).
• Experience managing direct reports or leading a technical team.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads, including opto-mechanical structures, pointing systems, thermal interfaces, and harness routing, from concept through production.
• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, setting technical direction, review standards, and execution pace.
• Define and own interfaces and technical budgets across the laser comm payload.
• 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).
• Perform system-level trade studies on packaging, mass, and structural performance to optimize the payload architecture.
• Represent the mechanical team in design reviews and system-level discussions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, laser, electrical, and spacecraft teams to ensure compatibility at all mechanical interfaces.

Skills

Leadership

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX CAD

SolidWorks

GD&T

Thermal modeling tools

Structural analysis tools

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads, spanning opto‑mechanical packaging, pointing systems, and thermal interfaces.

You will lead a team of mechanical engineers, set technical direction, and manage interfaces and budgets, collaborating with optical, laser, electrical, and spacecraft engineers to ensure a flight‑ready system.