Lead Propulsion Analyst

Cowboy Space Corp.; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

10 paid holidays per calendar year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. in Seattle, WA is seeking a Lead Propulsion Analyst to lead and support advanced engineering simulations across structural, fluid, and thermal disciplines.

You will develop, maintain, and enforce modeling standards for FEA, CFD, and thermal analyses, collaborating with hardware and test teams to ensure accuracy, verification, and validation while meeting aggressive schedules. The role requires strong multiphysics expertise and a hands-on approach, with opportunities for equity

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical, aerospace, or related field.
• Strong experience with engineering simulation and numerical analysis methods.
• Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks.
• Proficiency in ANSYS and/or Thermal Desktop.
• Solid understanding of engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Perform static, thermal, dynamic, and fatigue analyses for rocket engine and vehicle.
• Collaborate across engine component design cycles.
• Ensure model predictions reflect real-world conditions with hands-on validation.
• Work with hardware and test teams to anchor models and drive design improvements.
• Produce quality documentation to improve efficiency and reduce miss-rate.

Skills

Engineering simulation

Numerical analysis

Thermal/fluid networks

ANSYS

Thermal Desktop

Engineering fundamentals

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Applied Physics, or related field

Tools

ANSYS

Thermal Desktop

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), 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

Our Propulsion team is seeking a highly skilled Lead Propulsion Analyst to lead and support advanced engineering simulation efforts across structural, fluid, and thermal disciplines. This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and enforcing modeling standards and best practices for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and thermal analysis activities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong multiphysics simulation expertise, a deep understanding of numerical methods, and experience establishing engineering analysis standards that ensure consistency, accuracy, verification, and validation. This position is located onsite in Seattle WA.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, document, and present static, thermal, dynamic, and fatigue analyses for rocket engine and vehicle through state of the art modelling (FEA, CFD and thermal) and first principles to ensure performance requirements are met
• Collaborate in driving necessary analyses throughout engine component design cycles
• Ensure model predictions are grounded in reality through a practical hands‑on approach
• Work closely with hardware and test teams to drive model anchoring and design improvements
• Produce quality documentation of your work to reduce miss-rate and improve efficiency

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Applied Physics, or related field.
• Strong experience with engineering simulation and numerical analysis methods
• Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks
• Proficient in simulation platforms like ANSYS and/or Thermal Desktop
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing enterprise‑level simulation standards and engineering processes.
• Familiarity with aerospace, defense, automotive, energy or industrial certification environments.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages (specifically Python)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $200,000 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

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all‑inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.

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.