Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement saving plan

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Daily lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is looking for a highly motivated Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer based in Seattle, WA. In this role, you will develop and analyze spacecraft trajectories and support mission design while working with flight software teams.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field, strong analytical skills, and experience with orbital mechanics. Competitive compensation includes a salary range of $150,000 to $200,000 annually, equity, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or applied physics.
• Experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, and simulation.
• Familiarity with mission analysis and software development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories.
• Perform orbital propagation and station-keeping analysis.
• Support mission design including launch window analysis.

Skills

Orbital mechanics

Python software development

Classical dynamics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering

Tools

STK

Astrogator

GMAT

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:

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer to support the development, analysis, and validation of advanced aerospace systems. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with hands‑on simulation and systems engineering experience to support mission design, flight dynamics, and autonomous control system development. This position is located onsite in Seattle WA.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and analyze launch vehicle and spacecraft trajectories, including ascent, orbit insertion, and orbital maneuvers

• Perform orbital propagation and station‑keeping analysis for spacecraft operations

• Support mission design including launch window analysis, delta‑V budgets, and contingency planning

• Interface with flight software and GNC teams to validate and optimize guidance profiles

• Contribute to development of in‑house simulation tools and flight dynamics infrastructure

• Engage in multi‑disciplinary vehicle systems investigations to motivate mission design, vehicle architecture, and analysis methodologies

• Develop and evaluate flight termination system mission rules

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Space Systems, or Software Engineering, or an equivalent Engineering or Applied Physics degree.

• Experience with orbital mechanics, classical dynamics, modeling, and simulation

• Mission analysis with STK, Astrogator, GMAT, Monte, Copernicus, or equivalent.

• Python software development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, hypersonics, UAVs, or defense systems

• Orbit determination analysis with ODTK, Orekit, or equivalent

• Team and/or software project management experience

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.

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.