Senior Loads and Dynamics Engineer

Cowboy Space; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; 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 year

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in the office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a senior loads and dynamics engineer to own the vehicle loads discipline across ascent, stage separation, entry, landing, and reuse.

You will define the modeling approach, establish standards, and mentor engineers to raise the bar for the discipline. You will deliver validated load sets, perform CLA with multi-discipline inputs, and correlate models against test and flight data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.
• 8+ years in loads, structural dynamics, or vibration analysis for flight hardware.
• Proven ownership of load cases and environments for flight vehicles.
• Ability to correlate models with test/flight data and adjust methods.

Responsibilities

• Own the vehicle loads discipline: quasi-static, transient, and dynamic loads.
• Establish methods, tools, and standards for loads and dynamics.
• Build and maintain structural dynamic models and reconcile with data.
• Define environments for components and payloads (vibration, shock, acoustics).
• Perform CLA and integrate inputs from propulsion, aero, GNC, and structure.
• Deliver load sets and interface requirements to teams; mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Loads & dynamics

Dynamic analysis

Modal analysis

Vibration analysis

Mentoring engineers

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace, Mechanical or related

Advanced engineering degree

Tools

Adams

LS-DYNA

Python

MATLAB

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

Serve as the technical authority for the loads and dynamic environments that define what the vehicle must survive. You'll own the load cases and dynamic models that drive structural sizing across ascent, stage separation, entry, landing, and reuse. As a senior individual contributor, you'll set the methodology, make the judgment calls on where to add fidelity and where to move fast, and raise the bar for the discipline by mentoring engineers and driving decisions across teams: ensuring the vehicle is neither over-built nor under-designed for the environments it actually sees.

Responsibilities

• Own the vehicle loads as the discipline lead: quasi-static, transient, and dynamic load cases across ground handling, ascent, separation, entry, landing, and reuse.

• Establish the methods, tools, and standards the loads and dynamics discipline works to.

• Build and maintain structural dynamic models (FEM, modal, coupled loads) and reconcile them with test and flight data.

• Define vibration, shock, acoustic, and random-vibe environments for components, mechanisms, and payloads.

• Perform coupled loads analysis (CLA) and integrate propulsion, aero, GNC, and structural inputs into a consistent load set.

• Deliver clear, timely load sets and interface requirements to structures, mechanisms, and propulsion teams.

• Assess flutter, buffet, slosh, and other aeroelastic/coupled dynamic phenomena.

• Support test planning and correlation—modal surveys, static and dynamic test campaigns—and update models from results.

• Investigate anomalies and reconstruct flight loads from telemetry to improve future load predictions.

• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across the structures and mechanisms teams.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related engineering field.

• 8+ years of experience in loads, structural dynamics, or vibration analysis for flight hardware or high-performance systems.

• Deep proficiency with finite element modeling and dynamic analysis (modal, transient, frequency response).

• Demonstrated ownership of load cases and environments that drove the structural design of a flight vehicle or major system.

• Proven ability to correlate models against test or flight data and adjust methodology accordingly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field.

• Experience with launch vehicles or reusable flight systems.

• Hands-on experience owning coupled loads analysis (CLA) campaigns.

• Familiarity with aeroelasticity (flutter, buffet) and coupled phenomena.

• Experience defining and correlating vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.

• Proficiency with tools such as Adams, LS-DYNA, or equivalent, plus scripting (Python/MATLAB) for load-set processing and automation.

• Experience supporting structural test campaigns and modal surveys.

• Track record of mentoring engineers and setting technical direction without formal authority.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $160,000 – $220,000 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.