Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Build a Rocket Factory

Cowboy Space Corp.; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 188,000; 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

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to build a rocket engine factory from scratch, defining how hardware is produced and inspected, selecting equipment, and establishing process flow.

You will lead DFM and manufacturing concepts across multiple components, owning build documentation, tooling, and supplier coordination to deliver repeatable production and reliable cycle times.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing principles, including proficiency with GD&T per ASME Y14.5, tolerance stack analysis, and dimensional inspection techniques such as CMM, Faro Arm, Blue Light Scan, and manual inspection.
• Demonstrated hands-on ownership of build and assembly processes on the manufacturing floor.
• Proficiency in CAD.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to facilitate and resolve challenging technical discussions.
• Experience evaluating and dispositioning nonconforming hardware and developing detailed rework or repair plans.

Responsibilities

• Define the manufacturing concept of operations (CONOPS) and the design-for-manufacturability (DFM) strategy for your hardware, covering production methods, equipment selection, and build sequence.
• Bring a culture of creativity to every design and manufacturing challenge, own each fix or improvement with true accountability, and see it through to completion.
• Support facility layout and planning. Identify, specify, and purchase capital equipment. Afterward, install, integrate, and qualify the equipment.
• Design tooling and fixtures to support all processes from machining, welding, assembly, to handling and transport.
• Lead the process qualification plan for your hardware in partnership with Materials & Processes and Quality teams. Manage supplier interactions for externally routed parts and processes, including process capability and first article inspections.
• Oversee the qualification of new processes brought in-house.
• Author all build documentation for your hardware including routings, work instructions, process specifications, and the manufacturing bill of materials. Use engineering judgment to determine the necessary level of detail for each step based on hardware maturity and design fidelity.
• Own your hardware’s delivery, build cycle time, yield, and rate readiness. Identify and resolve constraints, then scale the process from first article to repeatable production.
• Ensure configuration and pedigree are tracked throughout the entire build and test process. Manage the disposition of nonconforming hardware, lead rework and repair efforts, resolve root causes, and oversee nonconformance reports from creation to closure.
• Mentor team members within and outside the manufacturing engineering group.

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to build a rocket engine factory from scratch, defining how hardware is produced and inspected, selecting equipment, and establishing process flow.

You will lead DFM and manufacturing concepts across multiple components, owning build documentation, tooling, and supplier coordination to deliver repeatable production and reliable cycle times.