Senior Mechanical Lead: Space Laser Payloads

Cowboy Space Corp.; 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 plan

Paid time off

10 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Lunch in office

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is developing a laser communications payload in Low Earth Orbit. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will own the mechanical architecture, drive trade studies, and manage a team of engineers across opto-mechanical packaging, thermal interfaces, and harness routing.

You will collaborate with optical, laser, thermal, and systems engineers to deliver flight-ready hardware, from concept through qualification and production, ensuring reliability in high-stress space environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience on flight hardware in aerospace/defense.
• Demonstrated lead/authoritative role on complex electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical flight hardware.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX/SolidWorks) and GD&T drawings.
• Experience with structural analysis and thermal modeling; flight hardware environmental qualification.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of laser communications payloads from concept through production.
• Lead and mentor a team of mechanical engineers, setting direction and pace.
• Define interfaces and budgets across the laser comm payload.
• Drive structural and thermal analysis with analysts to validate designs.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Technical lead

Team leadership

Flight hardware experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

GD&T

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is developing a laser communications payload in Low Earth Orbit. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will own the mechanical architecture, drive trade studies, and manage a team of engineers across opto-mechanical packaging, thermal interfaces, and harness routing.

You will collaborate with optical, laser, thermal, and systems engineers to deliver flight-ready hardware, from concept through qualification and production, ensuring reliability in high-stress space environments.